Gastric bypass system and method

Abstract

A system and method for treating obesity including a first instrument containing a first magnet therein, the first instrument insertable into a stomach of a patient and the first magnet deployable into the stomach of the patient and having a first space. A second instrument contains a second magnet therein, the second instrument insertable into a bowel of a patient and the second magnet deployable into the bowel of the patient and having a second space. A stent is insertable into the first and second spaces to maintain an opening formed between the stomach and bowel.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of treating obesity in a patient, the method comprising:
 inserting a first endoscope into the patient's stomach;   inserting a second endoscope into the patient's bowel;   inserting an approximating device into the patient's stomach through the first endoscope;   puncturing the patient's stomach and the patient's bowel with the approximating device;   retracting the approximating device to thereby approximate the patient's bowel and the patient's stomach;   inserting a first magnet into the patient's stomach through the first endoscope;   inserting a second magnet into the patient's bowel through the second endoscope such that the second magnet is magnetically connected to the first magnet through the patient's stomach and the patient's bowel;   inserting a cutting device through the first endoscope;   removing stomach and bowel tissue between the first magnet and the second magnet to thereby form an opening between the patient's stomach and the patient's bowel;   inserting a stent through the first endoscope; and   positioning the stent within the opening between the patient's stomach and the patient's bowel.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein puncturing the patient's stomach and the patient's bowel includes passing a needle through the patient's stomach and the patient's bowel. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein puncturing the patient's stomach and the patient's bowel includes positioning an engagement member carried by the needle in contact with the patient's bowel. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein positioning the engagement member in contact with the patient's bowel includes orienting a T-bar within the patient's bowel such that the T-bar is positioned transversely in relation to the needle. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein retracting the approximating device includes pulling the engagement member proximally into contact with the patient's bowel. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein inserting the stent through the first endoscope includes inserting a sheath through the first endoscope, the stent being positioned within the sheath. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein positioning the stent within the opening between the patient's stomach and the patient's bowel includes exposing the stent from the sheath. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein inserting the first magnet into the patient's stomach includes reconfiguring the first magnet from a generally linear configuration to curved configuration such that the first magnet defines an opening. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein inserting the second magnet into the patient's bowel includes reconfiguring the second magnet from a generally linear configuration to curved configuration such that the second magnet defines an opening. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein removing the stomach and bowel tissue between the first magnet and the second magnet includes passing the cutting device through the opening in the first magnet and through the opening in the second magnet. 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating obesity comprising:
 inserting a first endoscope into a first tissue region;   inserting a second endoscope into a second tissue region;   puncturing the first tissue region and the second tissue region using an approximating device inserted through one of the first endoscope and the second endoscope;   retracting the approximating device to thereby position the first tissue region and the second tissue region in adjacent relation;   magnetically connecting the first tissue region and the second tissue region via insertion of a first magnet into the first tissue region through the first endoscope and insertion of a second magnet into the second tissue region through the second endoscope;   forming an opening between the first tissue region and the second tissue region by removing tissue between the first magnet and the second magnet using a cutting device inserted through one of the first endoscope and the second endoscope; and   inserting a stent into the opening between the first tissue region and the second tissue region through one of the first endoscope and the second endoscope.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein puncturing the first tissue region and the second tissue region includes passing a needle from the first tissue region into the second tissue region. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein puncturing the first tissue region and the second tissue region includes deploying an engagement member carried by the needle such that the engagement member contacts the second tissue region. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein retracting the approximating device includes pulling the engagement member proximally to thereby pull the second tissue region into contact with the first tissue region. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein forming the opening between the first tissue region and the second tissue region includes passing the cutting device through annular openings in the first magnet and the second magnet. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein inserting the stent into the opening between the first tissue region and the second tissue region includes deploying the stent from a sheath. 
     
     
         37 . A system for treating obesity, the system comprising:
 a) a first endoscope configured to receive a first magnet;   b) a second endoscope configured to receive a second magnet;   c) a tissue approximating device configured for movement through the first endoscope, the tissue approximating device including:
 a needle; and 
 a tissue engagement member carried by the needle; 
   d) a cutting device configured for movement through the first endoscope; and   e) a stent delivery device configured for movement through the first endoscope, the stent delivery device including:
 a sheath; and 
 a stent deployable positioned within the sheath, wherein the first endoscope further includes a plurality of working channels configured to receive the first magnet, the tissue approximating device, the cutting device, and the stent delivery device such that the first magnet, the tissue approximating device, the cutting device, and the stent delivery device are each insertable into an internal working space within a patient without removing the first endoscope from the patient. 
   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are each reconfigurable between a first configuration, in which the first magnet and the second magnet are each generally linear, and a second configuration, in which the first magnet and the second magnet are each generally annular. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of working channels includes:
 a first working channel configured to receive the first magnet;   a second working channel configured to receive the tissue approximating device;   a third working channel configured to receive the cutting device; and   a fourth working channel configured to receive the stent delivery device.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the tissue engagement member is repositionable between a first position, in which the tissue engagement member is oriented in generally parallel relation to the needle, and a second position, in which the tissue engagement member is oriented transversely in relation to the needle.