IP Library Granted Patent US 6,921,361
Granted Patent B2
US 6,921,361 · App. 09/909,980 · Granted Jul 26, 2005

Endoscopic instrument for forming an artificial valve

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,921,361
App. No.
09/909,980
Granted
Jul 26, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

The holding device of the endoscope allows suspension of the tissue while it is held and fixed securely. Use of holding device with large distal ends will not damage tissue and allows holding and suspension of a large area. A needle pierces at least the proper muscularis, thereby forming a large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus as artificial valve to prevent reflux effectively. The holding device, formed extending out of the distal end of the endoscope, can touch the tissue easily under observation of the endoscope. Treatment is simple, and takes a shorter time.

Claims (51)

1. An apparatus for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising:

a first endoscope that has an observation system and that is adapted to be orally inserted into a body cavity;

a holding device extending out of a distal end of the first endoscope, the holding device comprising a distal end portion adapted to hold a point of a digestive wall of the body cavity where the artificial valve is to be formed , and an elongated portion that passes through a first channel provided in the first endoscope;

a first needle that is moveable relative to the first endoscope for penetrating the digestive wall;

a second needle positioned beside and spaced apart by a distance from the first needle;

a suture adapted to pass through type digestive wall following the first needle;

a suture retaining device having a grasping section adapted to grasp the suture after the suture has passed through the digestive wall, wherein the suture retaining device is adapted to pull the suture out from the body cavity; and

a knot pushing device adapted to move a knot of the suture, which is formed outside the body cavity after the suture has been pulled out from the body cavity by the suture retaining device, into the body cavity.

2. An apparatus for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising:

a first endoscope that has an observation system and that is adapted to be orally inserted into a body cavity;

a holding device extending out of a distal end of the first endoscope, the holding device comprising a distal end portion adapted to hold a point of a digestive wall of the body cavity where the artificial valve is to be formed, and an elongated portion that passes through a first channel provided in the first endoscope;

a first needle that is moveable relative to the first endoscope for penetrating the digestive wall;

a second needle positioned beside and spaced apart by a distance from the first needle;

a suture adapted to pass through the digestive wall following the first needle; and

a second endoscope, wherein the first needle and the second needle are disposed on an outer periphery of the second endoscope.

3. An apparatus for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising:

a first endoscope that has an observation system and that is adapted to be orally inserted into a body cavity;

a holding device extending out of a distal end of the first endoscope, the holding device comprising a distal end portion adapted to hold a point of a digestive wall of the body cavity where the artificial valve is to be formed, and an elongated portion that passes through a first channel provided in the first endoscope;

a first needle that is moveable relative to the first endoscope for penetrating the digestive wall;

a second needle positioned beside and spaced apart by a distance from the first needle;

a suture adapted to pass through the digestive wall following the first needle;

a suture retaining device having a grasping section adapted to grasp the suture after the suture has passed through the digestive wall; and

a guide member having a through hole provided side by side with the holding device;

wherein the suture retaining device is moveable in the through hole of the guide member.

4. An apparatus for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising:

a first endoscope that has an observation system and that is adapted to be orally inserted into a body cavity;

a holding device extending out of a distal end of the first endoscope, the holding device comprising a distal end portion adapted to hold a point of a digestive wall of the body cavity where the artificial valve is to be formed, and an elongated portion that passes through a first channel provided in the first endoscope;

a first needle that is moveable relative to the first endoscope for penetrating the digestive wall;

a second needle positioned beside and spaced apart by a distance from the first needle;

a suture adapted to pass through the digestive wall following the first needle; and

a second endoscope, wherein the first needle extends from a distal end of the second endoscope.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the second needle extends from the distal end of the second endoscope.

6. An apparatus for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising:

an endoscope that has an observation system and that is adapted to be orally inserted into a body cavity;

a holding device extending out of a distal end of the endoscope, the holding device comprising a distal end portion adapted to hold a point of a digestive wall of the body cavity where the artificial valve is to be formed, and an elongated portion that passes through a first channel provided in the endoscope;

a first needle that is movable relative to the endoscope for penetrating the digestive wall; and

a suture adapted to pass through the digestive wall following the first needle;

wherein the endoscope comprises:

an elongated insertion section;

a handle section; and

an opening through which the first needle extends provided at a position on a proximal side of the distal end of the endoscope; and

wherein the observation system comprises an optical system provided at each of the distal end and a portion near the opening of the endoscope.

7. An apparatus for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising:

a first endoscope that has an observation system and that is adapted to be orally inserted into a body cavity;

a holding device extending out of a distal end of the first endoscope, the holding device comprising a distal end portion adapted to hold a point of a digestive wall of the body cavity where the artificial valve is to be formed, and an elongated portion that passes through a first channel provided in the first endoscope;

a first needle that is movable relative to the first endoscope for penetrating the digestive wall;

a second needle positioned beside and spaced apart by a distance from the first needle;

a suture adapted to pass through the digestive wall following the first needle;

a second endoscope; and

a sheath provided outside of the second endoscope, wherein the first needle extends from a distal end of the sheath.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising an additional sheath provided outside the second endoscope, wherein the second needle extends from a distal end of the additional sheath.

Assignments (14)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Mar 18, 2019
From: ATHYRIUM OPPORTUNITIES II ACQUISITION LP, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY US, INC. (F/K/A APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.)
Reel/Frame 048622/0328 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Mar 18, 2019
From: ATHYRIUM OPPORTUNITIES II ACQUISITION LP, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY US, INC. (F/K/A APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.)
Reel/Frame 048622/0343 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Mar 27, 2017
From: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
To: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY US, INC.
Reel/Frame 042106/0912 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Dec 30, 2016
From: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY US, INC.
To: ATHYRIUM OPPORTUNITIES II ACQUISITION LP, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 041224/0821 →
CHANGE OF ADDRESS Recorded Jun 27, 2016
From: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039344/0502 →
NOTICE OF GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Mar 2, 2015
From: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
To: ATHYRIUM OPPORTUNITIES II ACQUISITION LP, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 035120/0843 →
TERMINATION OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST (RECORDED ON 12/3/13 AT REEL/FRAME 031756/0729 AND ON 1/2/14 AT REEL/FRAME 031910/0460) Recorded Mar 2, 2015
From: OXFORD FINANCE LLC, AS AGENT
To: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 035120/0740 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2013
From: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM AND ITS COMPONENT INSTITUTION UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH
To: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031712/0172 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 3, 2013
From: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
To: OXFORD FINANCE LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 031756/0729 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2013
From: COMERICA BANK
To: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031699/0959 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2011
From: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
To: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 026548/0209 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 5, 2011
From: PASRICHA, PANKAJ JAY
To: BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
Reel/Frame 026543/0278 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 30, 2011
From: APOLLO ENDOSURGERY, INC.
To: COMERICA BANK, A TEXAS BANKING ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 026530/0286 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 22, 2011
From: SUZUKI, TAKAYUKI
To: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 025840/0986 →