A device includes an elongated hollow member with a window for receiving tissue in an interior of the hollow member; a rigid member slidably coupled to the hollow member; and an actuation mechanism configured to move the rigid member longitudinally along a longitudinal axis through at least part of the window. When a ligation band is adjacent to the window and the rigid member is moved relative to the hollow member, the rigid member deforms the ligation band from an open position into a closed position around tissue received in the window.

A device may include an elongated housing formed of an optically transparent material, the housing extending from a proximal end to a distal end and including a lateral wall extending from the proximal end to a distal tip of the housing, the housing defining a lumen extending into the housing from a proximal opening in the proximal end of the housing. The device also may include a first port extending through the lateral wall of the housing to open the lumen of the housing to an exterior of the housing, the first port being sized and shaped to receive therein a target portion of tissue to be inspected and/or treated.

A device includes a housing having a first opening for receiving tissue therein and a distal head disposed at least partly within the housing. The distal head is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the distal head. The device also includes a first holding member coupled to the housing and a second holding member coupled to the distal head. The first and second holding members are configured so that rotating the distal head stretches a first ligation band coupled to the first and second holding members, permitting tissue drawn into the first opening to pass through an opening of the first ligation band.

Trocar components and methods of use are described, wherein the trocar components are configured to provide access to intraperitoneal space via the rectouterine pouch to surgical tools, which optionally include one or more surgical robot members. The surgical tools are optionally 5 mm or more in diameter. In some embodiments, a cannula part has a lumen sized to provide to a plurality of the surgical tools simultaneous transvaginal access to the intraperitoneal space via the rectouterine pouch. In some embodiments, an incision sized to receive a distal aperture of the cannula is created, optionally using one or two dilators. The dilators are sized to create (optionally starting from a puncture by a needle 2 mm in diameter or less) an oblong aperture. In some embodiments, the oblong aperture is at least twice as wide across a long diameter as across a short diameter.

An access port for sealing an opening of a natural orifice and supplying access to a body cavity through the natural orifice including: a sealing unit; an unobstructed single lumen cannula extending to the body cavity; a connector connecting the cannula to the sealing unit; an access opening through the sealing unit to the single lumen; a cap including a plurality of cap openings configured to seal between medical instruments inserted into the openings and the access opening.

An endoscopic plug for performing an endoscopic procedure includes an external housing and internal tubing for securing within a body cavity opening, the external housing including a plurality of support tabs to secure the external housing to an exterior of the body cavity opening, and the internal tubing including an expandable balloon on an outer surface for expanding within the body cavity to secure the plug within the body cavity. The support tabs, expandable balloon and other features help to create a sealed internal environment for performing water aided endoscopy (WAE). The endoscopic plug additionally includes an air passage within the internal tubing to inflate the expandable balloon, sloped edges adjacent to the support tabs to seal the external housing to an external opening of the body cavity, and a plurality of valves, seals and pumps which allow for the introduction and retention of liquid into the body cavity.

Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.

An access channel for access to a body cavity through a natural orifice including: a variable length unobstructed channel including: a rigid cannula having a distal opening configured to fit through an incision in a wall of the orifice; a rigid tubular extension for the cannula; a distal opening of the extension fitting to a proximal opening of the cannula and joining a lumen of the cannula to a lumen of the extension to form the variable length channel between the distal opening of the cannula and a proximal opening of the extension; the extension sliding longitudinally with respect to the cannula to extend and contract a length of the variable length channel by at least 25% of a maximal length of the channel; wherein a cross section of the channel has a long dimension at least twice a short dimension of the cross section.

A rectal band ligation device and a method of operating the band ligation device. In one embodiment, the band ligation device includes: (1) a handle having a trigger associated therewith, (2) an extension tube extending from the handle and terminating in a head, (3) at least two openings in the head, (4) hollow pistons located in the openings and configured to move relative thereto between an extended position in which ends of the pistons are exposed through the openings and a retracted position, gaps between corresponding openings and hollow pistons being less than cross-sectional widths of elastic members stretched around the ends and (5) an actuating rod coupling the trigger and the pistons and configured to cause the pistons to move from the extended position to the retracted position.

A seal assembly including a septum seal, a lower seal support, an upper seal support and a return spring is disclosed. The septum seal includes an orifice and a plurality of apertures. The lower seal support includes an engagement surface configured to engage a portion of the septum seal. The upper seal support includes a plurality of fingers, wherein each of the plurality of fingers is configured to extend through a corresponding aperture of the septum seal. The return spring includes a collar portion and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the collar portion. At least a portion of the return spring may be sandwiched between the lower seal support and the upper seal support. The plurality of spokes is configured to bias the seal assembly toward a radial center of a housing.