A surgical instrument assembly for the treatment of hemorrhoids includes an anoscope and a hemorrhoid occlusion device. The anoscope includes a hollow body closed at a distal end and at least partially open at a proximal end to define a longitudinal channel. The hollow body has a sidewall provided with a window spaced from the distal end and the proximal end. A shutter member is slidably attached to the hollow body for selectively covering the window during an insertion operation and for opening the window to allow hemorrhoidal tissues to protrude through the window into the anoscope. The hemorrhoid occlusion device includes an instrument shaft provided at a distal end with two jaws, at least one of the jaws including a C- or U-shaped clamping member movable alternately away and towards the other of the jaws for clamping and occluding hemorrhoidal tissues protruding through the window into the anoscope.

A proximal housing for a full-thickness resection device (FTRD) is provided with a plurality of chambers through which fasteners are introduced into a portion of tissue to be resected. The proximal housing has a noncircular cut-out opposite the plurality of chambers to receive a noncircular endoscope. The proximal housing also is provided with a resection cavity into which the tissue to be resected is to be received. In addition, shaft openings are provided through which mounting shafts may be inserted. A noncircular endoscope is also disclosed for insertion into the cut-out whereby the endoscope has passages to house the functions of remote viewing, illumination, insufflation and irrigation.

Described is a full-thickness resection system which includes a control unit coupled to a proximal end of a flexible endoscope. The control unit remains outside of a body when the stapling head is in an operative position within a body lumen. The control unit includes (i) an anvil actuator coupled to an anvil in the stapling head, actuation of the anvil actuator moves the anvil axially relative to a stapling mechanism in the stapling head to compress a folded full-thickness portion of lumenal tissue between the anvil and the stapling mechanism. In addition, the control unit includes (ii) a stapler actuator coupled to the stapling mechanism in the stapling head, actuation of the stapler actuator causing the stapling mechanism to drive staples through the folded lumenal tissue against the anvil. Also, the control unit includes (iii) a tissue cutter actuator coupled to a tissue cutter in the stapling head, actuation of the tissue cutter actuator causing the tissue cutter to resect portions of the folded lumenal tissue.

According to embodiments of the invention, an apparatus for moving a diseased portion of an anatomical structure with respect to a healthy portion of an anatomical structure includes a first vacuum section adapted to apply vacuum force to and hold the healthy portion, and a second vacuum section adapted to apply vacuum force to and hold the diseased portion, wherein the second vacuum section is adapted to withdraw within the first vacuum section.

Embodiments of the invention provide a permanent implanted support for e.g. the urethral neck of the bladder, generally preventing urinary leakage caused by transmission of intra-abdominal pressure pulse waves. The support is implanted in a straightforward manner without the significant complexity and invasiveness associated with known surgical techniques. Pelvic trauma is dramatically reduced. Embodiments of the invention can be used in treatment of stress incontinence, and other types of incontinence, in both males and females.