Device and method for internal ligation of tubular structures

A device for everting a first tubular section of a tubular anatomical structure to form a tissue bundle and applying at least one ligating structure to said tissue bundle, comprising:

• an elongated conduit comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, wherein said distal end is adapted for insertion into said tubular anatomical structure;
• a grasper carried at a distal end of an elongate member, said elongate member being slidably disposed within said lumen, said grasper being capable of extending distally from said conduit, grasping grasped tissue on the interior of said tubular anatomical structure, and retracting proximally with said grasped tissue;
• an active fold mechanism configured and arranged to assist said grasper in everting said first tubular section;
• a ligating structure releasably carried near a distal end of said device;
• and
• application structure disposed near said distal end of said conduit and adapted for applying said ligating structure to said tissue bundle.

A device for blocking a passageway of a flexible tube, at an internal and intermediate location between ends of the tube, comprising:

• a conduit comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therebetween, said distal end being adapted for insertion into one open end of said tube;
• a balloon comprising a dual walled inflation structure having outer and inner walls with an adhesive substance disposed between said outer and inner walls, said outer wall of said inflation structure having pores being expandable on inflation of said balloon to permit passage through expanded said pores by said adhesive substance;
• an elongate member with a distal end adapted to carry said balloon, said elongate member being slidably disposed within said lumen, said balloon being capable of extending distally from said conduit, inflating to create an adhesive grasp on a first tube section of the interior of said tube, and retracting proximally with said first tube section;
• a ligating structure releasably carried near a distal end of said device;
• and
• application structure disposed near said distal end of said conduit and adapted for applying said ligating structure to block said passageway.

A method for blocking a passageway in a tubular anatomical structure, said method comprising:

• grasping the tubular anatomical structure's interior tissue with a grasper, said grasper being carried at a distal end of an elongate member;
• proximally retracting said grasper with respect to a toggling leg having a knee adapted for radial translation to expand a first cross-section of the tubular anatomical structure, to a diameter larger than a diameter of a second cross-section of the tubular anatomical structure at a location being grasped by said grasper, so as to assist in forming a circumferential fold in the tubular anatomical structure;
• activating said toggling leg to assist in formation of a tissue bundle;
• and
• applying a ligating structure to the tissue bundle to block the passageway.

A method for blocking a passageway in a tubular anatomical structure, said method comprising:

• inflating an inflatable grasper to adhere a portion of said inflatable grasper, carrying an adhesive, to a section of the tubular anatomical structure to grasp tissue on the interior of the tubular anatomical structure, said inflatable grasper being carried at a distal end of an elongate member;
• proximally retracting said inflatable grasper with respect to a fold mechanism operable to increase a diameter of the tubular anatomical structure at a location proximal to said inflatable grasper;
• activating said fold mechanism to assist in formation of a tissue bundle comprising tissue from around the entire circumference of the tubular anatomical structure;
• and
• applying a ligating structure to the tissue bundle to block the passageway.

A method for blocking a passageway in a tubular anatomical structure, said method comprising:

• grasping tissue on the interior of the tubular anatomical structure with a grasper, said grasper being carried at a distal end of an elongate member;
• proximally retracting said grasper with respect to a fold mechanism operable to increase a diameter of the tubular anatomical structure at a location proximal to said grasper;
• activating said fold mechanism to assist in formation of a tissue bundle comprising tissue from around the entire circumference of the tubular anatomical structure;
• applying a ligating structure to the tissue bundle to block the passageway;
• and
• detaching said grasper from said distal end of said elongate member.