DEVICES AND METHODS FOR STRICTURE DILATION

• US 20070027467A1
• Filed: 07/28/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Ortiz, Mark, Swayze, Jeffrey
• Granted Patent: US 8,133,249 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/198
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00871 polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0058 having an electroactive polymer material, e.g. for steering purposes, for control of flexibility, for locking, for opening or closing
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 29/02 Dilators made of swellable material balloon catheters for angioplasty A61M25/104

Abstract

Various methods and devices for dilating strictures in a lumen are provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a stricture dilation device is provided having an elongate shaft with at least one electrically expandable actuator coupled thereto and adapted to radially expand to dilate a stricture in a lumen.

Claims

1. A tissue dilation device, comprising:

a substantially flexible elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled to a handle and a distal end adapted to be positioned within a stricture formed in a lumen; and

an actuator disposed around a distal portion of the flexible elongate shaft and adapted to radially expand upon delivery of energy thereto to dilate the stricture.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises an electroactive polymer.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator has a substantially cylindrical shape.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is positioned just proximal to the distal end of the flexible elongate shaft.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a flexible conductive outer shell having an electroactive polymer and an ionic fluid disposed therein.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises at least one electroactive polymer composite having at least one flexible conductive layer, an electroactive polymer layer, and an ionic gel layer.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is adapted to radially expand at least about 30% in size when energy is delivered thereto.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a return electrode and a delivery electrode coupled thereto, the delivery electrode being adapted to deliver energy to the actuator from an energy source.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising an energy source disposed within the handle and coupled to the delivery electrode.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible elongate shaft had a length that is in the range of about 4 feet to 6 feet.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator has a diameter of about 16 mm in an unexpanded configuration, and a diameter of about 25 mm in an expanded configuration.

12. A device for dilating a stricture in a lumen, comprising:

a handle;

a flexible elongate shaft extending from the handle; and

an electrically-expandable member disposed around a distal portion of the flexible elongate shaft and configured to radially expand when energy is delivered thereto.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the distal portion of the flexible elongate shaft has a tapered distal tip adapted to be inserted through a stricture in a lumen.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrically-expandable member comprises an electroactive polymer.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrically-expandable member is positioned just proximal to the distal end of the flexible elongate shaft.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrically-expandable member comprises a flexible conductive outer shell having an electroactive polymer and an ionic fluid disposed therein.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrically-expandable member comprises at least one electroactive polymer composite having at least one flexible conductive layer, an electroactive polymer layer, and an ionic gel layer.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrically-expandable member is adapted to radially expand at least about 30% in size when energy is delivered thereto.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrically-expandable member includes a return electrode and a delivery electrode coupled thereto, the delivery electrode being adapted to deliver energy to the electrically-expandable member from an energy source.

20. The device of claim 12, further comprising an energy source disposed within the handle and coupled to the delivery electrode.

21. The device of claim 12, wherein the flexible elongate shaft had a length that is in the range of about 4 feet to 6 feet.

22. The device of claim 12, wherein the electrically-expandable member has a diameter of about 16 mm in an unexpanded configuration, and a diameter of about 25 mm in an expanded configuration.

23. A method for dilating strictures, comprising:

inserting a substantially flexible elongate shaft into a lumen;

positioning an actuator disposed on a distal portion of the substantially flexible elongate shaft within a stricture formed in the lumen; and

delivering energy to the actuator to cause the actuator to expand radially to increase a diameter of the stricture.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the actuator has a substantially cylindrical shape.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the actuator expands at least about 30% in size when energy is delivered thereto.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the lumen is an esophagus.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the stricture is formed in a stoma.