US20050187565A1 - Tissue fixation devices and a transoral endoscopic gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device and assembly using same - Google Patents

Abstract

Tissue fasteners carried on a tissue piercing deployment wire fasten tissue layers of a mammalian body together. The fasteners include a first member, a second member, and a connecting member extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are substantially parallel to each other. The fasteners may be deployed in limited spaces and in various applications including the restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention generally relates to tissue fixation devices, and more particularly to devices for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease using the same. The present invention more particularly relates to such tissue fixation devices which may be used in surgical environments and which are self-deploying.
BACKGROUND
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition caused by the failure of the anti-reflux barrier located at the gastroesophageal junction to keep the contents of the stomach from splashing into the esophagus. The splashing is known as gastroesophageal reflux. The stomach acid is designed to digest meat, and will digest esophageal tissue when persistently splashed into the esophagus.
• A principal reason for regurgitation associated with GERD is the mechanical failure of a deteriorated gastroesophageal flap to close and seal against high pressure in the stomach. Due to reasons including lifestyle, a Grade I normal gastroesophageal flap may deteriorate into a malfunctioning Grade III or absent valve Grade IV gastroesophageal flap. With a deteriorated gastroesophageal flap, the stomach contents are more likely to be regurgitated into the esophagus, the mouth, and even the lungs. The regurgitation is referred to as “heartburn” because the most common symptom is a burning discomfort in the chest under the breastbone. Burning discomfort in the chest and regurgitation (burping up) of sour-tasting gastric juice into the mouth are classic symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When stomach acid is regurgitated into the esophagus, it is usually cleared quickly by esophageal contractions. Heartburn (backwashing of stomach acid and bile onto the esophagus) results when stomach acid is frequently regurgitated into the esophagus and the esophageal wall is inflamed.
• Complications develop for some people who have GERD. Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) with erosions and ulcerations (breaks in the lining of the esophagus) can occur from repeated and prolonged acid exposure. If these breaks are deep, bleeding or scarring of the esophagus with formation of a stricture (narrowing of the esophagus) can occur. If the esophagus narrows significantly, then food sticks in the esophagus and the symptom is known as dysphagia. GERD has been shown to be one of the most important risk factors for the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. In a subset of people who have severe GERD, if acid exposure continues, the injured squamous lining is replaced by a precancerous lining (called Barrett's Esophagus) in which a cancerous esophageal adenocarcinoma can develop.
• Other complications of GERD may not appear to be related to esophageal disease at all. Some people with GERD may develop recurrent pneumonia (lung infection), asthma (wheezing), or a chronic cough from acid backing up into the esophagus and all the way up through the upper esophageal sphincter into the lungs. In many instances, this occurs at night, while the person is in a supine position and sleeping. Occasionally, a person with severe GERD will be awakened from sleep with a choking sensation. Hoarseness can also occur due to acid reaching the vocal cords, causing a chronic inflammation or injury.
• GERD never improves without intervention. Life style changes combined with both medical and surgical treatments exist for GERD. Medical therapies include antacids and proton pump inhibitors. However, the medical therapies only mask the reflux. Patients still get reflux and perhaps emphysema because of particles refluxed into the lungs. Barrett's esophagus results in about 10% of the GERD cases. The esophageal epithelium changes into tissue that tends to become cancerous from repeated acid washing despite the medication.
• Several open laparotomy and laproscopic surgical procedures are available for treating GERD. One surgical approach is the Nissen fundoplication. The Nissen approach typically involves a 360-degree wrap of the fundus around the gastroesophageal junction. The procedure has a high incidence of postoperative complications. The Nissen approach creates a 360-degree moveable flap without a fixed portion. Hence, Nissen does not restore the normal movable flap. The patient cannot burp because the fundus was used to make the repair, and may frequently experience dysphagia. Another surgical approach to treating GERD is the Belsey Mark IV (Belsey) fundoplication. The Belsey procedure involves creating a valve by suturing a portion of the stomach to an anterior surface of the esophagus. It reduces some of the postoperative complications encountered with the Nissen fundoplication, but still does not restore the normal movable flap. None of these procedures fully restores the normal anatomical anatomy or produces a normally functioning gastroesophageal junction. Another surgical approach is the Hill repair. In the Hill repair, the gastroesophageal junction is anchored to the posterior abdominal areas, and a 180-degree valve is created by a system of sutures. The Hill procedure restores the moveable flap, the cardiac notch and the Angle of His. However, all of these surgical procedures are very invasive, regardless of whether done as a laproscopic or an open procedure.
• New, less surgically invasive approaches to treating GERD involve transoral endoscopic procedures. One procedure contemplates a machine device with robotic arms that is inserted transorally into the stomach. While observing through an endoscope, an endoscopist guides the machine within the stomach to engage a portion of the fundus with a corkscrew-like device on one arm. The arm then pulls on the engaged portion to create a fold of tissue or radial plication at the gastroesophageal junction. Another arm of the machine pinches the excess tissue together and fastens the excess tissue with one pre-tied implant. This procedure does not restore normal anatomy. The fold created does not have anything in common with a valve. In fact, the direction of the radial fold prevents the fold or plication from acting as a flap of a valve.
• Another transoral procedure contemplates making a fold of fundus tissue near the deteriorated gastroesophageal flap to recreate the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The procedure requires placing multiple U-shaped tissue clips around the folded fundus to hold it in shape and in place.
• This and the previously discussed procedure are both highly dependent on the skill, experience, aggressiveness, and courage of the endoscopist. In addition, these and other procedures may involve esophageal tissue in the repair. Esophageal tissue is fragile and weak. Involvement of esophageal tissue in the repair of a gastroesophageal flap valve poses unnecessary risks to the patient.
• A new and improved apparatus and method for restoration of a gastroesophageal flap valve is fully disclosed in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/150,740, filed May 17, 2002, for TRANSORAL ENDOSCOPIC GASTROESOPHAGEAL FLAP VALVE RESTORATION DEVICE, ASSEMBLY, SYSTEM AND METHOD, is assigned to the assignee of this invention, and is incorporated herein by reference. That apparatus and method provides a transoral endoscopic gastroesophageal flap valve restoration. A longitudinal member arranged for transoral placement into a stomach carries a tissue shaper that non-invasively grips and shapes stomach tissue. A tissue fixation device is then deployed to maintain the shaped stomach tissue in a shape approximating a gastroesophageal flap.
• Whenever tissue is to be maintained in a shape as, for example, in the improved assembly last mentioned above, it is necessary to fasten at least two layers of tissue together. In applications such as gastroesophageal flap valve restoration, there is very limited room to maneuver a fastener deployment device. For example, this and other medical fastening applications provide confined working channels and spaces and often must be fed through an endoscope to permit visualization or other small lumen guide catheters to the place where the fasteners are to be deployed. To make matters worse, multiple fasteners may also be required. Hence, with current fasteners and deployment arrangements, it is often difficult to direct a single fastener to its intended location, let alone a number of such fasteners.
• Once the fastening site is located, the fasteners employed must be truly able to securely maintain the tissue. Also, quite obviously, the fasteners are preferably deployable in the tissue in a manner which does not unduly traumatize the tissue.
SUMMARY
• The present invention provides a fastener for use in a mammalian body, comprising a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are separated by the connecting member, and one of the first and second members has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis arranged to be slidingly received on a tissue piercing deployment wire.
• The connecting member may be flexible permitting another one of the first and second members to be next to the one of the first and second members when the one of the first and second members is on the tissue piercing deployment wire.
• One end of the one of the first and second members may include a pointed tip. The pointed tip may be conical or comprise a tapered sectioned portion.
• Both the first and second members may include a longitudinal axis and a through channel along each respective axis. One end of both the first and second members may include a pointed tip. The pointed tips may point in opposite directions.
• The through channels are arranged to be slidingly received by the tissue piercing deployment wire. The connecting member may be flexible permitting the first and second members to be in line with each other on the tissue piercing deployment wire.
• The first member, second member, and the connecting member may all be formed of plastic material and in one piece or multiple pieces.
• The connecting member of the fastener may be formed of plastic elastic material. Alternatively, the connecting member may be formed of a plastic, permanently deformable material. The plastic material may include a color pigment contrasting with body tissue color to enable visualization of the fastener with an endoscope.
• The connecting member has a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension transverse to the vertical dimension, and the horizontal dimension may be substantially less than the vertical dimension rendering the connecting member readily bendable in a horizontal plane. At least one of the first and second members may include a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical slots rendering the at least one of the first and second members flexible in a direction opposite the slots but stiff in a direction of the slots. The device may comprise a plurality of the connecting members.
• The fastener may alternatively be formed of metal and particularly a shape memory material. The first and second members may then be self-deployable. One of the first and second members may be self-deployable while on the tissue piercing deployment wire.
• At least one of the first and second members may be self-deployable upon removal from the tissue piercing deployment wire. The at least one of the first and second members is preferably distal to another one of the first and second members and the another one of the first and second members may include a crimp that provides a controlled resistance to movement on the tissue piercing deployment wire.
• The first member, the second member, and the connecting member may be integrally formed from a same tubular member stock. The connecting member may comprise a strip of the tubular member formed by a pair of longitudinal substantially parallel, substantially coextensive cuts within the tubular member and the first and second members may be formed by a substantially transverse circumferential cut between the substantially parallel coextensive cuts.
• The tubular member may have first and second opposed ends and the substantially parallel substantially coextensive cuts may begin spaced from the first end and terminate spaced from the second end. The first and second members may then be tubular member sections between the circumferential cut and the tubular member first and second ends. An elongated notch may extend from one of the ends of the tubular member, substantially diametrically opposite and juxtaposed to a portion of the connecting member strip.
• The invention further provides a fastener assembly for use in a mammalian body. The assembly includes a fastener including a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are separated by the connecting member, and one of the first and second members may have a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis. The assembly further includes a deployment wire that slidingly receives the through channel of the one of the first and second members and pierces into the tissue, and a pusher that pushes the one of first and second members into the tissue while on the deployment wire.
• The pusher is preferably also arranged to be slidingly received on the deployment wire. The connecting member of the fastener may be flexible, and the assembly may further comprise a guide tube extending over the deployment wire and the fastener. The other one of the first and second members may be disposed next to the one of the first and second members within the guide tube.
• One end of the one of the first and second members of the fastener may further include a pointed tip. The pointed tip may comprise a truncated cone. Alternatively, the pointed tip may comprise a sectioned portion. Either one or both of the first and second members may include a longitudinal axis and a through channel along each respective axis. The through channels of the first and second members may be arranged to be slidingly received by the tissue piercing deployment wire and the connecting member is preferably flexible permitting the first and second members to be in line with each other on the tissue piercing deployment wire. The guide tube may then extend over the deployment wire and the fastener.
• The invention still further provides a tissue fixation assembly. The assembly includes a fastener and a pair of hingedly coupled first and second arms for receiving the tissue therebetween. The first arm includes a fastener director that directs the fastener into the tissue and the second arm includes an opening permitting the fastener to be driven through the tissue while being held between the first and second arms. The second arm is preferably a frame structure.
• The assembly may further comprise a tissue gripper that grips the tissue and pulls the tissue into and between the first and second arms. The first arm may have a tissue engaging surface and the fastener director may include a channel communicating with the tissue engaging surface through which the fastener passes into the tissue.
• The fastener director may include a plurality of the channels to direct a like plurality of fasteners into the tissue. The assembly may further comprise a fastener deployment wire that guides the fastener through one of the channels and into the tissue.
• The fastener of the assembly may comprise a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first and second members are separated by the connecting member when the fastener is deployed. One of the first and second members preferably has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis arranged to be slidingly received on the fastener deployment wire.
• The invention still further provides a transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device. The device includes a longitudinal member, a portion of which is arranged for transoral placement into a stomach, a fastener, and a tissue shaper carried on the longitudinal member. The tissue shaper shapes stomach tissue into a shape and includes a pair of hingedly coupled first and second arms for receiving the stomach tissue therebetween, the first arm including a fastener director that directs the fastener into the stomach tissue and the second arm including an opening permitting the fastener to be driven through the stomach tissue while being held between the first and second arms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by making reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like referenced numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of the esophageal-gastro-intestinal tract from a lower portion of the esophagus to the duodenum;
• FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the esophageal-gastro-intestinal tract illustrating a Grade I normal appearance movable flap of the gastroesophageal flap valve (in dashed lines) and a Grade III reflux appearance gastroesophageal flap of the gastroesophageal flap valve (in solid lines);
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fastener according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another fastener according to an embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view with portions cut away of a fastener assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in an early stage of deploying a fastener embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 5 shown with the fastener being driven in the tissue layers to be fastened;
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 5 shown with the fastener extending through the tissue layers to be fastened;
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 5 shown with the fastener initially deployed;
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the fastener of the assembly ofFIG. 5 fully deployed and securely fastening a pair of tissue layers together;
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view with portions cut away of another fastener deployment assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in an early stage of deploying another fastener embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view with portions cut away of another fastener deployment assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in an early stage of deploying another fastener embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the fastener of the assembly ofFIG. 11 fully deployed and securely fastening a pair of tissue layers together;
• FIG. 13A is a perspective view, to an enlarged scale, of the fastener ofFIG. 13;
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 13 shown with the fastener being driven in the tissue layers to be fastened;
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 13 shown with the fastener extending through the tissue layers to be fastened and partially deployed;
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 13 shown with the fastener initially fully deployed;
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the fastener of the assembly ofFIG. 13 fully deployed and securely fastening a pair of tissue layers together;
• FIG. 18 is a perspective view with portions cut away of another fastener deployment assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in an early stage of deploying the fastener ofFIG. 13;
• FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 18 shown with the deployment wire driven through the tissue layers to be fastened;
• FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 18 shown as inFIG. 19 but with the proximal end of the fastener being released into a deployed configuration before the fastener is driven into the tissue layers to be fastened;
• FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 18 shown with the fastener extending through the tissue layers to be fastened;
• FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the assembly ofFIG. 18 shown with the fastener initially deployed;
• FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the fastener of the assembly ofFIG. 18 fully deployed and securely fastening a pair of tissue layers together;
• FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the fastener ofFIG. 13 showing the fastener embedded within a layer of tissue;
• FIG. 25 is a perspective view with portions cut away of a fastener assembly according to an embodiment of the invention in an early stage of deploying a still further fastener embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 26 is a side view, partly in cross-section of another fastener embodiment of the invention which provides resistance to relative movement between the fastener and a deployment wire;
• FIG. 27 is a perspective side view, partly in phantom of a gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device embodying the present invention shown in an initial state before use;
• FIG. 28 is another perspective side view, partly in phantom of the gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device ofFIG. 27 embodying the present invention shown in an intermediate state during use;
• FIG. 29 is a side view, partly in cross-section of the gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device ofFIG. 27 shown forming a gastroesophageal flap valve from stomach tissue prior to delivery of a fastener to maintain the flap valve.
• FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another fastener embodiment of the present invention;
• FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the fastener ofFIG. 30;
• FIG. 32 is a perspective view of still another fastener embodiment of the present invention, and;
• FIG. 33 is a top plan view of the fastener ofFIG. 32.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• FIG. 1 is a front cross-sectional view of the esophageal-gastro-intestinal tract40 from a lower portion of theesophagus41 to theduodenum42. Thestomach43 is characterized by thegreater curvature44 on the anatomical left side and thelesser curvature45 on the anatomical right side. The tissue of the outer surfaces of those curvatures is referred to in the art as serosa tissue. As will be seen subsequently, the nature of the serosa tissue is used to advantage for its ability to bond to like serosa tissue. Thefundus46 of thegreater curvature44 forms the superior portion of thestomach43, and traps gas and air bubbles for burping. Theesophageal tract41 enters thestomach43 at an esophageal orifice below the superior portion of thefundus46, forming acardiac notch47 and an acute angle with respect to thefundus46 known as the Angle of His57. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES)48 is a discriminating sphincter able to distinguish between burping gas, liquids, and solids, and works in conjunction with thefundus46 to burp. The gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV)49 includes a moveable portion and an opposing more stationary portion. The moveable portion of theGEFV49 is an approximately 180 degree, semicircular, gastroesophageal flap50 (alternatively referred to as a “normal moveable flap” or “moveable flap”) formed of tissue at the intersection between theesophagus41 and thestomach43. The opposing more stationary portion of theGEFV49 comprises a portion of thelesser curvature45 of thestomach43 adjacent to its junction with theesophagus41. Thegastroesophageal flap50 of theGEFV49 principally comprises tissue adjacent to thefundus46 portion of thestomach43, is about 4 to 5 cm long (51) at it longest portion, and the length may taper at its anterior and posterior ends. Thegastroesophageal flap50 is partially held against thelesser curvature45 portion of thestomach43 by the pressure differential between thestomach43 and the thorax, and partially by the resiliency and the anatomical structure of theGEFV49, thus providing the valving function. TheGEFV49 is similar to a flutter valve, with thegastroesophageal flap50 being flexible and closeable against the other more stationary side.
• The esophageal tract is controlled by an upper esophageal sphincter (UES) in the neck near the mouth for swallowing, and by theLES48 and theGEFV49 at the stomach. The normal anti-reflux barrier is primarily formed by theLES48 and theGEFV49 acting in concert to allow food and liquid to enter the stomach, and to considerably resist reflux of stomach contents into theesophagus41 past thegastroesophageal tissue junction52. Tissue aboral of thegastroesophageal tissue junction52 is generally considered part of the stomach because the tissue protected from stomach acid by its own protective mechanisms. Tissue oral of thegastroesophageal junction52 is generally considered part of the esophagus and it is not protected from injury by prolonged exposure to stomach acid. At thegastroesophageal junction52, the juncture of the stomach and esophageal tissues form a zigzag line, which is sometimes referred to as the “Z-line.” For the purposes of these specifications, including the claims, “stomach” means the tissue aboral of thegastroesophageal junction52.
• FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of an esophageal-gastro-intestinal tract illustrating a Grade I normal appearancemovable flap50 of the GEFV49 (shown in dashed lines) and a deteriorated Grade IIIgastroesophageal flap55 of the GEFV49 (shown in solid lines). As previously mentioned, a principal reason for regurgitation associated with GERD is the mechanical failure of the deteriorated (or reflux appearance)gastroesophageal flap55 of theGEFV49 to close and seal against the higher pressure in the stomach. Due to reasons including lifestyle, a Grade I normalgastroesophageal flap50 of theGEFV49 may deteriorate into a Grade III deterioratedgastroesophageal flap55. The anatomical results of the deterioration include moving a portion of theesophagus41 that includes thegastroesophageal junction52 andLES48 toward the mouth, straightening of thecardiac notch47, and increasing the Angle of His57. This effectively reshapes the anatomy aboral of thegastroesophageal junction52 and forms a flattenedfundus56. The deterioratedgastroesophageal flap55 illustrates agastroesophageal flap valve49 andcardiac notch47 that have both significantly degraded. Dr. Hill and colleagues developed a grading system to describe the appearance of the GEFV and the likelihood that a patient will experience chronic acid reflux. L. D. Hill, et al.,The gastroesophageal flap valve: in vitro and in vivo observations, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 1996:44:541-547. Under Dr. Hill's grading system, the normalmovable flap50 of theGEFV49 illustrates a Grade I flap valve that is the least likely to experience reflux. The deterioratedgastroesophageal flap55 of theGEFV49 illustrates a Grade III (almost Grade IV) flap valve. A Grade IV flap valve is the most likely to experience reflux. Grades II and III reflect intermediate grades of deterioration and, as in the case of III, a high likelihood of experiencing reflux. With the deteriorated GEFV represented by deterioratedgastroesophageal flap55 and thefundus46 moved inferior, the stomach contents are presented a funnel-like opening directing the contents into theesophagus41 and the greatest likelihood of experiencing reflux. Disclosed subsequently is a device for restoring the normal gastroesophageal flap valve anatomy, which device is one embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring now toFIG. 3, it is a perspective view of afastener100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thefastener100 generally includes afirst member102, asecond member104, and a connectingmember106. As may be noted inFIG. 3, thefirst member102 andsecond member104 are substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to the connectingmember106 which connects thefirst member102 to thesecond member104.
• The first andsecond members102 and104 are generally cylindrical. Each has alongitudinal axis108 and110 and a throughchannel112 and114 along thelongitudinal axes108 and110. The throughchannels112 and114 are formed by through bores which are dimensioned to be slidingly received on a tissue piercing deployment wire to be described hereinafter.
• Thefirst member102 also includes afirst end116 and a second end118. Similarly, thesecond member114 includes afirst end120 and asecond end122. The first ends116 and120 form pointeddilation tips124 and126, respectively. Thedilation tips124 and126 are conical and more particularly take the shape of truncated cones. The pointedtips129 and126 are pointed in opposite directions.
• The first andsecond members102 and104 and the connecting106 may be formed of different materials and have different textures. These materials may include, for example, plastic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyglycolic acid, polyurethane, or a thermoplastic elastomer. As may be further noted inFIG. 3, the connectingmember106 has avertical dimension128 and ahorizontal dimension130 which is transverse to the vertical dimension. The horizontal dimension is substantially less than the vertical dimension to render the connectingmember106 readily bendable in a horizontal plane. The connecting member is further rendered bendable by the nature of the plastic material from which thefastener100 is formed. The connecting member may be formed from either an elastic plastic or a permanently deformable plastic. An elastic material would prevent compression necrosis in some applications.
• Referring now toFIG. 4, it illustrates anotherfastener140 embodying the present invention. As with thefastener100 ofFIG. 3, thefastener140 includes afirst member142, asecond member144, and a connectingmember146. Thefastener140 may be formed in one piece and a plastic material similar to thefastener100 ofFIG. 3. Thefasteners100 and140 may be formed of a plastic material which includes a color pigment, for example pthalocyanine blue, for contrasting with the color of body tissue to enable visualization of the fastener with an endoscope during the deployment of the fasteners. In addition, as may be seen inFIG. 4, thefastener140 is impregnated with radioopaque material148 so as to render thefastener140 at least partially viewable under fluoroscopy. The radio opaque particles may be, for example, barium sulfate, bismuth subcarbonate, tungsten powder or tantalum powder.
• In addition to the foregoing, thesecond member144 of thefastener140 includes a plurality of longitudinally spacedvertical slots150. This renders thesecond member144 flexible in a direction opposite the slots but stiff in a direction of the slots. Hence, thesecond member144 is resistant to bending in a first direction indicated byarrow152 while being substantially less resistant to bending in a direction indicated byarrow154. The reduced resistance to bending in thedirection154 of thesecond member144 of thefastener140 may be utilized to advantage in the deployment of thefastener140.
• Referring now toFIG. 5, it is a perspective view with portions cut away of a fastener assembly embodying the present invention. The tissue layer portions above thefastener162 have been shown cut away inFIGS. 5-9 to enable the deployment procedure to be seen more clearly. Theassembly160 generally includes afastener162, adeployment wire164, apusher166, and aguide tube168.
• Thefastener162 takes the form of a further fastener embodiment of the present invention and includes afirst member172, asecond member174, and a connectingmember176. Thefastener162 differs from thefasteners100 and140 ofFIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, in that thesecond member174 is of solid construction and does not include a longitudinal through channel or a pointed tip. However, thefirst member172 includes a through channel as previously described and apointed tip178.
• Thefirst member172 of thefastener162 is slidingly received on thedeployment wire164. Thedeployment wire164 has a pointedtip178 for piercing the tissue layers180 and182 to be fastened together. As will be seen hereinafter, and in accordance with further aspects of the present invention, the tissue layers180 and182 may be folded stomach tissue which are to be fastened and maintained together to form and maintain a gastroesophageal flap valve.
• As will be noted inFIG. 5, thetissue piercing wire164,fastener162, and thepusher166 are all within theguide tube168. Theguide tube168 may take the form of a catheter, for example.
• As will be further noted inFIG. 5, thesecond member174 is disposed along side thefirst member172. This is rendered possible by the flexibility of the connectingmember176. Preferably, the first member, connecting member, and second member are arranged so that the connectingmember176 lies to the side of thefirst member172 and thesecond member174.
• With thefirst member172 of thefastener162 slidingly received on thetissue piercing wire164 and with thepusher166 just touching thefirst member172 on thetissue piercing wire164, thetip178 of thetissue piercing wire164 pierces the tissue layers180 and182. The subassembly of thetissue piercing wire164,fastener162, andpusher166 may be guided to its intended location relative to the tissue layers180 and182 by theguide tube168. As will be seen hereinafter, this subassembly may be alternatively guided by guide channels arranged to accommodate thetissue piercing wire164,fastener162,pusher166, and theguide tube168.
• Once thetissue piercing wire164 has pierced the tissue layers180 and182 to be fastened together, thepusher166 may be utilized to push thefirst member172 of thefastener162 through the tissue layers180 and182 on thetissue piercing wire164. This is illustrated inFIG. 6. As thepusher166 pushes thefirst member172 through the tissue layers180 and182, the connectingmember176 follows along beside and immediately adjacent to thefirst member172 of thefastener162 and thepusher166. As may be seen inFIG. 7, thepusher166 continues to push thefirst member172 of thefastener162 through the tissue layers180 and182 on thetissue piercing wire164 until theend173 of thefirst member172 engaging thepusher166 clears thesecond tissue layer182. It may also be noted that at this time, thesecond member174 of thefastener162 has engaged thesurface181 oftissue layer180.
• Referring now toFIG. 8, it will be seen that once theend173 of thefirst member172 has cleared thetissue layer182, thetissue piercing wire164 is then retracted within thepusher166 to release thefirst member172. Thefirst member172 being thus released from thetissue piercing wire164 will return to its original configuration substantially parallel to thesecond member174 and substantially perpendicular to the connectingmember176. When thefirst member172 is deployed as shown inFIG. 8, thetissue piercing wire164 andpusher166 may be withdrawn.
• FIG. 9 illustrates thefastener162 in its deployed position. It will be noted that the tissue layers180 and182 are fastened together between thefirst member172 of thefastener162 and thesecond member174 of thefastener162. The connectingmember176 extends through the tissue layers180 and182.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view with portions cut away of another fastener and fastener assembly embodying the present invention in an early stage of deploying the fastener. Thefastener190 ofFIG. 10 includes afirst member192, asecond member194, and a connectingmember196. Thefastener190 is similar to thefastener100 ofFIG. 3 in that both thefirst member192 andsecond member194 includes a through bore. This permits thefirst member192 andsecond member194 to be slidingly received in line with each other on thetissue piercing wire164. With both thefirst member192 andsecond member194 being disposed on thetissue piercing wire164, thesecond member194 will not be deployed until after thetissue piercing wire164 is retracted from thesecond member194. As a result, the second member of thefastener162 illustrated inFIGS. 5-9 will deploy before thesecond member194 offastener190. However, the arrangement illustrated inFIG. 10 may be advantageous where space is at a premium and theguide tube168 has a reduced diameter. The deployment of thefastener190 by thetissue piercing wire164, thepusher166, and theguide tube168 is otherwise similar to the deployment procedure described above with respect toFIGS. 5-9.
• FIG. 11 shows anotherfastener200 embodying the present invention. Thefastener200 is illustrated in an initial stage of deployment by the tissue piercingdeployment wire164, thepusher166, and theguide tube168 to fastentissue layers180 and182 together.FIG. 12 shows thefastener200 after deployment fastening tissue layers180 and182 together. Thefastener200 may be deployed as previously described in connection withFIGS. 5-9.
• Thefastener200 includes afirst member202, asecond member204, and a connectingmember206. The connectingmember206 takes the form of a beaded chain and the second member is bifurcated at208 to permit thesecond member204 to be positioned between any pair of beads of the connectingmember204. This renders the length of the connectingmember206 between the first andsecond members202 and204 adjustable to accommodate tissue layers of various densities and thicknesses.
• FIG. 13 shows anotherfastener210 embodying the present invention. Thefastener210 is illustrated in an initial stage of deployment by the tissue piercingdeployment wire164, thepusher166, and theguide tube168 to fastentissue layers180 and182 together.FIG. 13A shows thefastener210 in greater detail.
• The fastener includes afirst member212, asecond member214, and a connectingmember216. Thefirst member212,second member214, and connectingmember216 are integrally formed from a same tubular member stock of material. Thefastener212 may be formed of plastic or metal, such as stainless steel or nitinol. As will be seen hereinafter, it is preferred that thefastener212, and all other fasteners embodying the present invention be formed of a material which is capable of returning to a desired shape or assuming a desired shape after being bent. Many plastics and metals are capable of providing this function to render thefirst member212 andsecond member214 self-deployable for fastening the tissue layers180 and182.
• As may be best seen inFIG. 13A, the connectingmember216 is formed of a strip of a tubular member formed by a pair of longitudinal substantially parallel, substantially co-extensive cuts within the tubular body of thefastener210. Onesuch cut218 is illustrated in the drawing, and the other such cut is formed along the opposite side of the tubular body. Thefirst member212 andsecond member214 are formed by a substantially transversecircumferential cut220 between the substantially parallelco-extensive cuts218. The substantially parallel substantiallyco-extensive cuts218 begin spaced from afirst end222 of thefastener210 and terminates spaced from asecond end224 of a second end. Thefirst member212 andsecond member214 are thus tubular member sections between thecircumferential cut220 and the tubular memberfirst end222 andsecond end224. Thefastener210 still further includes anelongated notch226 extending from thesecond end224 of thefastener210 and extends towards thesecond end222 substantially diametrically opposite and juxtaposed to a portion of the connectingmember216. Thenotch226 terminates proximal to the transversecircumferential cut220.
• The foregoing results infastener210 including a throughchannel228 within thefirst member212 and a throughchannel230 within thesecond member214 to permit thefastener210 to be slidingly received on thetissue piercing wire164 as illustrated inFIG. 13. In addition, thefastener210 at thefirst end222 includes apointed tip232 which is formed by a sectioned portion of the tubular stock of thefastener210.
• As may be best seen inFIG. 13, when thefastener210 is to be deployed, it is placed on thetissue piercing wire164 with thefirst member212 andsecond member214 in line with one another. Thetissue piercing wire164 andfastener210 are guided to their proper positionadjacent tissue layer180. Next, thetissue piercing wire164 is advanced to piercetissue layers180 and182 as illustrated inFIG. 13.
• Next, as seen inFIG. 14, thepusher166 is utilized to push thefastener212 through the tissue layers180 and182 on thetissue piercing wire164. As depicted inFIG. 14, the end of thefirst member212 has just cleared thesurface181 oftissue layer180.
• Referring now toFIG. 15, when thepusher166 pushes the fastener so that thefirst member212 is through thetissue layer182, thefirst member212 is free to deflect to a preformed configuration with respect to connectingmember216. Thefirst member212 deflects as shown inFIG. 15 after thetissue piercing wire164 is partially withdrawn as illustrated inFIG. 15. At this point, thesecond member214 remains on thetissue piercing wire164 and has not deflected to its preshaped configuration.
• As may be best seen inFIG. 16, apusher166 and most importantly theguide tube168 are retracted to free thesecond member214 to deflect to its preformed configuration. By virtue of thenotch226, thesecond member214 is free to deflect as illustrated while on thetissue piercing wire164. As illustrated inFIG. 16, thefastener210 is in its deployed configuration. Thefirst member212 self-deployed with the partial retraction of thetissue piercing wire164 and thesecond member214 self-deployed with a retraction of theguide tube168. With thefastener210 thus deployed, thetissue piercing wire164,pusher166, and guidetube168 may be fully retracted. This is illustrated inFIG. 17. As may be best seen inFIG. 17, thefastener210 is deployed with thefirst member212 andsecond member214 in contact with opposite sides oftissues180 and182 and with the connectingmember216 extending between thefirst member212 andsecond member214 through the tissue layers180 and182. The shape memory material of thefastener210 also permits the connectingmember216 to be provided with a preshaped arcuate configuration as shown to cause the connectingmembers212 and214 to securely fasten and pinch the tissue layers180 and182 together.
• FIGS. 18-22 show anothertissue fastening assembly240 embodying the present invention. Theassembly240 includes thefastener210 previously described with reference toFIG. 13A and the tissue fastening assembly ofFIGS. 13-16.
• In addition to thefastener210, theassembly240 includes thetissue piercing wire164, thepusher166, and aguide tube368. Theguide tube368 is similar to theguide tube168 previously described. However, aguide tube368 includes aslot370 at itsdistal end372. Theslot372, as will be seen subsequently, permits thesecond member214 to assume its deployed configuration before thefirst member212 assumes its deployed configuration.FIG. 18 illustrates theassembly240 in an early stage of deploying thefastener210.FIG. 19 shows theassembly240 wherein thetissue piercing wire164 has been advanced to pierce the tissue layers180 and182 while theguide tube368, thepusher166, and thefastener210 are held stationary. With thetissue piercing wire164 piercing the tissue layers180 and182, theguide tube368 may be partially retracted so that thenotch370 is adjacent thesecond member214. By virtue of thenotch226, thesecond member214 is permitted to assume its deployed configuration through theslot370.
• FIG. 20 illustrates thesecond member214 of thefastener210 in its deployed configuration within theslot370. As will be noted inFIG. 20, the connectingmember216 is permitted to assume its preshaped configuration and thesecond member214 is permitted to slide along thetissue piercing wire164 within thenotch226. With thesecond member214 in its deployed configuration, thepusher166 may now push thefirst member212 through the tissue layers180 and182 on thetissue piercing wire164.
• FIG. 21 illustrates thefastener210 with thefirst member212 pierced through the tissue layers180 and182 and thesecond member214 in its deployed configuration. Thesecond member214 is now againstsurface181 oftissue layer180.
• With thesecond member214 first deployed, as may be seen inFIG. 22, thetissue piercing wire164 may be partially retracted to free thefirst member212 and to permit thefirst member212 to assume its deployed configuration. At this point, thesecond member214 is still on thetissue piercing wire164.
• Now that both of the first andsecond members212 and214 respectively are deployed, thetissue piercing wire164,pusher160, and guidetube368 may be fully retracted to leave thefastener210 in its deployed configuration.
• FIG. 23 illustrates thefastener210 in its deployed configuration after thetissue piercing wire164,pusher166, and guidetube368 are fully retracted. Again, the tissue layers180 and182 are securely fastened together by thefastener210 as previously described.
• FIG. 24 is a perspective view of thefastener210 imbedded within atissue layer184 which is adjacent thetissue layer180. Here it will be seen that thefirst member212 of thefastener210 is fully imbedded within thetissue layer184. Thefastener210 may be deployed as illustrated inFIG. 24 by any one of the methods previously described with respect toFIGS. 13-16 andFIGS. 18-22. Once thetissue piercing wire164 is withdrawn to free thesecond member212, thesecond member212 will become imbedded within thetissue184. This illustrates the flexibility provided by the fasteners of the present invention for use with varying types of tissue.
• FIG. 25 is a perspective view with portions cut away of afurther fastener310 embodying the present invention in association with thetissue piercing wire164, thepusher166, and theguide tube168 for fastening tissue layers180 and182 together. Thefastener310 includes afirst member312, a second member314, and a connectingmember316. Thefastener310 is essentially identical to thefastener210 previously described except that itsnotch326 extends the entire longitudinal length of the second member314. As a result, the second member314 may assume its deployed configuration off of thetissue piercing wire164. In other words, when the second member314 deploys, it will be, by virtue of thecontinuous notch326, free of thetissue piercing wire164. As a result, thetissue piercing wire164 need not be fully retracted to free the second member314 from thetissue piercing wire164 after it has been deployed.
• FIG. 26 is a side view, partly in cross-section, of anotherfastener embodiment410 of the invention. Thefastener410 includes afirst member412, asecond member414, and a connecting member which cannot be seen in the figure. One of the first andsecond members412 and414 includes a restrictor or crimp418. Here it may be seen that thesecond member414 includes thecrimp418. The depth of thecrimp418 is controlled to exert a controlled amount of pressure against thetissue piercing wire164. The controlled pressure by thecrimp418 on thetissue piercing wire164 provides controlled resistance to movement between thefastener410 and thetissue piercing wire164. This may provide a more “in control” feel between thefastener410 andtissue piercing wire164 during the deployment of thefastener410. It may also be noted inFIG. 26 that thedeployment wire164 has a bent or curved tip165. The bent tip165 renders thedevelopment wire164 steerable to aid in guiding the fastener to its intended location within the body.
• Referring now toFIGS. 27-29, they illustrate atissue fixation assembly500 which may utilize the fasteners and fastener deployment assemblies previously described and embodying the present invention to advantage. Although the fasteners and deployment assemblies previously described and embodying the present invention may be used in numerous applications, theassembly500 ofFIGS. 27-29 is particularly configured as a transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device for restoring a gastroesophageal flap valve.
• With initial reference toFIG. 27, the device ofFIG. 27 generally includes a longitudinal member502 and atissue shaper504 carried at the distal end of the longitudinal member502. Thetissue shaper504 and longitudinal member502 are dimensioned for passing through the esophagus for transoral placement into a stomach.
• Thetissue shaper504 includes afirst arm506 and asecond arm508. Thefirst arm506 andsecond arm508 are hingedly coupled together at ahinge point510.
• The first arm includes afastener director512. As will be seen hereinafter, stomach tissue layers to be fastened together may be shaped by thetissue shaper504 by thefirst arm506 andsecond arm508 confining the stomach tissue layers therebetween. Thefirst arm506 has atissue engaging surface514. The first arm further includes a plurality offastener directing channels516. The fastener directlychannels516 communicate with thetissue engaging surface514. Each of thefastener directing channels516 serves to direct a fastener into the tissue layers to be fastened together. Accordingly, thefastener directing channels516 are configured and dimensioned for receiving a tissue fastener such as, for example, any one of the fasteners previously described herein and embodying the present invention.
• Thesecond arm508 is aframe structure518. Theframe structure518 defines anopening520 to permit the fasteners to be driven through the tissue layers while being held between thefirst arm506 andsecond arm518.
• Thetissue shaper504 further includes atissue gripper522. Thetissue gripper522 takes the form of a helical coil that grips the stomach tissue. As will be seen hereinafter, the tissue gripper is arranged to pull the stomach tissue into and between the first andsecond arms506 and508.
• Referring now toFIG. 28, it illustrates the configuration of thedevice50 when shaping stomach tissue into a gastroesophageal flap valve. Here it may be seen that thesecond arm508 has been pivoted relative to thefirst arm506. This permits stomach tissue pulled between thearms506 and508 to be shaped as a gastroesophageal flap.FIG. 29 shows this in greater detail. Here it may be seen that thetissue gripper522 has gripped stomach tissue581 to form tissue layers580 and582 in the shape approximating a gastroesophageal flap. With the stomach tissue581 drawn into and between thefirst arm506 andsecond arm508 with the tissue engaging thetissue engaging surface514, fasteners may now be directed through thechannels516 and deployed for fastening stomach tissue layers580 and582 together. A plurality ofchannels516 are provided to enable a plurality of fasteners to be deployed.
• In deploying the fasteners, thefastener directing channels516 may serve as guide tubes for guiding tissue piercing wires and pushers as previously described for deploying the fasteners. Alternatively, fastener guide tubes taking the form, for example, ofguide tube168 previously described, may also be utilized and directed by thechannels516 in the deployment of the fasteners.
• Once the tissue layers580 and582 are fastened together, they will be maintained in the folded configuration to approximate a gastroesophageal flap valve. Thehelical coil522 may then be rotated to disengage from the tissue and the first andsecond arms506 and508 may be pivoted back to an in line configuration for retraction from the stomach and esophagus to complete the gastroesophageal flap valve restoration procedure.
• Because in this embodiment, the contacting tissue layers held by the fastener are both serosa tissue, the tissue layers will eventually grow together. Hence, the fasteners of the present invention may be formed of reabsorbable material which, after sufficient time to permit fusion of the tissue layers, will be absorbed by the body.
• Referring now toFIGS. 30 and 31, they illustrate still anotherfastener600 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thefastener600 generally includes afirst member602, asecond member604, and a connectingmember structure606. As may be noted inFIGS. 30 and 31 the connecting member structure includes a plurality of connectingmembers608 and610. The connectingmembers608 and610 connect thefirst member602 to thesecond member604.
• Thefirst member602 is cylindrical and thesecond member604 is a cylindrical half-section. Each has a longitudinal throughchannel612 and614. The throughchannel614 is a through bore which is dimensioned to be a slidingly received on a tissue piercing deployment wire. Thechannel614 is dimensioned to be optionally carried on the deployment wire prior to deployment.
• Thefirst member602 also includes a conicalpointed tip614.
• Thefastener600 may be formed of any of the plastic or metal material previously described. As may be further noted inFIGS. 30 and 31 the connectingmembers600 and610 are relatively thin to render the connectingmember structure606 readily bendable for ease of deployment. The connecting member structure is further rendered bendable of course by the nature of the plastic or metal material from which thefastener600 is formed.
• Referring now toFIGS. 32 and 33, they illustrate anotherfastener700 embodying the present invention. As with the previous fastener, thefastener700 includes a cylindricalfirst member702, cylindrical half-section704 and a connectingmember structure706. The connectingmember structure706 includes connectingmembers708 and710. Here however, thepointed tip714 takes the form of a tapered section of thefirst member702.
• As in the previous embodiment thefirst member702 of thefastener700 may be slidingly received on a deployment wire. The deployment wire may be received by a bore712. Thefasteners600 and700 may be deployed as previously described.
• While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, modifications may be made, and it is therefore intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (114)

1. A fastener for use in a mammalian body, comprising:

a first member;

a second member,

the first and second members having first and second ends; and

a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members,

the first and second members being separated by the connecting member, and

one of the first and second members having a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis arranged to be slidingly received on a tissue piercing deployment wire.

2. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein one end of the one of the first and second members further includes a pointed tip.

3. The fastener ofclaim 2 wherein the connecting member is flexible permitting another one of the first and second members to be next to the one of the first and second members when the one of the first and second members is on the tissue piercing deployment wire.

4. The fastener ofclaim 2 wherein the pointed tip is conical.

5. The fastener ofclaim 2 wherein the pointed tip comprises a sectioned portion.

6. The fastener ofclaim 2 wherein the pointed tip is a dilation tip.

7. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the through channel comprises a through bore.

8. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein both the first and second members include a longitudinal axis and a through channel along each respective axis.

9. The fastener ofclaim 8 wherein one end of both the first and second members includes a pointed tip.

10. The fastener ofclaim 9 wherein the pointed tips point in opposite directions.

11. The fastener ofclaim 8 wherein the through channels are through bores.

12. The fastener ofclaim 8 wherein the through channels are arranged to be slidingly received by the tissue piercing deployment wire and wherein the connecting member is flexible permitting the first and second members to be in line with each other on the tissue piercing deployment wire.

13. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the fastener is at least partially radio opaque.

14. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the length of the connecting member between the first and second members is adjustable.

15. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the connecting member is formed of elastic material.

16. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the first member, the second member, and the connecting member are all formed of plastic material.

17. The fastener ofclaim 16 wherein the first member, the second member, and the connecting member are all formed in one piece.

18. The fastener ofclaim 17 wherein one end of the one of the first and second members further includes a pointed tip.

19. The fastener ofclaim 18 wherein the pointed tip comprises a truncated cone.

20. The fastener ofclaim 18 wherein the through channel comprises a through bore.

21. The fastener ofclaim 17 wherein both the first and second members include a longitudinal axis and a through channel along each respective axis.

22. The fastener ofclaim 21 wherein one end of both the first and second members includes a pointed tip.

23. The fastener ofclaim 22 wherein the pointed tips point in opposite directions.

24. The fastener ofclaim 16 wherein the connecting member is formed of plastic elastic material.

25. The fastener ofclaim 16 wherein the connecting member is formed of a plastic, permanently deformable material.

26. The fastener ofclaim 16 wherein the plastic material includes a color pigment contrasting with body tissue color to enable visualization of the fastener with an endoscope.

27. The fastener ofclaim 17 wherein the connecting member has a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension transverse to the vertical dimension, and wherein the horizontal dimension is substantially less than the vertical dimension rendering the connecting member readily bendable in a horizontal plane.

28. The fastener ofclaim 17 wherein at least one of the first and second members includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical slots rendering the at least one of the first and second members flexible in a direction opposite the slots but stiff in a direction of the slots.

29. The fastener ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of connecting members extending between the first and second members.

30. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the first and second members and the connecting member are formed of different materials.

31. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the first and second members and the connecting member have different textures.

32. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the first member, the second member, and the connecting member are integrally formed from a same tubular member stock.

33. The fastener ofclaim 32 wherein both the first and second members include a through channel for being slidingly received in line on the tissue piercing deployment wire.

34. The fastener ofclaim 32 wherein the fastener is formed of metal.

35. The fastener ofclaim 33 wherein the fastener is formed of a shape memory material and wherein the first and second members are self-deployable.

36. The fastener ofclaim 35 wherein the fastener is formed of nitinol.

37. The fastener ofclaim 33 wherein at least one of the first and second members is self-deployable while on the tissue piercing deployment wire.

38. The fastener ofclaim 33 wherein at least one of the first and second members is self-deployable upon removal from the tissue piercing deployment wire.

39. The fastener ofclaim 38 wherein the at least one of the first and second members includes a restrictor that provides a controlled resistance to movement between the fastener and the tissue piercing deployment wire.

40. The fastener ofclaim 39 wherein the restrictor comprises a crimp.

41. The fastener ofclaim 32 wherein the connecting member comprises a strip of the tubular member formed by a pair of longitudinal substantially parallel, substantially coextensive cuts within the tubular member and the first and second members are formed by a substantially transverse circumferential cut between the substantially parallel coextensive cuts.

42. The fastener ofclaim 41 wherein the tubular member has first and second opposed ends and wherein the substantially parallel substantially coextensive cuts begin spaced from the first end and terminate spaced from the second ends, and wherein the first and second members are tubular member sections between the circumferential cut and the tubular member first and second ends.

43. The fastener ofclaim 42 further comprising an elongated notch extending from one of the ends of the tubular member, substantially diametrically opposite and juxtaposed to a portion of the connecting member strip.

44. The fastener ofclaim 1 wherein the fastener is formed of a shape memory material.

45. The fastener ofclaim 44 wherein the metal material is a shape memory material.

46. The fastener ofclaim 45 wherein the shape memory material is Nitinol.

47. A fastener assembly for use in a mammalian body, comprising:

a fastener including a first member, a second member, wherein the first and second members have first and second ends, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members, wherein the first and second members are separated by the connecting member, and wherein one of the first and second members has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis;

a deployment wire that slidingly receives the through channel of the one of the first and second members and pierces into the tissue; and

a pusher that pushes the one of first and second members into the tissue while on the deployment wire.

48. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the pusher is also arranged to be slidingly received on the deployment wire.

49. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the connecting member of the fastener is flexible, and wherein the assembly further comprises a guide tube extending over the deployment wire and the fastener, the other one of the first and second members being disposed next to the one of the first and second members within the guide tube.

50. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the first and second members are arranged to be side by side when the one of the first and second members is slidingly received on the deployment wire.

51. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein one end of the one of the first and second members of the fastener further includes a pointed tip.

52. The assembly ofclaim 51 wherein the pointed tip comprises a truncated cone.

53. The assembly ofclaim 51 wherein the pointed tip comprises a sectioned portion.

54. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the through channel of the fastener comprises a through bore.

55. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein both the first and second members include a longitudinal axis and a through channel along each respective axis.

56. The assembly ofclaim 55 wherein one end of both the first and second members includes a pointed tip.

57. The assembly ofclaim 56 wherein the pointed tips point in opposite directions.

58. The assembly ofclaim 55 wherein the through channels are through bores.

59. The assembly ofclaim 55 wherein the through channels of the first and second members are arranged to be slidingly received by the tissue piercing deployment wire and wherein the connecting member is flexible permitting the first and second members to be in line with each other on the tissue piercing deployment wire.

60. The assembly ofclaim 59 further comprising a guide tube extending over the deployment wire and the fastener.

61. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the first member, the second member, and the connecting member of the fastener are all formed of plastic material.

62. The assembly ofclaim 61 wherein the first member, the second member, and the connecting member of the fastener are all formed in one piece.

63. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the first member, the second member, and the connecting member of the fastener comprises separate pieces.

64. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein one end of the one of the first and second members of the fastener further includes a dilation tip.

65. The assembly ofclaim 64 wherein the dilation tip is a pointed tip.

66. The assembly ofclaim 65 wherein the pointed tip of the fastener is conical.

67. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the through channel of the fastener comprises a through bore.

68. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein both the first and second members of the fastener include a longitudinal axis and a through channel along each respective axis.

69. The assembly ofclaim 68 wherein one end of both the first and second members of the fastener includes a dilation tip.

70. The assembly ofclaim 69 wherein the dilation tips point in opposite directions.

71. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the connecting member of the fastener is formed of plastic elastic material.

72. The assembly ofclaim 71 wherein the connecting member of the fastener is formed of one of polyurethane, themoplastic elastomer, and polypropylene.

73. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the connecting member of the fastener is formed of a plastic, permanently deformable material.

74. The assembly ofclaim 73 wherein the connecting member is formed of one of polypropylene and polyethylene.

75. The assembly ofclaim 61 wherein the plastic material includes a color pigment contrasting with body tissue color to enable visualization of the fastener with an endoscope.

76. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the connecting member of the fastener has a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension transverse to the vertical dimension, and wherein the horizontal dimension is substantially less than the vertical dimension rendering the connecting member readily bendable in a horizontal plane.

77. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein at least one of the first and second members of the fastener includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced vertical slots rendering the at least one of the first and second members flexible in a direction opposite the slots but stiff in a direction of the slots.

78. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the first member, the second member, and the connecting member of the fastener are integrally formed from a same tubular member stock.

79. The assembly ofclaim 78 wherein both the first and second members of the fastener include a through channel for being slidingly received in line on the tissue piercing deployment wire.

80. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the fastener is formed of metal.

81. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the fastener is formed of a shape memory material and wherein the first and second members are self-deployable.

82. The assembly ofclaim 81 wherein the fastener is formed of Nitinol.

83. The assembly ofclaim 79 wherein at least one of the first and second members of the fastener is self-deployable while on the tissue piercing deployment wire.

84. The assembly ofclaim 79 wherein at least one of the first and second members of the fastener is self-deployable upon removal from the tissue piercing deployment wire.

85. The assembly ofclaim 84 wherein the at least one of the first and second members of the fastener is distal to another one of the first and second members and wherein the another one of the first and second members includes a crimp that provides a controlled resistance to movement on the tissue piercing deployment wire.

86. The assembly ofclaim 78 wherein the connecting member comprises a strip of the tubular member formed by a pair of longitudinal substantially parallel substantially coextensive cuts within the tubular member and the first and second members are formed by a substantially transverse circumferential cut between the substantially parallel coextensive cuts.

87. The assembly ofclaim 86 wherein the tubular member has first and second exposed ends and wherein the substantially parallels substantially coextensive cuts begin spaced from the first end and terminate spaced from the second end, and wherein the first and second members are tubular member sections between the circumferential cut and the tubular member first and second ends.

88. The assembly ofclaim 87 wherein the tubular member includes an elongated notch extending from one of the ends of the tubular member, substantially diametrically opposite and juxtaposed to a portion of the connecting member strip.

89. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the fastener is formed of a shape memory material.

90. The assembly ofclaim 89 wherein the shape memory material is Nitinol.

91. The assembly ofclaim 87 wherein both the first and second tubular members are arranged to be slidingly received on the deployment wire.

92. The assembly ofclaim 91 further comprising a guide tube extending over the deployment wire and fastener.

93. The assembly ofclaim 92 wherein the fastener is formed of a shape memory material.

94. The assembly ofclaim 93 wherein the shape memory material is Nitinol.

95. The assembly ofclaim 47 further comprising a guide tube extending over the deployment wire and fastener and wherein the guide tube includes a distal notch permitting a proximal one of the first and second members to deploy before the guide tube proximally clears the proximal member.

96. The assembly ofclaim 95 wherein the proximal one of the first and second members is deployable while on the deployment wire.

97. The assembly ofclaim 47 wherein the deployment wire includes a bent tip.

98. The assembly ofclaim 47 further comprising a plurality of the fasteners slidingly received on the deployment wire.

99. A tissue fixation assembly comprising:

a fastener, and

a pair of hingedly coupled first and second arms for receiving the tissue therebetween, the first arm including a fastener director that directs the fastener into the tissue and the second arm including an opening permitting the fastener to be driven through the tissue while being held between the first and second arms.

100. The assembly ofclaim 99 wherein the second arm is a frame structure.

101. The assembly ofclaim 99 further comprising a tissue gripper that grips the tissue and pulls the tissue into and between the first and second arms.

102. The assembly ofclaim 99 wherein the first arm has a tissue engaging surface and wherein the fastener director includes a channel communicating with the tissue engaging surface through which the fastener passes into the tissue.

103. The assembly ofclaim 102 wherein the fastener director includes a plurality of the channels to direct a like plurality of fasteners into the tissue.

104. The assembly ofclaim 102 further comprising a fastener deployment wire extending through the channel and that guides the fastener through the channel and into the tissue.

105. The assembly ofclaim 104 wherein the fastener comprises a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members, the first and second members being substantially parallel to each other and separated by the connecting member when the fastener is deployed, and one of the first and second members having a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis arranged to be slidingly received on the fastener deployment wire.

106. A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device comprising:

a longitudinal member, a portion of which is arranged for transoral placement into a stomach;

a fastener; and

a tissue shaper carried on the longitudinal member that shapes stomach tissue into a shape, the tissue shaper comprising a pair of hingedly coupled first and second arms for receiving the stomach tissue therebetween, the first arm including a fastener director that directs the fastener into the stomach tissue and the second arm including an opening permitting the fastener to be driven through the stomach tissue while being held between the first and second arms.

107. The device ofclaim 106 wherein the second arm of the tissue shaper is a frame structure.

108. The device ofclaim 106 wherein the tissue shaper further comprises a tissue gripper that grips the stomach tissue and pulls the stomach tissue into and between the first and second arms.

109. The device ofclaim 106 wherein the first arm of the tissue shaper has a tissue engaging surface and wherein the fastener director includes a channel communicating with the tissue engaging surface through which the fastener passes into the stomach tissue.

110. The device ofclaim 109 wherein the fastener director includes a plurality of the channels to direct a like plurality of fasteners into the stomach tissue.

111. The device ofclaim 109 further comprising a fastener deployment wire extending through the channel and that guides the fastener through the channel and into the stomach tissue.

112. The device ofclaim 111 wherein the fastener comprises a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members, the first and second members being substantially parallel to each other and separated by the connecting member when the fastener is deployed, and one of the first and second members having a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis arranged to be slidingly received on the fastener deployment wire.

113. A tissue fixation assembly comprising:

a fastener;

a pair of hingedly coupled first and second arms for receiving the tissue therebetween, the first arm including a fastener director that directs the fastener into the tissue and the second arm including an opening permitting the fastener to be driven through the tissue while being held between the first and second arms; and

a tissue gripper including a helical coil that grips the tissue and pulls the tissue into and between the first and second arms,

wherein the fastener comprises a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members, the first and second members being substantially parallel to each other and separated by the connecting member when the fastener is deployed, and one of the first and second members having a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis arranged to be slidingly received on a fastener deployment wire.

114. A transoral gastroesophageal flap valve restoration device comprising:

a longitudinal member, a portion of which is arranged for transoral placement into a stomach;

a fastener;

a tissue shaper carried on the longitudinal member that shapes stomach tissue into a shape, the tissue shaper comprising a pair of hingedly coupled first and second arms for receiving the stomach tissue therebetween, the first arm including a fastener director that directs the fastener into the stomach tissue and the second arm including an opening permitting the fastener to be driven through the stomach tissue while being held between the first and second arms; and

a tissue gripper including a helical coil that grips the stomach tissue and pulls the stomach tissue into and between the first and second arms,

wherein the fastener comprises a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members, the first and second members being substantially parallel to each other and separated by the connecting member when the fastener is deployed, and one of the first and second members having a longitudial axis and a through channel along the axis arranged to be slidingly received on a fastener deployment wire.

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