Abstract:
An apparatus to treat a sphincter has a support member. A sphincter electropotential mapping device includes a mapping electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is coupled to the support member and configured to detect aberrant myoelectric activity of the sphincter.
Abstract:
A method detects at a tissue site an electrical activity causing a transient relaxation of at least a portion of one of a sphincter, a lower esophageal sphincter, a stomach, a cardia or a fundus. The method treats the electrical activity at the tissue site by delivering electromagnetic energy to ablate at least a portion of one of the nerve, the gastric nerve, a nerve plexus, a myenteric nerve plexus, a ganglia, a nerve pathway or an electrically conductive pathway. The method conducts a cooling solution to the tissue site at a flow rate and adjusts the flow rate in response to sensed temperature conditions.
Abstract:
An apparatus to treat a sphincter includes an energy delivery device support member. An energy delivery device is coupled to the energy delivery support member. The energy delivery device has a configuration that controllably produces lesions of a sufficient size and number in the sphincter to create a selectable tightening of the sphincter.
Abstract:
Systems and methods manipulate a support structure to form a composite lesion in a tissue region at or near a sphincter. The support structure carries an array of electrodes attachable to a source of energy capable of heating tissue when transmitted by the electrodes. The systems and methods advance the electrodes to penetrate the tissue region and form, when the energy is transmitted, a first pattern of lesions. The systems and methods retract the electrodes, and shift the position of the electrodes, either rotationally, or axially, or both rotationally and axially. The systems and methods advance the electrodes a second time to form, when the energy is transmitted, a second pattern of lesions either rotationally or axially or both rotationally and axially shifted from the first pattern of lesions. The first and second patterns of lesion together comprise the composite lesion.
Abstract:
A method for treating a sphincter provides a polymer material having a liquid state. The method also provides a catheter having a distal end, a tissue piercing device carried by the distal end, and an energy delivery device coupled to the tissue piercing device. The tissue piercing device has a lumen. The method introduces the catheter into an esophagus and pierces an exterior sphincter tissue surface within with the tissue piercing device. The method advances the tissue piercing device into an interior sphincter tissue site and conveys the polymer material while in a liquid state through the lumen into the interior sphincter tissue site. The method delivers energy to the tissue piercing device to transform the polymer material into a less liquid state within the interior sphincter tissue site, to thereby remodel the sphincter.
Abstract:
Methods of ablating mucosal tissue in an alimentary canal are provided. The methods can include the steps of (i) providing an ablation device comprising a tissue ablation source; (ii) positioning at least a portion of the ablation device at a mucosal tissue surface of the alimentary canal; (iii) delivering a sufficient amount of the source for tissue ablation to the mucosal tissue surface to create a lesion in the mucosal tissue. In one implementation the methods include a step of providing a radiofrequency (RF) energy delivery device.
Abstract:
Methods of accessing and ablating abnormal epithelium tissue in an alimentary canal are provided. The methods can include steps of (i) inserting a vacuum source comprising one or more suction ports into an alimentary canal; (ii) inserting an operative element comprising a conduit for a tissue ablation source into the alimentary canal; (iii) positioning the vacuum source and the operative element proximate a portion of the alimentary canal having a site of abnormal tissue to be ablated; (iv) applying a vacuum to at least one of each suction port to draw the tissue against the operative element; and (v) applying the tissue ablation source to the tissue through the conduit to effect tissue ablation.
Abstract:
An apparatus to treat a sphincter has a support member. A sphincter electropotential mapping device includes a mapping electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is coupled to the support member and configured to detect aberrant myoelectric activity of the sphincter.
Abstract:
Systems and methods manipulate a support structure to form a composite lesion in a tissue region at or near a sphincter. The support structure carries an array of electrodes attachable to a source of energy capable of heating tissue when transmitted by the electrodes. The systems and methods advance the electrodes to penetrate the tissue region and form, when the energy is transmitted, a first pattern of lesions. The systems and methods retract the electrodes, and shift the position of the electrodes, either rotationally, or axially, or both rotationally and axially. The systems and methods advance the electrodes a second time to form, when the energy is transmitted, a second pattern of lesions either rotationally or axially or both rotationally and axially shifted from the first pattern of lesions. The first and second patterns of lesion together comprise the composite lesion.
Abstract:
A sphincter treatment apparatus includes an energy delivery device introduction member including a proximal end with a first radius of curvature and a distal end with a second radius of curvature. The introduction member is configured to be introduced into the sphincter in a non-deployed state and to be expanded to a deployed state to at least partially expand the sphincter or an adjoining structure. An energy delivery device is coupled to the introduction member. A retainer member is coupled to the energy delivery device introduction member and configured to controllably position the introduction member in an orifice of the sphincter.