Precision ablating method

• US 20070118106A1
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Published: 05/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: BARRX Medical LLC
• Inventors: Garabedian, Robert, Wallace, Michael, Utley, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,997,278 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00482 Digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

Methods of ablating tissue in an alimentary tract are provided. The methods include advancing an ablation structure into an alimentary tract while supporting the ablation structure with an endoscope. The methods further include a step of moving at least part of the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope and toward a tissue surface, before activating the ablation structure to ablate a tissue surface.

Claims

1. A method of ablating tissue in an alimentary tract comprising:

advancing an ablation structure into the alimentary tract;

supporting the ablation structure with an endoscope within the alimentary tract;

moving at least part of the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope and toward a tissue surface; and

activating the ablation structure to ablate the tissue surface.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the ablation structure comprises a plurality of electrodes, the activating step comprising applying energy to the electrodes.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the endoscope into the alimentary tract and advancing the ablation structure over the endoscope.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the supporting step comprises inserting the endoscope into the ablation structure.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the ablation structure is supported by a sheath, the step of inserting the endoscope comprising inserting the endoscope into the sheath.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of inserting the endoscope into the sheath comprises creating an opening in the sheath.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the advancing step comprises advancing the ablation structure through a channel of the endoscope.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the supporting step comprises supporting the ablation structure with a channel of the endoscope.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising advancing a deflection member through a channel of the endoscope, the moving step comprising deflecting the ablation structure with the deflection member.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving step comprises inflating an inflatable member within the alimentary tract.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving step comprises expanding a deflection member.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving step comprises moving a deflection member.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving step comprises pivoting the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising expanding the ablation structure from a first configuration to a second radially expanded configuration.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching the ablation structure to the endoscope with an elastomeric sheath.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the ablation structure is attached to a rolled sheath, the method further comprising unrolling the sheath over an outside surface of the endoscope.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the unrolling step further comprises unrolling the sheath over part of the ablation structure.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising attaching the ablation structure to a channel of the endoscope.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the tissue surface comprises a first treatment area, the applying step comprising activating the ablation structure to ablate the first treatment area, the method further comprising moving the ablation structure to a second area without removing the ablation structure from the patient and activating the ablation structure to ablate the second tissue area.

20. A method of ablating tissue in an alimentary tract comprising:

advancing an ablation structure into the alimentary tract;

supporting the ablation structure with an endoscope within the alimentary tract;

bending a distal end of the endoscope to move the ablation structure into contact with a tissue surface; and

activating the ablation structure to ablate the tissue surface.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising moving the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the moving step comprises pivoting the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the moving step comprises moving the ablation structure radially outward from the endoscope.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the tissue surface comprises a first treatment area, the activating step comprising activating the ablation structure to ablate the first treatment area, the method further comprising moving the ablation structure to a second area without removing the ablation structure from the patient and activating the ablation structure to ablate the second tissue area.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the ablation structure comprises a plurality of electrodes, the activating step comprising applying energy to the electrodes.