flexible tube with effector mechanisms on the distal end and actuating mechanisms on the proximal end if desired other devices including but not limited to endoscopes cables pulleys staplers magnets other tubes devices for conveying a variety of energy sources tubes for delivering adhesives and glues etc may be passed through the lumen of the flexible tube in addition to the foregoing the walls of the tube may also have one or more additional lumens through which one or more devices may be passed the effector mechanisms may be used to grasp tissue to assist in manipulating that tissue the effector mechanisms may take any form that will grip the tissue such as suction one or more hooks one or more staples glue magnets etc for purposes of illustration but not limitation the preferred embodiments disclosed herein utilize suction to grasp the tissue in one preferred form of effector mechanism the suction is applied to the tissue through pods these pods are mounted on the distal end of the flexible tube the pods may comprise any shape or configuration consistent with the application intended by way of example but not limitation in the preferred embodiments disclosed herein the pods comprise a low profile curvilinear box with one or more holes formed therein the side of the box with the one or more holes contacts the tissue another side of the box has one or more ports to which suction is applied suction can be applied to the port through one or more small conduits which run inside outside or in the sidewall of the flexible tube suction can be applied to the conduits by any means capable of.