Endoscopic tissue approximation system and methods

A method of deploying a suture anchor into tissue, comprising:

• a) providing an endoscopic deployment system having a proximal end and distal end, the deployment system including,
• i) a handle,
• ii) an elongate shaft member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the proximal end coupled to the handle, and the distal end including a micro motor having a motor shaft,
• iii) a suture anchor having a coil distal end with a tissue piercing distal tip, removably coupled to the distal end of said motor shaft, such that rotation of the motor shaft results in rotation of the coil, wherein when the distal tip of the coil is rotated against tissue the distal tip of the coil is adapted to pierce and engage the tissue;
• b) positioning the distal end of the deployment system adjacent a first tissue location;
• c) rotating the coil about the longitudinal axis to advance the coil into engagement with the first tissue location;
• and
• d) retracting the elongate shaft member to uncouple said suture anchor from said shaft member and thereby deposit the suture anchor at the first tissue location.

A method of deploying a suture anchor into tissue, comprising:

• a) providing an endoscopic deployment system having a proximal end and distal end, the deployment system including,
• i) a handle,
• ii) an elongate shaft member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the proximal end coupled to the handle, and the distal end including a micro motor having a motor shaft fixedly coupled to engagement post,
• iii) a sheath having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end, the sheath extending over the shaft member, and
• iv) a suture anchor having a coil distal end with a tissue piercing distal tip, removably coupled to the engagement post at the distal end of said shaft member, such that rotation of the motor shaft results in rotation of the coil, wherein when the distal tip of the coil is rotated against tissue the distal tip of the coil is adapted to pierce and engage the tissue;
• b) positioning the distal end of the deployment system adjacent a first tissue location;
• c) rotating the coil about the longitudinal axis to advance the coil into engagement with the first tissue location;
• and
• d) advancing the sheath relative to the elongate shaft member to cause the distal end of the sheath to push against said suture anchor and thereby uncouple said suture anchor from said engagement post and thereby deposit the suture anchor at the first tissue location.

A kit for tissue approximation through a working channel of an endoscope, comprising:

• a) an endoscopic deployment system including,
• i) a handle, and
• ii) an elongate shaft member having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, the proximal end coupled to the handle, and the distal end including a micro motor having a motor shaft fixedly coupled to an engagement post, the shaft member sized for insertion through the working channel of the endoscope;
• b) a plurality of suture anchors, each suture anchor having a coil distal end with a tissue piercing distal tip, removably couplable to the engagement post at the distal end of said shaft member, such that rotation of the motor shaft results in rotation of the coil, wherein when the distal tip of the coil is rotated against tissue the distal tip of the coil is adapted to pierce and engage the tissue;
• and
• c) suture pre-extending through the plurality of anchors.