An apparatus for treating obesity in a human or animal mammal patient. The apparatus comprising a first volume filling device segment and a second volume filling device segment. The first and second volume filling device segments are adapted to be assembled into an implantable volume filling device of a controlled size. Each one of the first and second volume filling device segment comprises at least one interconnecting structure. The interconnecting structure of the second volume filling device segment is adapted to be formed fitted, such that the first and second volume filling device segment can be assembled into the volume filling device. The assembled volume filling device is adapted to be at least substantially invaginated by a stomach wall portion of a patient, with the outer surface of the device resting against the stomach wall, such that the volume of the food cavity is reduced in size.

An apparatus for the treatment of acid reflux disease comprising two or more movement restriction device segments adapted to be assembled movement restriction device of a controlled size. The assembled movement restriction device can at least partly be invaginated by a patient's stomach fundus wall. A substantial part of the outer surface of the movement restriction device is adapted to rest against the stomach wall without injuring the latter in a position between the patient's diaphragm and at least a portion of the lower part of the invaginated stomach fundus wall, such that movement of the cardiac notch of the patient's stomach towards the patient's diaphragm is restricted, to thereby prevent the cardia from sliding through the patient's diaphragm opening into the patient's thorax, so as to maintain the supporting pressure against the patient's cardia sphincter muscle exerted from the patient's abdomen.

Devices and methods of endolumenal formation of gastric sleeves are described. Some embodiments allow templating of a gastric sleeve by a gastric bougie, exposing a selected amount of tissue for suturing access, while maintaining sufficient internal working space for suturing within the template lumen.

Method and apparatus for delivering multiple tissue fasteners with needle and fastener assemblies each of which comprises a hollow needle adapted to be passed through tissue layers to be fastened, the needle containing a proximal and a distal implant, the implants being configured to self-expand when ejected from the needle, the implants being lockable to each other after ejection in response to drawing the implants together with tissue gripped between the implants.

Devices and methods of endolumenal formation of gastric sleeves are described. Some embodiments allow templating of a gastric sleeve by a gastric bougie, exposing a selected amount of tissue for suturing access, while maintaining sufficient internal working space for suturing within the template lumen.

A medical device for joining materials is provided. The device comprises a piercing element configured to penetrate materials to be joined. The piercing element is sufficiently sharp to penetrate materials to be joined and comprises a hollow interior along at least a portion of its length configured to distal advancement of a fastener therethrough; and an open tip through which the fastener can be pushed. The device can be used for fastening materials including tissue, synthetic mesh, and biologic mesh (e.g., ADM).

A device for passing a needle and suture longitudinally through a target tissue includes a proximal jaw including a proximal recess and a proximal retention mechanism for releasably engaging a first end of a needle received within the proximal recess and a distal jaw movably coupled to the proximal jaw such that the proximal and distal jaws are longitudinally movable relative to one another. The distal jaw includes a distal recess and a distal retention mechanism for releasably engaging a second end of the needle received within the distal recess. The proximal and distal jaws are movable between a first state, in which the proximal retention mechanism is in a locked configuration and the distal retention mechanism is in an unlocked configuration, and a second state, in which the proximal retention mechanism is in an unlocked configuration and the distal retention mechanism is in a locked configuration.

A device is configured for use in negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT). The device includes a tube having a tube proximal end and a tube distal end and A coil having a plurality of windings extending from a coil proximal end to a coil distal end. The coil distal end is coupled to the tube proximal end in a manner that enables application of a negative pressure from within the coil through the coil to tissue surrounding the coil. The coil comprises a space between adjacent ones of the plurality of windings, the space having a predetermined dimension.

A suture device is provided comprising an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and opposite proximal and distal ends. The distal end inserts into a wound and the proximal end operates the device. A suture needle connects with the elongate body at or near the distal end and is movable relative to the elongate body in longitudinal direction along a needle trajectory having a suturing space. A spreader connects with the elongate body at or near the distal end and engages tissue to be sutured adjacent the needle trajectory and provides a pulling force on the tissue to pull a portion of the tissue into the suturing space; and/or comprises a spring. The device is configured to urge at least a portion of the suture needle from a first position to a second position along a needle trajectory past a suturing space by a spring action of the spring.

The invention relates surgical abdominal methods of treating obesity in a patient by implanting a volume filling device that, when implanted in a patient, reduces the food cavity in size by a volume substantially exceeding the volume of the volume filling device. Also disclosed is a laparoscopic instrument for providing a volume filling device to be invaginated in the stomach wall of a human patient to treat obesity.