Method and apparatus for applying thermal energy to luminal tissue
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for sealing tubular organs, the apparatus comprising:
- a rigid main portion coupled to a rigid tubular portion;
said main portion and tubular portion having an inner surface and a generally arcuate shaped outer surface;
means for expanding the tubular portion radially to engage the lumen;
a source of energy sufficient to heat tissue to form a denatured proteinaceous substance; and
means for delivering the energy from the source to the inner surface of the tubular portion;
and means for directing the energy through the inner surface and out the outer surface, when the tubular portion expands to engage the organ, to heat the organ to a temperature within a nondestructive range bounded by a minimum temperature at which tissue forms a denatured proteinaceous substance and a maximum temperature at which water in the tissue would boil.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for sealing luminal tissue is disclosed. The apparatus is inserted into the lumen of the organ and positioned adjacent an area on the organ to be sealed. Energy sufficient to heat tissue to form a denatured proteinaceous substance is delivered through the lumen to the apparatus. The apparatus then directs the energy at the area to be sealed.
214 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sealing tubular organs, the apparatus comprising:
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a rigid main portion coupled to a rigid tubular portion; said main portion and tubular portion having an inner surface and a generally arcuate shaped outer surface; means for expanding the tubular portion radially to engage the lumen; a source of energy sufficient to heat tissue to form a denatured proteinaceous substance; and means for delivering the energy from the source to the inner surface of the tubular portion; and means for directing the energy through the inner surface and out the outer surface, when the tubular portion expands to engage the organ, to heat the organ to a temperature within a nondestructive range bounded by a minimum temperature at which tissue forms a denatured proteinaceous substance and a maximum temperature at which water in the tissue would boil. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for sealing an area of organs having a lumen, the method comprising the steps of:
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inserting an apparatus having a tubular portion and a main portion into the lumen of the organ; inserting an apparatus having a tubular portion and a main portion into the lumen of the organ; positioning the tubular portion in the lumen adjacent the area on the organ to be sealed; moving the tubular portion radially to engage the organ when the tubular portion is positioned adjacent the area to be sealed; emitting energy from a source sufficient to heat tissue to form a denatured proteinaceous substance; delivering the energy from the source to the tubular portion; directing energy delivered to the tubular portion outward through the engaged tubular portion and at the area on the lumen to be sealed; maintaining the energy delivered to the tubular portion affixed predetermined distance away from the engaged organ as the tubular potion moves away from the main portion; and applying the directed energy with sufficient duration and amplitude to heat the lumen to a temperature within a nondestructive range bounded by a minimum temperature at which tissue forms a denatured proteinaceous substance and a maximum temperature at which water in the tissue would boil. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for sealing an seam of a lumen having inner walls, the method comprising the steps of:
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placing an apparatus into the lumen of the organ; placing an optical element in said apparatus that provides a video signal corresponding to images of the inner walls of the lumen; transferring said video signals to a monitor; displaying said video signal on said monitor; moving the apparatus in the lumen until the seam appears on the monitor; emitting energy from a source sufficient to heat tissue to form a denatured proteinaceous substance when the seam appears on the monitor; delivering the energy from the source to the apparatus in the lumen and onto the inner walls of the lumen so that the wall may be sealed; radially aligning on the apparatus the optical element with the location on the inner walls of the lumen where energy is delivered; and applying the delivered energy with sufficient duration and amplitude to heat the lumen to a temperature within a nondestructive range bounded by a minimum temperature at which tissue forms a denatured proteinaceous substance and a maximum temperature at which water in the tissue would boil
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Specification