Devices and Methods for Treatment of Luminal Tissue

• US 20080097427A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: BÂRRX Medical, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Smith, George, Jackson, Jerome, Sullivan, Vincent, Hodor, Jennifer, Stern, Roger, Shellengberger, Carson, Corbitt, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 8,192,426 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/06 caused by chemical reaction , e.g. moxaburners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00761 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1807 using light other than laser radiation

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for treatment of tissue in a body lumen with an electrode deployment device. Embodiments typically include a device with a plurality of electrodes having a pre-selected electrode density arranged on the surface of a support. The support may comprise a non-distensible electrode backing that is spirally furled about an axis and coupled to an expansion member such as an inflatable elastic balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon is inflated to selectively expose a portion of the electrode surface while maintaining the electrode density.

Claims

1. An electrode deployment apparatus for treatment of tissue in a body lumen, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of electrodes arranged on a surface of a dimensionally stable support at a pre-selected electrode density; and

an expansion member coupled to the support to deploy and selectively expose a portion of the electrode surface while shielding a remaining portion and maintaining the electrode density.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising wiring adapted to connect the electrodes to a radiofrequency power source as a multiplicity of bipolar pairs.

3. An apparatus as in claim 2, wherein the support comprises a non-distensible, electrode backing.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the electrode backing is spirally furled about an axis of an expansion member prior to deployment.

5. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the electrodes are aligned in a generally axial direction on the surface of the electrode backing.

6. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the electrodes are aligned in a generally transverse direction on the surface of the electrode backing.

7. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the electrodes are linear and arranged in a parallel pattern on the support.

8. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the electrodes are non-linear and arranged in a parallel pattern on the support.

9. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the parallel electrodes have a width in the range from 0.1 mm to 3 mm and a spacing in the range from 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

10. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the expansion member comprises an inflatable balloon.

11. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the inflatable balloon inflates elastically.

12. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the support is furled at least partially around the balloon, so that the support unfurls as the balloon is inflated.

13. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the support is furled in an overlapping manner.

14. An apparatus as in claims 13, further comprising an elastic member coupled to the support to retain the support in contact with the balloon.

15. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the support is attached at one end to a surface of the balloon and a second end of the support is unattached and furled around the balloon to overlap the first end.

16. An apparatus as in claim 12, wherein the support is attached at its midpoint to a surface of the balloon, and first and second ends of the support are unattached and furled in opposite directions around the balloon.

17. An apparatus as in claim 16, wherein the first and second ends of the support overlap.

18. An apparatus as in claim 16, further comprising a second support that is attached at its midpoint to a point on the balloon approximately opposite the midpoint of the first support, the two ends of the second support overlapping the ends of the first support as they are furled around the balloon.

19. An apparatus as in claim 10, further comprising a cylindrical container having an axial slot whereas the furled support is within the container and a first end of the backing passes through the slot and around the expandable balloon, the first end of the support being attached to the container, wherein the support unfurls from the container as the balloon is expanded.

20. An apparatus as in claim 19, wherein the support is attached to the balloon at a location proximal to the slot.