Tissue capturing and suturing device and method

A combination tissue apposition device and suture clip delivery device for use with an endoscope comprising:

• a tissue apposition device having portions defining a channel;
• a suture clip delivery device slidable within the channel,
• wherein the suture clip delivery device further comprises
• a collet having a body and a plurality of collet fingers extending from a distal end of the body;
• a hypotube connecting the control handle to the collet;
• an outer sleeve situated coaxially about the collet such that the sleeve freely slides along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a pusher situated coaxially within the collet that freely slides along a longitudinal axis of the delivery catheter.

A combination tissue apposition device and suture clip delivery device for use with an endoscope comprising:

• a tissue apposition device having portions defining a channel;
• and
• a suture clip delivery device slidable within the channel;
• the suture clip delivery device further comprising:
• a collet having a body and a plurality of collet fingers extending from a distal end of the body;
• an outer sleeve situated coaxially about the collet such that the sleeve freely slides along a longitudinal axis;
• a first pusher situated coaxially within the collet that freely slides along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• a second pusher situated coaxially about the first pusher and coaxially within the collet that freely slides along a longitudinal axis.

A method of endoscopically collecting, sewing and securing tissue folds in a single endoscopic intubation comprising:

• collecting a first quantity of body tissue with a tissue apposition device mounted on an endoscope;
• sewing the collected first quantity of body tissue into folds with at least one suture;
• collecting another quantity of body tissue and sewing said quantity of body tissue into folds with said suture;
• and
• securing the at least one suture against the body tissue to secure the tissue in its folded configuration;
• all of steps of collecting, sewing and securing being effected without removal of the endoscope from the patient.

A method of sewing and securing tissue comprising;

• advancing a tissue apposition device to a body cavity having cavity walls;
• collecting tissue from the cavity walls and configuring the tissue into folds;
• sewing the folds with at least one suture;
• inserting a suture clip delivery device carrying a suture clip into the apposition device;
• and
• operating the suture clip delivery device to secure the at least one suture to the folds with the suture clip.

A method of sewing and securing tissue comprising:

• providing a tissue apposition device with a capsule having a vacuum chamber and channel formed therein;
• advancing the tissue apposition device into a body cavity having cavity walls;
• collecting tissue from the cavity walls and configuring the tissue into folds by suctioning a tissue fold into the capsule;
• providing a suture and a needle wherein the suture is attached to the needle;
• sewing the folds with at least one suture by advancing the needle and suture through the channel and into and through the tissue fold;
• depositing the needle in a distal cavity formed in a distal tip of the capsule;
• removing the suction to release the sutured tissue fold;
• retracting the needle;
• providing a suture clip delivery device adapted to slide within the capsule channel, the delivery device carrying a suture clip;
• inserting the suture clip delivery device and suture clip into the apposition device by advancing the delivery device into the capsule via the channel;
• securing the at least one suture to the fold with the suture clip delivery device by capturing the suture within the suture clip;
• and
• releasing the suture clip from the delivery device.

A method of sewing and securing tissue comprising:

• collecting body tissue;
• sewing body tissue into folds with at least one suture by advancing a needle through the tissue;
• securing the at least one suture against the body tissue to secure folds;
• without removing the needle from the patient's body, suctioning a second section of tissue into the capsule to form a second tissue fold;
• advancing the needle through the second tissue fold;
• removing the suction to release the second tissue fold from the capsule;
• and,
• retracting the needle.