Endoscopic implantable device and method for the apposition of the stomach walls for reducing the stomach internal volume in a weight loss surgery procedure

Abstract

The present invention is referred to an endoscopic implantable device for the apposition of the stomach walls for reducing the stomach internal volume, comprising a cylindrical elongated body comprising two hinged halves, each of which having a plurality of suction nozzles and a set of aligned grabbing teeth. Said suction nozzles have a fluid communication with a suction port of the endoscopic apparatus used to place said device into the patient's stomach, and the mentioned teeth of each half cooperate between each other to grab and keep the walls of the stomach together until the device is dissolved by the gastric fluids present in the stomach. The purposed invention also comprises a method for joining internal body tissue.

1 . Endoscopic implantable device for the apposition of the stomach walls for reducing the stomach internal volume, comprising an elongated endoscopic tube at the distal end of which an apposition means is attached, and at the external end means for managing said apposition means are included; said endoscopic tube also includes a vacuum channel connectable to a pump capable of creating a vacuum effect on the distal end, and said apposition means comprising a body releasably attached to the distal end of said flexible tube, including two hinged halves, each halve with a double wall that creates an internal chamber in fluid communication with the vacuum channel of the elongated tube; the internal side of each halve has a plurality of suction nozzles in fluid communication with said chamber, and a set of grabbing teeth. 
     
     
         2 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein said body has a cylindrical elongated shape. 
     
     
         3 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein said set of grabbing teeth projects from the outer edge of each halve of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 3 , wherein said teeth are separated between each other, defining a small space. 
     
     
         5 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 4 , wherein said space is occupied by the teeth of the other halve when the device is in its closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 3 , wherein each tooth is sharpened to allow the teeth to punch the walls of the stomach. 
     
     
         7 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein a suction effect on each nozzle is created when the suction port of the endoscopic device is connected to an external pump. 
     
     
         8 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tube includes securing means with which the endoscopic device may be attached and detached from the elongated tube. 
     
     
         9 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 7 , wherein the securing means includes a fluid communication channel to communicate the internal chamber with the suction port of the elongated tube. 
     
     
         10 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tube includes a mechanical means to open and close said halves. 
     
     
         11 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the whole endoscopic implantable device is made of biodegradable material. 
     
     
         12 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the whole endoscopic implantable device is made of different sizes. 
     
     
         13 . The endoscopic implantable device of  claim 1 , wherein the whole endoscopic implantable device is made of plastic material. 
     
     
         14 . Method for the apposition of the stomach walls endoscopically comprising:
 a) navigating a distal end of an endoscopic apposition device to a treatment site, the apposition device having a body with two hinged halves, each halve with a double wall that creates an internal chamber in fluid communication with a suction port of the elongated tube; the internal side of each halve has a plurality of suction nozzles in fluid communication with said chamber, and a set of grabbing teeth disposed on the outer edge of the device, and a hold and release mechanism;   b) advancing the device inside the stomach;   c) opening said halves exposing the suction nozzles to the inner walls of the stomach,   d) putting fluid communication in said nozzles with the vacuum means of the elongated tube;   e) applying vacuum to the internal chamber until the wall of the stomach is attached to the inner walls of said halves;   f) closing the device by punching the teeth to the stomach tissue, and securing the portion of tissue together;   g) detaching the endoscopic apposition device from the elongated tube; and   h) taking the device out of the patient's body.   
     
     
         15 . Method for the apposition of the stomach walls endoscopically of  claim 14 , wherein the whole endoscopic implantable device is made of biodegradable material. 
     
     
         16 . Method for joining internal body tissue endoscopically, comprising:
 a) navigating a distal end of an endoscopic apposition device to a treatment site, the apposition device having a body with two hinged halves, having each halve a double wall that creates an internal chamber in fluid communication with a suction port of the elongated tube; the internal side of each halve has a plurality of suction nozzles in fluid communication with said chamber, and a set of grabbing teeth disposed on the outer edge of the device, and a hold and release mechanism;   b) advancing the device inside the body of the patient endoscopically;   c) opening said halves exposing the suction nozzles to the inner walls of the tissue to be joined,   d) putting fluid communication in said nozzles with the vacuum means of the elongated tube;   e) applying vacuum to the internal chamber until the tissue to be joined is attached to the inner walls of said halves;   f) closing the device by punching the teeth to the tissue, and securing the portion of tissue together;   g) detaching the endoscopic apposition device from the elongated tube; and   h) taking the device out of the patient's body.   
     
     
         17 . Method for joining internal body tissue endoscopically of  claim 16 , wherein the tissue to be joined is a fistula. 
     
     
         18 . Method for joining internal body tissue endoscopically of  claim 16 , wherein the tissue to be joined is a perforated portion of a stomach. 
     
     
         19 . Method for joining internal body tissue endoscopically of  claim 16 , wherein the whole endoscopic implantable device is made of biodegradable material. 
     
     
         20 . Method for joining internal body tissue endoscopically of  claim 16 , wherein the whole endoscopic implantable device is made of different sizes.