TOM R DEMEESTER
Medical Practice in Pasadena, CA

5088979, Feb 18, 1992

Nov 2, 1990

7/608339

Charles J. Filipi - Marshalltown IA
Tom R. DeMeester - San Marino CA
Rebecca C. Gibbs - Burlington NC
Ronald A. Hinder - Omaha NE

Wilson-Cook Medical Inc. - Winston-Salem NC

A61M 3700

604 26

A technique for invaginating the esophagus at the gastroesophageal junction is disclosed, as well as an invagination device useful in the described technique. The invagination device includes an introducer guide which has an outside diameter approximating that of the esophagus and a plurality of needle-receiving lumens extending to its outer diametric surface. The invagination device also has an engagement assembly which includes 10 needles, each having a retracted position in which they lie within the needle-receiving lumens of the introducer guide, and an extended position in which they extend out of the lumens and project radially from the guide for engagement with the esophagus at the gastroesophageal junction. The invagination device is introduced transorally into the esophagus, its engagement assembly is activated to place the needles in their extended position in engagement with the esophagus, and the engaged invagination device is advanced the toward the stomach to fold the attached esophagus beyond the gastroesophageal junction. A remotely operable fastening assembly, which has been introduced into the stomach through an operating channel/insufflation port, is then operated to fasten the invaginated gastroesophageal junction to the surrounding involuted fundic wall.