Vacuum based system and method for treating a gastrointestinal tract of a subject

A medical system for applying negative pressure within a gastrointestinal tract of a subject, the system comprising:

• (a) a linearizing element;
• (b) an elongate tube, including:
• (i) at least one channel along at least a longitudinal portion of the elongate tube;
• (ii) at least one portal in fluid communication with the at least one channel;
• and
• (iii) a shape-forming wire fixed to or embedded within the elongate tube and extending along a longitudinal length thereof,
• the elongate tube having a delivery state when associated with the linearizing element and a first operative state when dissociated from the linearizing element in which the elongate tube forms a coil including a plurality of loops, the coil having an axial length (L) of at least 15 mm and the plurality of loops including at least four loops,
• wherein, when the elongate tube is in the coil form a proximal end of the coil forms a shoulder in the range of 1-60 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the coil, and wherein, at a region of the shoulder, the shape-forming wire is modified to facilitate the formation of the shoulder, and
• wherein the elongate tube has a first flexure modulus in a coil-radial direction of the elongate tube and a second flexure modulus in a coil-axial direction of the elongate tube, the second flexure modulus being greater than the first flexure modulus;
• and
• (c) a fluid-tight lumen in fluid communication with a first end of the elongate tube, the fluid tight lumen being adapted to couple to a source of negative pressure and to deliver negative pressure to the elongate tube via the end of the elongate tube.