Transoral endoscopic gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device, assembly, system and method

Abstract

The invention provides a device, assembly, and method for transoral endoscopic restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve. The invention also provides a self-steering and self-closing tissue fixation device for tissue fixation and an invaginator device for gripping and maneuvering tissue. The restoration device includes a longitudinal member arranged for transoral placement into a stomach, a tissue shaper carried on the longitudinal member that causes stomach tissue to assume a shape related to a gastroesophageal flap, and a tissue fixation device that maintains the shaped stomach tissue in a shape approximating a gastroesophageal flap. The tissue shaper may include a mold. The device may include the invaginator device for gripping and maneuvering esophageal tissue to aid restoration of the gastroesophageal flap, and may include the tissue fixation device.

1 - 70 . (canceled) 
     
     
         71 . A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device, comprising:
 a longitudinal member having sufficient flexibility to be delivered through the esophageal tract;   a tissue holding element coupled to the longitudinal member, the tissue holding element being sized and configured to hold a fold of tissue including a portion of the esophageal tract and a portion of the stomach;   a tissue gripping element to grip tissue in the esophageal tract, the tissue gripping element having a vacuum orifice positioned proximal to the tissue holding element so that the vacuum orifice grips the esophageal tract proximal to the fold of tissue when the tissue holding element holds the fold of tissue; and   an attachment element configured to attach the portion of the esophageal tract to the portion of the stomach held by the tissue holding element.   
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein
 the tissue gripping element is movable relative to the tissue holding element.   
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein
 the tissue holding element is movable toward the patient's feet while the gripping element grips the tissue in the esophageal tract.