Method and apparatus employing ultrasound energy to treat body sphincters
First Claim
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1. A method for remodeling luminal tissue, said method comprising:
- positioning a vibrational transducer at a target site in a body lumen of a patient; and
energizing the vibrational transducer to produce acoustic energy under conditions selected to induce tissue remodeling in at least a portion of the tissue circumferentially surrounding the body lumen.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for treating gastroesophageal reflex and other luminal conditions provide for delivering acoustic energy to a body lumen to remodel tissue surrounding the body lumen. In the case of treating GERD, a catheter carrying an ultrasonic or other vibrational transducer is introduced to the lower esophageal sphincter, and acoustic energy is delivered to the sphincter in order to tighten or bulk the sphincter such that reflex is reduced.
480 Citations
62 Claims
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1. A method for remodeling luminal tissue, said method comprising:
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positioning a vibrational transducer at a target site in a body lumen of a patient; and
energizing the vibrational transducer to produce acoustic energy under conditions selected to induce tissue remodeling in at least a portion of the tissue circumferentially surrounding the body lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. Apparatus for remodeling the lower esophageal sphincter, said apparatus comprising:
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a catheter adapted to be esophageally introduced to the lower esophageal sphincter (LES); and
a vibrational transducer on the catheter adapted to deliver acoustic energy to the tissue of the LES in order to lessen gastroesophageal reflux. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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Specification