Methods and apparatus for preventing tissue migration

Abstract

An apparatus for inhibiting tissue migration during a procedure comprises a deployment catheter defining at least one lumen therethrough and a non-inflatable hood projecting distally from the deployment catheter and defining an open area. The open area is in fluid communication with the at least one lumen. The apparatus also comprises a visualization element disposed within or along the non-inflatable hood for visualizing tissue adjacent to the open area. The apparatus also comprises a tissue grasping end effector positioned within the open area and configured to temporarily engage the tissue adjacent to the open area such that distal migration of the tissue relative to the barrier or membrane is inhibited.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.