|Publication number||US7318802 B2|
|Application number||US 10/998,242|
|Publication date||Jan 15, 2008|
|Filing date||Nov 24, 2004|
|Priority date||Jul 24, 2000|
|Also published as||US6921361, US6986737, US6988985, US8435169, US20020111534, US20030130560, US20030130561, US20050090842, US20080058589, US20110060351|
|Publication number||10998242, 998242, US 7318802 B2, US 7318802B2, US-B2-7318802, US7318802 B2, US7318802B2|
|Inventors||Takayuki Suzuki, Pankaj P. Pasricha|
|Original Assignee||Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (36), Referenced by (104), Classifications (31), Legal Events (10)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
The present application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/909,980, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,361, filed Jul. 23, 2001, which claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/220,204, filed Jul. 24, 2000.
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
The incidence of GERD has increased recently. The main symptoms of GERD are heartburn and mucosal breaks in the esophagus. Although it is a benign disease, GERD is accompanied by serious pain, and often requires treatment. The main cause of GERD is decreased function of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) at the bottom of the esophagus followed by reflux of acid into the esophagus.
GERD is usually treated by administration of acid secretion controlling agents such as proton-pump inhibitors. Moderate GERD will improve and may be treated completely by medication. If, however, the LES function is damaged seriously or if anatomic problems such as hiatal hernias exist, treatment with medication is less effective, and becomes costly over an extended period of time.
Therefore, cases of serious GERD are often treated surgically. Effective surgical methods—including Nissen fundoplication or the Toupet method—are known and applied widely. With this method, the LES is wrapped by the stomach wall to improve its function.
This method has been proven highly effective. Recently, laparoscopic surgery techniques were used with this method as a less invasive treatment. Because there are many patients, and GERD is a benign disease, these less invasive treatments are desirable.
In the composition disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,594, the hook portion d of the piercing device e needs to be fixed to the stomach and pulled. The gastric wall, however, is thicker than the esophagus, and is divided into three regions: the inner mucous membrane; the middle proper muscularis; and the outer serous membrane. In particular, a space between the mucous membrane and the proper muscularis has high movability. To form a protrusion into a valve, tissue including the proper muscularis should be compressed and lifted up. The hook portion d only takes the mucous membrane and cannot include the proper muscularis below it. Thus, the valve formed in this application is not large and thick enough to prevent reflux satisfactorily.
In the apparatus disclosed in International Patent Publication WO99/22649, the rotatable grapser s is integral to the flexible tube o, which makes it difficult to touch the target tissue. The field of view of the endoscope t is blocked by the rotatable fastener head p, which makes difficult for the rotatable grasper s to hold and suspend the junction v between the stomach and the esophagus. Because the position between the rotatable grasper s, the male fastener q, and the female fastener r is fixed, the size of a protrusion x is limited. It is desirable, however, to form a protrusion of varying size depending on the degree of severity of GERD. The difficulty of passing food has already been reported as a complication of artificial cardia in Nissen fondoplication, and is likely to happen with an excessively large protrusion x. Even much a smaller protrusion x is effective for the treatment of the moderate GERD. With this apparatus, treatment is not flexible enough to allow a small protrusion to facilitate food flow in the case of moderate GERD.
The first object of the present invention is to provide the apparatus and method for forming a valve including the proper muscularis below the mucous membrane to prevent gastroesophageal reflux effectively.
The second object of the present invention is to provide the apparatus and method for holding and suspending the junction between the stomach and the esophagus using a holding device extending out of the distal end of an endoscope to improve the ease of the operation for forming the protrusion.
The third object of the present invention is to provide the apparatus and method for forming a valve of varying size by using a separate holding device and a needle to achieve the flexible treatment method, which may be modified due to the degree of GERD severity.
According to the present invention, an apparatus for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease comprising a first endoscope to be inserted from the mouth into a body cavity; a holding device extending out of the distal end of the first endoscope and holding a point of a digestive wall where the artificial valve is formed; a first needle disposed the oral side of the point, retractable along the first endoscope and including a sharp end for penetrating from the oral side of the point to the anal side of the point; a suture passing through following the first needle; and a suture retaining device having a grasping section for grasping the suture after it has passed through the digestive wall.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a treatment method for forming an artificial valve to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease comprises the following steps. Inserting an endoscope from the mouth substantially adjacent to a point of a digestive wall where the artificial vale is to be formed. Holding a point with a holding device extending out of the distal end of the endoscope. Pulling down the point held by holding device. Penetrating the digestive wall from the oral side of the point to the anal side of the point by a needle positioned along the endoscope. Passing a suture through following the needle. Shortening the digestive wall with the suture to form the artificial valve. Fixing the end of the suture to maintain the artificial valve.
The distal portion 12 has a larger outside diameter than the channel 13 of the first endoscope 2. The jaws 17 a and 17 b have a plurality of teeth 24 a and 24 b for grasping tissue securely, which engage each other when the jaws 17 a and 17 b are in a closed position. To minimize damage to tissue when it is grasped, the surface of the teeth 24 a and 24 b are smooth with a minimum amount of sharp edges. The jaws 17 a and 17 b have longitudinal grooves 25 a and 25 b to permit tissue to escape when it is grasped securely, and to prevent tissue from collapsing.
The slider handle 23 has a serrated part 26, which is retractable. The sliding surface 27 of the manipulation section 15 has serrations 28. Together the serrated part 26 and the serrations 28 act as ratchet mechanism.
A hook 30 is fixed to the proximal end 29 of the cable 21, and is inserted into a hole 31 of the slider handle 23. Threads 32 are formed vertically in the hole 31. The hook 30 is fixed in the hole 31 by screwing a knob 33 to engage the hook 30.
The sheath 14 has two catches 70 and 71 at the proximal end, which may be arranged diametrically from each other. The manipulation section 15 has an introduction hole 72 in the axial direction at the distal end to accommodate the sheath 14. Two engagement holes 73 and 74 are disposed within the walls of the introduction hole 72 to engage with the catches 70 and 71. Outside of each of the engagement holes 73 and 74, there are deformable latches 75 and 76, that press the catches 70 and 71 through the engagement holes 73 and 74.
The suture 46 may made of durable, slidable material capable of sliding smoothly in the lumen 8 of the needle 44, such as nylon monofilament or multifilament coated with fluoroplastics.
The guide 5 is fixed on the outer periphery 4 of the first endoscope 2 at several points using a medical tape. The suture 46 is inserted in the lumen 8 of the needle tool 40.
The grip 45 is pulled proximally so that the needle 44 or the suture 46 is withdrawn in the distal end of the needle tool 40. The sheath 42 is inserted from the channel clasp 48 of the second endoscope 6 to the channel 41 until the distal end of the sheath 42 extends out of the distal end of the endoscope 6. Then the body 80 is fixed to the channel clasp 48 of the endoscope 6.
The slider handle 23 is pressed distally against the manipulation section 15 (not shown in
The slider handle 23 is pulled proximally to close the jaws 17 a and 17 b. The tissue 91 is held and pressed by the jaws 17 a and 17 b, but will not collapse to overflow from the longitudinal grooves 25 a and 25 b or because the teeth 24 a and 24 b are not sharp. The serrated part 26 of the slider handle 23 is extended against the sliding surface 27 of the manipulation section 15, and engaged with the serrations 28 to limit distal movement of the slider handle 23. The jaws 17 a and 17 b hold and fix the tissue 91, once it is held, even if the slider handle 23 or the manipulation section 15 is not held by physician.
The first endoscope 2 is inserted deeply into the body to suspend the first endoscope 2 and the holding device 11. The distal portion 12 has a larger outside diameter than the channel 13 of the first endoscope 2. The jaws 17 a and 17 b are wide and long, and the tissue 91 is suspended and fixed by the jaws 17 a and 17 b.
The grip 45 is pressed forward to extend the needle 44 out of the sheath 42. Because the greater curvature of the stomach at the cardia 90 has already been held by the holding device 11 and suspended with the first endoscope 2, the needle 44 pierces from the entering point 93 a through the mucous membrane 94, continuing at least through the proper muscularis 95 of the esophagus, then through the proper muscularis 96 of the stomach, and then through the mucous membrane 97 of the stomach, and exiting out of an exiting point 98 a of the cardia.
Next, the first endoscope 2 is inserted deeper in the body, and the tissue 91 is suspended lower, the needle 44 passes the entering point 93 b, the mucous membrane 94 of the esophagus, the proper muscularis 95 of the esophagus, the abdominal cavity 99, the serous membrane 100 of the stomach, the proper muscularis 96 of the stomach, the mucous membrane 97 of the stomach, and the exiting point 98 b at the cardia.
The first endoscope 2 checks that the needle 44 comes out in the stomach.
The steps illustrated in
The holding device 11 inserted in the first endoscope 2 allows suspension of the tissue 91 while it is held and fixed securely. Because the distal portion 12 is formed larger than the channel 13 of the endoscope 2, the jaws 17 a and 17 b are long and wide enough to hold and suspend a large area of the tissue 91 without damaging it. Therefore, the needle 44 can pierce deep into the proper muscularis. A large protrusion including the proper muscularis of the stomach and the esophagus is formed as artificial valve for preventing reflux effectively.
Because the holding device 11 extends out of the distal end of the endoscope 2, the jaws 17 a and 17 b touch the tissue 91 easily while it is observed by the first endoscope 2. The process is simple for the operator to perform, and requires a short time.
Because both the second endoscope 6 and the needle tool 40 are provided separately from both the first endoscope 2 and the holding device 11, the operator independently controls suspension of the cardia and the positions of the entering points 93 a and 93 b to form valves of varying size according to the patient's particular symptoms.
In the first embodiment, the second endoscope or the needle is provided separately from the first endoscope or the fixing means. The operator controls at discretion suspension of the tissue or the entering point of the needle to form a valve of different size according to the symptom of a patient.
In the second embodiment, a needle tool 110 is composed as follows. Two sheaths 111 a and 111 b are fixed at the distal ends 112 a and 112 b parallel to the distal end 113 of the second endoscope 6. The sheaths 111 a and 111 b are fixed at the proximal portion on the outer periphery of the second endoscope 6 using medical tape at several points. The two sheaths 111 a and 111 b are fixed to the manipulation section 114 and accommodate needles 115 a and 115 b, which slide inside. Grips 116 a and 116 b are fixed to the proximal ends of the needles 115 a and 115 b and connected to connecting section 117 which is detachable.
After the first endoscope 2 or the holding device 11 holds and suspends the tissue 91, the endoscope 6 and the needle tool 110 fixed to the endoscope 6 are inserted into the body cavity of a patient. The endoscope 6 is operated to bring the distal ends of the sheaths 111 a and 111 b to contact with the entering points 93 a and 93 b and press the grips 116 a and 116 b to pierce the needles 115 a and 115 b.
The sutures 46 a and 46 b extend out of the needles 115 a and 115 b and are held and collected by the suture retaining device 50.
In addition to the features of the first embodiment, the second embodiment also is capable of inserting two sutures 46 a and 46 b are inserted at one time. In contrast, using the first embodiment an operator must set the appropriate direction and position of the second entering point 93 b relative to the first entering point 93 a. This takes more time and is more difficult to perform. The second embodiment is simpler in operation and takes much shorter time than the first embodiment because the two sutures 46 a and 46 b are inserted parallel to a certain distance at one time.
In the third embodiment, a needle 120 does not have a lumen. Instead, a suture 121 is inserted and fixed in a through hole 122 of the needle 120.
The needle 120 pierces the tissue with the suture 121 inserted and fixed in the through hole 122. The suture grasping forceps 50 pulls the suture 121 out of the through hole 122 and removed through the guide 5 out of the body.
In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, because it is not necessary to insert the suture 121 in the needle, the needle 120 is thinner than the hollow needle 44 in the first embodiment. The needle 120 can be tapered to have a sharp tip, which pierces the tissue with smaller force to improve operability.
In the forth embodiment, an endoscope 140 has an optical system capable of viewing in the side direction. A channel 141, which opens on the side, has an elevator 143 near a distal exit hole 142 for changing the direction of a tool, such as the holding device 11, as it exits the distal exit hole 142. The orientation of the tool exiting the distal exit hole 142 can be changed from the axial (axis of the endoscope 140) direction to the side direction by advancing or withdrawing a wire 144 fixed to the elevator 143.
The holding device 11 is mounted to the endoscope 140 and inserted into the stomach of a patient. The distal end of the endoscope 140 is rotated by about 90 degrees to observe the cardia 90. The wire 144 is pulled to rotate and lift the elevator 143, thus directing the distal portion 12 of the grasping forceps toward the cardia. The grasping forceps 11 are operated to grasp the target tissue 91.
In addition to the effect of the first embodiment, without inversion of the endoscope 140 in the stomach, the front view of the cardia 90 is observed using the endoscope 140 and the holding device 11 grasps and fixes the target tissue. Therefore, even if a patient has lost a part of the stomach due to another disease, and the stomach is too small to allow inversion of the endoscope 2, the present invention is effective to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.
In the fifth embodiment, the first and second endoscopes 2 and 6 are replaced by an integrated endoscope 150. The endoscope 150 has a first optical system 151 and a second optical system 152. The endoscope 150 has the first optical system 151 and holding device 154 at the distal end 153. A suture retaining device 155 is mounted retractably at the distal end 153.
The second optical system 152 as well as an exiting hole 158 of a needle 157 is provided at the proximal portion of the distal bendable section 159 of the endoscope 150 and is movable in the longitudinal direction. The exiting hole 158 is disposed near the elevator 160, and is rotated by a wire 161 fixed to the elevator 160 to change the exiting direction.
The endoscope 150 is inserted into the body of a patient until the distal end 153 enters the stomach. The endoscope 150 is manipulated to bend the distal bending section 159 to invert the distal end 153 so that it faces a direction substantially upwards. After the first optical system 151 observes the cardia 90, an actuator opens grasping forceps 154 to touch the tissue 91. Then the actuator closes the forceps 154 to fix the tissue 91. Next, the endoscope 150 is advanced deeper to suspend the cardia 90.
The second optical system 152 and the exiting hole 158 are moved in the longitudinal direction. While the area above the junction between the stomach and the esophagus is observed, the elevator 160 is operated to bring the exiting hole 158 into contact with the entering point 93. The needle 157 pierces the tissue and comes out of the exiting hole 158.
The suture 46 is extended out of the needle 157, and held and fixed by the suture retaining device 155 which extends out of the distal end 153 under observation of the first optical system 151.
With the suture 46 remaining in the tissue, the endoscope 150 is withdrawn.
The effects of the fifth embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment. In addition, because only the integrated endoscope 150 is inserted into a patient (as opposed to inserting a first endoscope 2 and a second endoscope 6 as with the first embodiment), the device is operated by one operator, and treatment is simple and takes a shorter time.
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|U.S. Classification||600/104, 606/148, 600/106, 606/139, 600/153|
|International Classification||A61B17/06, A61B1/018, A61B17/28, A61B1/00, A61B1/273, A61B17/04|
|Cooperative Classification||A61B1/00098, A61B1/00181, A61B2017/06052, A61B17/0482, A61B2017/061, A61B2017/06042, A61B2017/003, A61B2017/2926, A61B17/0483, A61B1/2736, A61B2017/0472, A61B1/018, A61B2017/00827, A61B17/29, A61B17/0469, A61B2017/0474|
|European Classification||A61B17/04H, A61B1/00E4H8, A61B1/00S4F, A61B17/04E|
|Feb 22, 2011||AS||Assignment|
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