Self-propelled, intraluminal device with electrode configuration and method of use

• US 20030125788A1
• Filed: 10/28/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Long, Gary L.
• Application Number:
  US10/281,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20030125788A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0008 characterised by distal tip features
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00082 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00087 Tools A61B17/00234 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00094 Suction openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00147 Holding or positioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00148 using anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/015 Control of fluid supply or evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/018 for receiving instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/273 for the upper alimentary canal, e.g. oesophagoscopes, gastroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/31 for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes, sigmoidoscopes , colonoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/168 Fluid filled sensor housings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6885 Monitoring or controlling sensor contact pressure

Abstract

A medical device is provided comprising a capsule for introduction into a bodily lumen. The capsule can include a balloon filled with a conductive fluid, or a mechanism for actuating wings supporting electrodes. An umbilicus can attach to the trailing end of the capsule. A control unit controls propulsion of the capsule through the bodily lumen.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

a capsule adapted for travel in a body lumen, wherein the capsule comprises a movable portion, the movable portion movable from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration;

a lumen tissue stimulator associated with the movable portion of the capsule.

2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the movable portion comprises a plurality of wings.

3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the tissue stimulator comprises at least one electrode.

4. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the movable portion is biased to a selected one of a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration.

5. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the movable portion is biased to a contracted configuration.

6. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the movable portion comprises a plurality of wings, and wherein an electrode is associated with each wing.

7. The medical device of claim 1 comprising an actuator for positioning the movable portion in the expanded configuration.

8. The medical device of claim 7 wherein the actuator comprises an inflatable member.

9. The medical device of claim 7 wherein the actuator comprises a mechanism.

10. The medical device of claim 7 wherein the actuator comprises a cable.

11. A medical device comprising:

a capsule for introduction into a body lumen, said capsule comprising an inflatable member comprising a conductive fluid; and

at least one electrode associated with the inflatable member.

12. The medical device of claim 11 further comprising an umbilicus.

13. The medical device of claim 11 further comprising a control unit for controlling movement of the capsule through the body lumen.

14. The medical device of claim 11 comprising a visualization device and a lighting device for visualizing inside of the body lumen.

15. The medical device of claim 14 wherein said visualization device is a CMOS camera.

16. The medical device of claim 14 wherein said visualization device is a CCD camera.

17. The medical device of claim 11 further comprising a fluid system for supplying conductive fluid to the inflatable member.

18. The medical device of claim 17 wherein said fluid system is adapted to pressurize and depressurize the conductive fluid periodically.

19. The medical device of claim 18 wherein said fluid system is adapted to pressurizes and depressurize the conductive fluid in association with 30 application of electrical pulses to an electrode.

20. The medical device of claim 12 further comprising a working channel extending through said umbilicus and said capsule, and providing access with a medical instrument from outside the body lumen to the inside of the bodily lumen.

21. A method of accessing the inside of a body lumen, said method comprising:

providing a capsule, the capsule supporting at least one electrode; and

actuating a portion of the capsule to move the electrode into a desired position with respect to tissue within the lumen.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of actuating comprises inflating a portion of the capsule.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of actuating comprises actuating a cable.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of actuating a portion of the capsule provides an expanded configuration of the capsule.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of actuating a portion of the capsule comprises movement of a plurality of electrodes with respect to each other.