Endoscopic suturing system having external instrument channel

1 . A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the cap apparatus comprising:

a mount having a concave curved inner surface shaped to be extended circumferentially around less than half of a convex outer circumference of an endoscope and an outer surface, the mount further comprising:

an opening configured to receive the distal end of the endoscope to extend at least partially around the circumference of the distal end of the endoscope;

a first longitudinally-extending throughbore defined longitudinally through the mount and configured for a first device to extend longitudinally therethrough from a proximal end of the endoscope to a position distal to the mount; and

a second longitudinally-extending throughbore defined longitudinally through the mount and configured for a second device, structurally different from the first device, to extend longitudinally therethrough from the proximal end of the endoscope to a position distal to the mount; and

a strap connected to the mount and configured for banding circumferentially about the distal end of the endoscope to retain the mount on the distal end of the endoscope, the strap having a first end secured to the mount near a strap slot defined in the mount, and a second end configured to pass through the strap slot to form a loop around the circumference of the distal end of the endoscope;

wherein the strap slot extends from the concave curved inner surface of the mount, radially through a wall of the mount, to the outer surface of the mount.

2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the opening extends longitudinally through the wall of the mount to receive the distal end of the endoscope laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the mount.

3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , the strap slot is dimensioned to compress the strap when the strap is in the strap slot retaining the mount on the distal end of the endoscope.

4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:

the strap slot is configured to receive an end of the strap to configure the strap in a banded configuration; and

the strap is frictionally engaged in the strap slot to retain the strap positioned relative to the strap slot.

5 . The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein:

the mount defines a cutting blade slot and a blade bearing surface, the cutting blade slot extending longitudinally in a direction intersecting with a pathway of the strap in the strap slot; and

the blade bearing surface extends in a plane at a fixed angle that intersects with a plane of the strap in the strap slot.

6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the distal cap apparatus has a plurality of straps and the mount defines a plurality of strap slots corresponding to each of the straps.

7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the mount has a wedge pivotably coupled with the mount and configured to engage with the strap when the strap is in the strap slot.

8 . The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the wedge engages the strap to provide resistance to movement of the strap.

9 . A distal cap apparatus for use with an endoscope having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the cap apparatus comprising:

a needle-mount having a concave curved inner surface shaped to be extended circumferentially around less than half of a convex outer circumference of an endoscope and an outer surface, an opening for receiving the distal end of the endoscope to extend at least partially around the circumference of the distal end of the endoscope, and a needle arm pivotably mounted thereto for pivotable movement of a distal end of the needle arm between a closed position and an open position, the open position pivotably withdrawn distally from the closed position; and

a strap configured to be banded about the endoscope in a banded configuration and extending between a first side of the needle mount and a second side of the needle mount to retain the needle mount on the distal end of the endoscope, the strap having a first end secured to the needle mount near a strap slot defined in the needle mount between the inner and outer surfaces and the first and second sides of the needle mount, and a second end configured to pass through the strap slot to form a loop.

10 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the strap slot is defined in the needle mount such that the second end exits the slot between the sides of the needle mount.

11 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the strap slot is positioned along a concave portion of the needle mount configured to face the endoscope when the strap is in the banded configuration about the endoscope.

12 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the strap is moveable relative to the needle mount.

13 . The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the strap is movable through the strap slot formed through the needle mount.

14 . The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the width of the slot is smaller than the thickness of the strap so that the strap is compressed and frictionally engaged by the slot when the strap extends through the strap slot.

15 . The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the needle mount has a wedge that is configured to engage the strap when the strap is in the strap slot.

16 . The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the wedge is configured to engage the strap to provide resistance to movement of the strap.

17 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of straps configured to be banded about the endoscope.

18 . The apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the needle mount has a strap slot corresponding to each of the plurality of straps.

19 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the strap is a continuous band.

20 . The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the strap is elastic.