Apparatus and methods for manipulating and securing tissue are described
herein. In creating tissue folds within the body of a patient, a tissue
manipulation assembly may generally have an elongate tubular member, an
engagement member slidably disposed through the tubular member and a
distal end adapted to engage tissue via a helical member, tissue
stabilizing members positioned at the tubular member distal end which are
adapted to stabilize tissue therebetween, and a delivery tube pivotable
about the tissue stabilizer. The stabilizing members can be adapted to
become angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongate tubular
member. Moreover, one or all the articulation controls and functions can
be integrated into a singular handle assembly connectable to the tissue
manipulation assembly via a rigid or flexible tubular body.