Methods, instruments and devices for extragastric reduction of stomach volume

An instrument for use in modifying a patient's stomach by operating on the stomach extragastrically to decrease the effective volume of the patient's stomach, said instrument comprising:

• at least two elongate end effectors formed at a distal end portion of said instrument;
• a plurality of suction ports extending along a length of each elongate end effector;
• a resilient and flexible member proximate at least one suction port' wherein the member is configured to provide a physical barrier to the escape of a portion of the stomach from the suction port;
• and
• a connector in fluid communication with the each of the at least two elongate end effectors;
• wherein the connector comprises telescoping segments.

An instrument for use in modifying a patient's stomach by operating on the stomach extragastrically to decrease the effective volume of the patient's stomach, said instrument comprising:

• at least two elongate end effectors formed at a distal end portion of said instrument;
• a plurality of suction ports extending along a length of each elongate end effector and configured to deliver suction to the external surface of the stomach to engage each end effector therewith, wherein at least one port comprises an interior lip configured to maintain contact with the stomach when a portion of the stomach is within the suction port;
• and
• a connector in fluid communication with each of the at least two elongate end effectors;
• wherein the connector comprises telescoping segments.