Systems and methods of performing surgery using Laplace's law tension retraction during surgery

1. A method for performing a sleeve gastrectomy, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first medical device including a tube for insertion into an interior of a stomach, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a shaping portion positioned at the distal end of the tube;

providing an inflation lumen for the introduction of positive pressure into the stomach;

providing a second medical device, the second medical device being a stapler or clamp positioned externally on the stomach laterally adjacent to the first medical device;

introducing positive pressure into the stomach via the inflation lumen;

defining a resection line for the sleeve gastrectomy, wherein the resection line is defined at least partially by the position of the second medical device relative to the first medical device when a predetermined positive pressure range is provided via the inflation lumen; and

clamping the stomach using the second medical device along the resection line,

wherein the step of defining a resection line comprises applying a first amount of compression to the stomach with the second medical device when the positive pressure is introduced into the stomach, and applying a second amount of compression to the stomach when pressure within the stomach has reached the predetermined positive pressure range, wherein the second amount of compression is greater than the first amount of compression and the second amount of compression is operably configured to immovably retain the stomach.

2. A method for performing a sleeve gastrectomy, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first medical device including a tube for insertion into an interior of a stomach, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a shaping portion positioned at the distal end of the tube and having at least one balloon portion, the first medical device further comprising a suction portion and an inflation portion, wherein the suction portion is operably configured to urge a first portion of the stomach proximate the suction portion and the inflation portion is operably configured to inflate the stomach to a predetermined positive pressure range;

providing an inflation lumen for the introduction of positive pressure into the stomach, wherein the inflation lumen is coupled with a pump, a pressure gauge, and a pressure release valve;

providing a second medical device, the second medical device being a stapler or clamp positioned externally on the stomach laterally adjacent to the first medical device;

introducing positive pressure into the stomach via the inflation lumen until the predetermined positive pressure range is achieved;

defining a resection line for the sleeve gastrectomy, wherein the resection line is defined at least partially by the position of the second medical device relative to the first medical device when the predetermined positive pressure range is achieved;

clamping the stomach using the second medical device along the resection line;

stapling the stomach using the second medical device along the resection line; and

resecting a portion of the stomach using the second medical device to form a sleeve.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first medical device comprises a bougie, the bougie including the inflation lumen.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first medical device comprises a bougie having at least one balloon portion, the at least one balloon portion having at least one balloon inflation lumen.

5. The method of claim 2 , further comprising an indicator for determining when the predetermined positive pressure range of the stomach has being achieved.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the indicator is a visual or audible indicator signaling that a positive pressure within the stomach is below the predetermined positive pressure range, above the predetermined positive pressure range, or within the predetermined positive pressure range.

7. The method of claim 2 , wherein the predetermined positive pressure range is from 1 mmHG to 25 mmHG.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined positive pressure range is from 15 mmHg to 20 mmHg.

9. The method of claim 2 , wherein the suction portion is positioned proximate the GE junction of the stomach.

10. The method of claim 2 , wherein the suction portion is positioned proximate the antrum of the stomach.

11. The method of claim 2 , wherein the suction portion of the first medical device extends from a portion proximate the GE junction of the stomach to a portion proximate the antrum of the stomach.

12. The method of claim 2 , wherein the inflation lumen is selectively configured to provide suction.

13. The method of claim 2 , wherein the distal end of the first medical device includes an articulating member, the articulating member being operably configured to position the antrum relative to the second medical device.

14. The method of claim 2 , wherein the first medical device includes at least one sensor to measure pressure or volume within the stomach.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first medical device comprises a bougie, the bougie including the inflation lumen.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first medical device comprises a bougie having at least one balloon portion, the at least one balloon portion having at least one balloon inflation lumen.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the inflation lumen is selectively configured to provide suction.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the first medical device includes an articulating member, the articulating member being operably configured to position the antrum of the stomach relative to the second medical device.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first medical device includes at least one sensor to measure pressure or volume within the stomach.