Multi-position tissue manipulation assembly
Multi-position tissue manipulation assemblies are described herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable about the tissue stabilizer. One or all the articulation controls and functions can be integrated into a singular handle enclosure connectable to the tissue manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body. A needle deployment mechanism may be positioned within the enclosure. Such a mechanism can have multiple positions adapted to lock and/or advance a needle assembly within the enclosure in a controlled manner as well as for deploying the anchor assembly.
1 . A handle for use in forming a tissue fold, comprising:
an enclosure having a proximal end and a distal end; and
a needle deployment mechanism having a first position adapted to lock a needle assembly within the enclosure and allow longitudinal translation of the needle deployment mechanism to pivot a distal portion of a needle tubular member, and a second position adapted to allow longitudinal translation of the needle assembly through the needle tubular member.
2 . The handle of claim 1 further comprising a pivotable member mounted on the enclosure and adapted to articulate a tissue engagement assembly relative to the enclosure.
3 . The handle of claim 2 wherein the pivotable member is connected via one or more wires to the tissue engagement assembly.
4 . The handle of claim 1 further comprising a rotatable tissue engagement control adapted to be translated longitudinally through the enclosure.
5 . The handle of claim 4 wherein the enclosure defines an engagement control lumen extending through the enclosure through which the rotatable tissue engagement control is translatable.
6 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the enclosure further defines at least one opening therethrough.
7 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is adapted to be reusable.
8 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is symmetrically-shaped about a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end.
9 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the needle deployment mechanism comprises an outer sleeve rotatably disposed about an inner sleeve such that the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are configured to interlock in a corresponding manner.
10 . The handle of claim 9 wherein the outer sleeve is adapted to interlock with the inner sleeve when rotated about its longitudinal axis relative to the inner sleeve.
11 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the needle deployment mechanism when in the first position is adapted to retain the needle assembly when the needle deployment mechanism is partially rotated relative to the enclosure.
12 . The handle of claim 11 wherein the needle deployment mechanism is further adapted to longitudinally advance the needle tubular member relative to the enclosure.
13 . The handle of claim 1 wherein the needle deployment mechanism when in the second position is adapted to allow for the longitudinal translation of the needle assembly via a slot defined in the needle deployment mechanism.
14 . The handle of claim 1 further comprising an elongate tubular member extending from the distal end of the enclosure through which the needle assembly is translatable.
15 . The handle of claim 14 wherein the elongate tubular member is detachable from the enclosure.
16 . The handle of claim 14 wherein the elongate tubular member comprises a rigid shaft.
17 . The handle of claim 14 wherein the elongate tubular member comprises a flexible endoscopic device.
18 . The handle of claim 17 wherein the flexible endoscopic device is shape-lockable.
19 . A needle deployment system adapted to be retained in an enclosure, comprising:
an outer sleeve disposed about an inner sleeve such that the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve are configured to interlock in a corresponding manner;
wherein the outer sleeve is adapted to partially rotate relative to the inner sleeve such that the deployment mechanism defines:
a first position adapted to lock a needle assembly within the needle deployment mechanism and allow longitudinal translation of the needle deployment mechanism to pivot a distal portion of a needle tubular member, and
a second position adapted to allow longitudinal translation of the needle assembly through the needle tubular member.
20 . The system of claim 19 further comprising an enclosure which is adapted to retain the needle deployment mechanism therewithin.
21 . The system of claim 20 wherein the enclosure defines an engagement control lumen therethrough.
22 . The system of claim 20 wherein the enclosure is symmetrically-shaped about a longitudinal axis extending therealong.
23 . The system of claim 20 further comprising an elongate tubular member extending from a distal end of the enclosure.
24 . The system of claim 23 wherein the elongate tubular member is detachable from the enclosure.
25 . The system of claim 23 wherein the elongate tubular member comprises a rigid shaft.
26 . The system of claim 23 wherein the elongate tubular member comprises a flexible endoscopic device.
27 . The system of claim 19 wherein the outer sleeve defines a slot thereon.
28 . The system of claim 19 further comprising a pivotable member adapted to articulate a tissue engagement assembly relative to the needle deployment system.
29 . The system of claim 19 further comprising a rotatable tissue engagement control adapted to be translated longitudinally relative to the needle deployment system.
30 . The system of claim 19 further comprising a needle assembly having a hollow needle body disposed at a distal end of an elongate flexible shaft.
31 . A method of deploying a needle assembly, comprising:
loading a needle assembly within an enclosure;
articulating a needle deployment mechanism within the enclosure to a first position such that the needle assembly is locked within the needle deployment mechanism;
translationally advancing the needle deployment mechanism relative to the enclosure such that a distal portion of a needle tubular member is pivoted;
articulating the needle deployment mechanism to a second position such that the needle assembly is longitudinally translatable through the needle tubular member.
32 . The method of claim 31 wherein loading a needle assembly comprises advancing the needle tubular member through the enclosure.
33 . The method of claim 31 wherein articulating a needle deployment mechanism within the enclosure comprises partially rotating the needle deployment mechanism relative to the enclosure such that the needle assembly is locked.
34 . The method of claim 31 wherein translationally advancing the needle deployment mechanism comprises urging the deployment mechanism distally relative to the enclosure.
35 . The method of claim 31 wherein articulating the needle deployment mechanism to a second position comprises partially rotating the needle deployment mechanism relative to the enclosure such that the needle assembly is translatable distally relative to the enclosure.
36 . The method of claim 31 further comprising deploying at least one anchor from the needle assembly.
37 . The method of claim 36 further comprising withdrawing the needle assembly from the needle deployment mechanism.
38 . The method of claim 37 further comprising re-loading a second needle assembly within the enclosure.