Stapler for endoscopes

Abstract

A stapling device for a surgical endoscopic device provided with at least one flexible portion, comprising a staple-firing portion and an anvil portion, wherein one of the staple firing portions and one of the anvil portions are located longitudinally displaced from one another along the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic device, with at least a part of said flexible portion between them. The parts of the stapling device are in correct working relationship when one or more alignment and/or locking pins or screws that are stored in one of the staple firing portions or one of the anvil portions are extended and engage and lock or screw into receptacles that have been provided on the other of the staple firing portion or of the anvil portion.

1 . A device for performing an endoscopic surgical procedure, comprising an articulation system constructed from at least one moveable joint wherein the articulation system is configured to bend by up to 270° and articulates around the at least one movable joint with a fixed bending radius in one direction only. 
     
     
         2 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the surgical procedure is a fundoplication. 
     
     
         3 . A device according to  claim 1 , further provided with clamping means actuatably coupled to the articulation system. 
     
     
         4 . A device according to  claim 1 , further provided with means actuatably coupled to the articulation system for approximation of a first layer of tissue to a second layer of tissue. 
     
     
         5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the device is an endoscopic apparatus comprising an optical system. 
     
     
         6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said device is part of a system that comprises another device that provides an optical system. 
     
     
         7 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein the surgical procedure is a fundoplication of a fundus of a stomach and the device further comprises means, coupled to the articulation system, for clamping the fundus of the stomach to an esophagus. 
     
     
         8 . A device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a surgical fastener ejecting apparatus disposed along a first portion the device and a tissue support disposed at a second portion of the device, the tissue support being positionable opposite the surgical fastener ejecting apparatus upon articulation around the at least one movable joint at the fixed radius. 
     
     
         9 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the tissue support defines a void in the tissue support configured to receive at least a portion of a surgical fastener. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 8 , further comprising a surgical fastener in the surgical fastener ejecting apparatus. 
     
     
         11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein the surgical fastener is a surgical staple and the tissue support is an anvil. 
     
     
         12 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the tissue support is an anvil. 
     
     
         13 . A device according to  claim 8 , wherein the tissue support is a non-tissue-penetrating support. 
     
     
         14 . A device according to  claim 9 , wherein the tissue support is a non tissue-penetrating support. 
     
     
         15 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein the tissue support is a non-tissue-penetrating support. 
     
     
         16 . A method for treating GERD comprising the steps of plicating a first portion of a fundus and fastening the first portion of the fundus in a plicated position with at least one surgical fastener(s) using a device provided with an articulation system constructed from at least one moveable joint wherein the articulation system is configured to bend by up to 270° and articulates around the at least one movable joint with a fixed bending radius in one direction only. 
     
     
         17 . A method for treating GERD of  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of plicating a second portion of the fundus and fastening the second portion of the fundus in another plicated position with at least one additional surgical fastener(s) using the device provided with the articulation system constructed from at least one moveable joint wherein the articulation system is configured to bend by up to 270° and articulates around the at least one movable joint with a fixed bending radius in one direction only. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the device non-penetratingly pushes the first portion of the fundus towards the esophagus. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the first portion of the fundus is fastened to the esophagus. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the second portion of the fundus is fastened to the esophagus. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
 (a) engaging the first portion of the fundus with the device provided with the articulation system constructed from at least one moveable joint wherein the articulation system is configured to bend by up to 270° and articulates around the at least one movable joint with a fixed bending radius in one direction only and   (b) moving at least a portion of the device to push the fundus from its original position to a position near the lower esophagus.