Apparatus and method for transoral minimally invasive treatment of gastrointestinal diseases

A method for deploying a medical device, comprising:

• a) placing an endoscopic device endoluminally with respect to an esophagus of a patient to a first targeted site within the esophagus, wherein said endoscopic device includes:
• a flexible insertion tube having a proximal end and a distal end and configured for extending in a longitudinal direction and be inserted into a body lumen;
• an ultrasound transducer provided at the distal end and configured for emitting ultrasound and producing ultrasound data to navigate the distal end of the insertion tube to the first targeted site and;
• a first working channel provided at the distal end and configured for slidingly providing tool access and control;
• b) inserting a flexible, elongated member with a piercing part at the distal end thereof through the first working channel to the first targeted site;
• c) creating a connected channel between an inner wall and an outer wall of the esophagus by perforating the inner wall at the first targeted site to the outer wall thereof with the piercing part;
• d) introducing a neurostimulator assembly comprising a flexible sheath and a steerable guide member therein through the first working channel and the connected channel to the outer wall of the esophagus, wherein said guide member comprising:
• an elongated deformable portion at a distal end of the guide member, and
• at least one modulator being deployed about an exterior surface of the elongated deformable portion;
• and
• e) at least partially encircling the esophagus of the patient with the modulator by advancing the elongated deformable portion of said guide member sub-fascially in a subfascial area from the outer wall of the esophagus.