Method for treatment of air way obstructions

• US 5,707,349 A
• Filed: 02/23/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Edwards, Stuart D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael Powell
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENDEZ, MANUEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/606,195
• Time in Patent Office: 690 Days
• Field of Search: 606/27-34, 606/37-42, 606/45-52, 606/110, 606/111, 604/21, 604/22, 607/96-102, 607/134, 607/135, 607/154, 607/156
• US Class Current: 604/22
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/24 for use in the oral cavity, larynx, bronchial passages or nose for medical inspection of cavities or tubes in the body A61B1/00; Tongue scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• 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 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00814 Surgery of the tongue, e.g. glossoplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/248 Operations for treatment of snoring, e.g. uvulopalatoplasty
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/306 holding by means of suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00261 : arranged in a line
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 : using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00327 : Ear, nose or throat
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00636 : Sensing and controlling the application of energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00666 : using a threshold value
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 : upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00708 : switching the power on or off
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00744 : Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00773 : Sensed parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 : Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 : Voltage
• 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 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 : transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/003 : using a spray or a foam
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 : Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/415 : the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0096 : being laterally outward extensions or tools, e.g. hooks or fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 : for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/403 : for thermotherapy, e.g. hyperthermia
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/04 : Radiators for near-field treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/045 : specially adapted for treatment inside the body

Abstract

A method for debulking the tongue provides an ablation apparatus including a source of electromagnetic energy and one or more electromagnetic energy delivery electrodes coupled to the electromagnetic energy source. At least one electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue. Electromagnetic energy is delivered from the electrode to debulk an interior section of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. The electrode is then retracted from the interior of the tongue.

Claims

1. A method for reducing a volume of a tongue, comprising:

providing an ablation apparatus including a source of electromagnetic energy and one or more electromagnetic energy delivery electrodes coupled to the electromagnetic energy source;

advancing at least one electrode into an interior of the tongue;

delivering a sufficient amount of electromagnetic energy from the electrode into the interior of the tongue to debulk a section of the tongue without damaging the hypoglossal nerve; and

retracting the electrode from the interior of the tongue.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy source is an RF source.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy source is a microwave source.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a ventral surface of the tongue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through an inferior dorsal surface of the tongue.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a dorsum surface of the tongue.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a tip of the tongue.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein two or more electrodes are advanced into a different interior area of the tongue.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein two or more electrodes are introduced through a different surface site of the tongue.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the ablation apparatus further comprises:

a catheter including a lumen, wherein the electrode is deployed from the catheter lumen into an interior of the tongue.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the catheter further comprises:

a cooling element.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the cooling element comprises a cooling channel in an interior of the catheter, the cooling channel receiving a cooling medium and circulating the cooling medium through the interior of the catheter.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

cooling a surface of the tongue while an electrode ablates an interior section of the tongue.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the catheter is introduced into an oral cavity and one or more electrodes are introduced into an interior of the tongue through one of an inferior dorsal surface of the tongue, a dorsum surface of the tongue, or a tip of the tongue.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the catheter is introduced into an oral cavity and one or more electrodes are introduced into an interior of the tongue through a ventral surface of the tongue.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing an imaging apparatus.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the imaging apparatus is an ultrasound device.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

imaging the tongue prior to debulking the tongue.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

imaging the tongue after debulking the tongue.

20. A method for treating airway obstructions, comprising:

providing an ablation apparatus including a source of electromagnetic energy and one or more electromagnetic energy delivery electrodes coupled to the electromagnetic energy source;

advancing at least one electrode into an interior of a tongue;

delivering sufficient electromagnetic energy from the electrode into the interior of the tongue to debulk an interior section without damaging a hypoglossal nerve; and

retracting the electrode from the interior of the tongue.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a ventral surface of the tongue.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through an inferior dorsal surface of the tongue.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a dorsum surface of the tongue.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrode is advanced into an interior of the tongue through a tip of the tongue.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the ablation apparatus further comprises:

a catheter including a lumen, wherein the electrode is deployed from the catheter lumen into an interior of the tongue.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the catheter is introduced into an oral cavity and one or more electrodes are introduced into an interior of the tongue through one of an inferior dorsal surface of the tongue, a dorsum surface of the tongue, or a tip of the tongue.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the catheter is introduced into an oral cavity and one or more electrodes are introduced into an interior of the tongue through a ventral surface of the tongue.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein the energy source is an RF source.

29. The method of claim 20, wherein the tongue is debulked sufficiently to increase a cross-sectional area of the airway passage.

30. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

providing an imaging apparatus.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

imaging the tongue prior to debulking.

32. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

imaging the tongue after debulking.

33. A method for treating airway obstructions, comprising:

providing an ablation apparatus including a source of electromagnetic energy and one or more electromagnetic energy delivery electrodes coupled to the electromagnetic energy source;

advancing at least one electrode into a lingual tonsil;

delivering sufficient electromagnetic energy from the electrode into an interior of the lingual tonsil and debulk the lingual tonsil; and

retracting the electrode from the lingual tonsil.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the energy source is an RF source.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein one or more electrodes are advanced into a different section of the lingual tonsil.

36. The method of claim 33, further comprising:

providing an imaging apparatus.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the imaging apparatus is an ultrasound device.

38. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

imaging the lingual tonsil prior to debulking.

39. The method of claim 36, further comprising:

imaging the lingual tonsil after debulking.

40. A method for reducing a volume of a tongue, comprising:

providing an ablation apparatus including one or more RF electrodes coupled to an RF energy source;

positioning at least one electrode into an interior of the tongue;

delivering RF energy from the electrode into the interior of the tongue; and

ablating a section in the interior of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve.

41. A method for treating airway obstructions, comprising:

providing an ablation apparatus including one or more RF electrodes coupled to an RF energy source;

positioning at least one electrode into an interior of a tongue;

delivering RF energy from the electrode into the interior of the tongue; and

creating cell necrosis in the interior of the tongue without damaging a hypoglossal nerve.

42. A method for treating airway obstructions, comprising:

providing an ablation apparatus including one or more RF electrodes coupled to an RF energy;

positioning at least one electrode into an interior of a lingual tonsil;

delivering sufficient RF energy from the electrode into an interior of the lingual tonsil;

creating cell necrosis in the interior of the lingual tonsil.