Jennifer Matthews: Darlene Van Hoos has always enjoyed spicy foods. What she didn't like were the after effects.

Darlene Van Hoos: I would have coughing spasms because of the acid coming up into my throat, just a general miserable feeling.

Jennifer Matthews: Darlene has gastroesophageal relux disease, or gerd. She didn't want to take medication indefinitely, so she jumped at the chance to be in a study on this, the Plicator.

A guide wire helps doctors move this snake-like device through the esophagus into the stomach. The plicator pulls back tissue where the stomach and esophagus meet. Jaws clamp down and deploy an implant that sutures the tissue.

Dr. Alfonso Torquati: We should see our implant in place.

Jennifer Matthews: Doctors tighten the valve between the stomach and esophagus, restoring the normal anti-reflux barrier. The procedure replicates what's done in surgery.

Dr. Alfonso Torquati: Definitely, something different from surgery where people stay in the hospital at least one night and have a longer recovery time compared to endoscopic procedure where people can go back to work the day after.

Jennifer Matthews: Because it's done in a 30-minute outpatient procedure, Doctor Torquati thinks patients will welcome the idea.

Dr. Alfonso Torquati: Some of these patients, they don't want to consider surgery because they think it's too extreme. Now, finally, there is a treatment for them that is available.

Jennifer Matthews: Darlene has noticed a big difference. Now she can experience the pleasure of eating without the pain of heartburn. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.