Apparatus 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.