| abstract |
An apparatus (200) for forming tissue gatherings, comprising: (a) an elongated tree (204); and (b) a gathering head (202, 202c), placed in the elongated shaft (204), such that the death head (202, 202c) includes: (i) a proximal, or closer, portion (212, 212c) and a distal portion, or further away, (210, 210c), which are movable towards each other and away from each other, (ii) an articulated member (214, 214c), pivotally fixed to the proximal portion ( 212, 212c) and to the distal portion (210, 210c), such that the articulated member (214, 214c) pivots outward as the two portions (212,212c, 210, 210c) are moved towards each other, (iii) a vacuum chamber (217) for tissue, which extends between the proximal and distal portions (212, 212c, 210,210c) and is constructed such that the movement of the two portions (212, 212c, 210, 210c) a towards another it causes the chamber (217) to expand outwardly to accommodate a fold of tissue dragged or attracted into the chamber (217), and (iv) a flexible member (215) that it extends at least partially over the articulated member (214, 214c). |