Systems, devices, and related methods for retracting tissue

Abstract

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a tissue retraction system may include a first anchor, a second anchor, and an elongate coupling member extending between the first anchor and the second anchor. The system also may include a holder for receiving the first anchor, the second anchor, and the elongate coupling element. The holder may include a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion may have a smaller width than the proximal portion such that the distal portion exerts a force on a proximal end of the first anchor during deployment of the first anchor from the holder. The force may move the first anchor into an open configuration for receiving tissue.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tissue traction system, comprising:
 a stretchable tether having a first end and a second end;   a first tissue engagement member engaging the first end of the stretchable tether; and   a second tissue engagement member engaging the second end of the stretchable tether;   wherein at least one of the first and second tissue engagement members is configured to engage an end of both the stretchable tether and tissue.   
     
     
         2 . The tissue traction system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the first and second tissue engagement members has a first end engaging an end of the stretchable tether and a second end engaging tissue. 
     
     
         3 . The tissue traction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first end of the stretchable tether is attached to the first tissue engagement member;   the second end of the stretchable tether is attached to the second tissue engagement member; and   both the first tissue engagement member and the second tissue engagement member are configured to grasp tissue.   
     
     
         4 . The tissue traction system of  claim 1 , wherein the other of the at least one of the first and second tissue engagement members engages tissue via a third tissue engagement member engaging tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The tissue traction system of  claim 1 , wherein the other of the at least one of the first and second tissue engagement members is coupled to engage the stretchable tether via an eyelet. 
     
     
         6 . The tissue traction system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second tissue engagement members has jaws for engaging tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The tissue traction system of  claim 6 , wherein the tether is coupled to an end of the at least one of the first and second tissue engagement members extending away from the jaws. 
     
     
         8 . The tissue traction system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first tissue engagement member comprises a first anchor coupled to the first end of the stretchable tether and having a fastener configured to engage tissue; and   the second tissue engagement member comprises a second anchor coupled to the second end of the stretchable tether and having a fastener configured to engage tissue.   
     
     
         9 . The tissue traction system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one of the first and second tissue engagement members is a tissue clip having jaws. 
     
     
         10 . A tissue traction system, comprising:
 a stretchable tether having a first end and a second end;   a first anchor coupled to the first end of the stretchable tether and having a fastener configured to engage tissue; and   an engagement element comprising a loop at the second end of the stretchable tether and engageable by a second anchor.   
     
     
         11 . The tissue traction system of  claim 10 , further comprising a second anchor coupled to the loop at the second end of the stretchable tether and having a fastener configured to engage tissue. 
     
     
         12 . The tissue traction system of  claim 10 , wherein the stretchable tether comprises a rubber band including at least one loop in addition to the loop of the engagement element. 
     
     
         13 . The tissue traction system of  claim 10 , wherein the stretchable tether comprises a rubber band including at least one loop. 
     
     
         14 . A tissue traction system, comprising:
 an elongated tether having a first end and a second end;   a first tissue anchor coupling the first end of the elongated tether to tissue; and   a second tissue anchor coupling the second end of the elongated tether to tissue via a stretchable element capable of exerting a biasing force on the elongated tether.   
     
     
         15 . The tissue traction system of  claim 14 , wherein the elongated tether is stretchable. 
     
     
         16 . The tissue traction system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one of the anchor or stretchable element comprises one of a: loop, eyelet, or hook. 
     
     
         17 . The tissue traction system of  claim 14 , wherein the stretchable element is an anchor deployed separately from the elongated tether. 
     
     
         18 . The tissue traction system of  claim 14 , further comprising a third tissue anchor comprising a stretchable element, the third tissue anchor spaced apart from the second tissue element. 
     
     
         19 . The tissue traction system of  claim 18 , wherein the vector of force applied to the elongated tether when coupled to the third tissue anchor is different from the vector of force applied to the elongated tether when coupled to the second tissue anchor. 
     
     
         20 . The tissue retraction system according to  claim 19 , wherein the elongated tether and the first anchor are deployable separately from the second anchor.