Closure device and method

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for ligating a hemorrhoidal blood vessel for treatment of hemorrhoids. An exemplary apparatus includes a housing having a distal end insertable into the rectum, an ultrasound sensor, suction channel, and suction port on the distal end; and a compression clip, proximate to the suction port and having two clip arms displaceable from each other, the compression clip having an open configuration within the housing yet biased towards a closed configuration, and wherein the compression clip is deployable in the open configuration and configured to close and compress a tissue segment.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus for ligating hemorrhoidal arteries for treatment of hemorrhoids comprising:
 a housing extending along a longitudinal axis and having a distal end insertable into a rectum of a subject;   a suction chamber carried on the housing and defining an open cavity for creating a tissue fold through suction, the suction chamber configured to receive one or more clips deployable to compress and ligate a hemorrhoidal artery;   an ultrasound sensor proximal to the suction chamber and configured to locate a hemorrhoidal artery;   a first control configured to be operable by a user outside the rectum of the subject to activate suction in the suction chamber; and   a second control configured to be operable by the user outside the rectum of the subject to deploy the one or more clips to compress and ligate the hemorrhoidal artery.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the ultrasound sensor comprises a Doppler sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the suction chamber includes a suction port. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the suction port is located at a fixed longitudinal position along the longitudinal axis in relation to the ultrasound sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the suction port is oriented flush with a side of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the suction chamber is carried on a distal end of the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a compression clip configured to be received by the suction chamber and deployed by operation of the second control, the compression clip having two clip arms displaceable from each other. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the clip arms angularly close when deployed. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising internally opposing jaws coupled to the clip arms. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the compression clip comprises blocks at ends of the clip arms. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the blocks are toothed. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the clip arms are removable from the blocks. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the blocks are bioabsorbable. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the compression clip is biased closed and held open until deployment by the second control. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the compression clip comprises wire stock. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the compression clip comprises Nitinol. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the compression clip comprises one or more prongs. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more clips are deliverable in a direction parallel to a long-axis of the tissue fold. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more clips are deployable to at least partially pinch a base of the tissue fold. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a handle at the proximal end of the housing, the handle including the first control and the second control.