Endoscopic suturing system with retained end cap

A treatment device for use with an endoscope having an instrument channel for passage of an endoscopic instrument, and a distal end, the instrument channel defining an inner wall, the endoscope used to perform treatment in a body and being operable from outside the body, comprising:

• a) an endoscopic suturing assembly including,
• i) a base for placement about the distal end of the endoscope,
• ii) a mounting portion extending proximally from the base, wherein said mounting portion is structured such that when said mounting portion is positioned in the instrument channel of the endoscopic instrument, said mounting portion provides an outward force against the inner wall of the instrument channel to retain said base relative to the distal end of the endoscope, said mounting portion further defining an opening longitudinally extending therethrough communicable with the instrument channel and sized for receiving the endoscopic instrument therethrough,
• iii) a needle holder arm rotatable relative to said base, and
• iv) a gear assembly coupled to said base and said needle holder arm, said gear assembly having a first gear element and a second gear element meshing with said first gear element;
• and
• b) a flexible transmission member having a distal end portion which is capable of being inserted into the body through or adjacent the endoscope, said distal end portion of said flexible transmission member coupled to said gear assembly, said flexible transmission member being actuated by an operation outside the body,
• wherein said gear assembly causes rotation of said needle holder arm upon actuation of said flexible transmission member.

A treatment system for use on a mammalian body, comprising:

• a) an endoscope having a proximal end, a distal end defining a circumference, a instrument channel with an inner wall defining a first diameter and a distal end, said endoscope sized for insertion into a natural orifice of the mammalian body while being operated from outside the body;
• and
• b) a treatment device, comprising,
• i) an end effector assembly positioned on said distal end of said endoscope, said end effector assembly including,
• A) a base positioned in contact with said distal end of said endoscope,
• B) a mounting portion extending proximally from said base, wherein said mounting portion is structured such that when said mounting portion is positioned in said instrument channel of said endoscopic instrument, said mounting portion provides an outward force against said inner wall of said instrument channel with sufficient force to retain said end effector assembly to said distal end of said endoscope, said mounting portion further defining an opening longitudinally extending therethrough communicable with said instrument channel and sized for receiving said endoscopic instrument therethrough,
• C) an end effector rotatable relative to said base, and
• D) a link mechanism coupled to said base and said end effector, and
• ii) a flexible transmission member having a distal end portion which is capable of being inserted into the body through or adjacent the endoscope, said distal end portion of said flexible transmission member coupled to said link mechanism, said flexible transmission member being actuated by an operation outside the body,
• wherein said link mechanism causes rotation of said end effector upon actuation of said flexible transmission member.