Noninvasive devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of tissues
First Claim
1. A method for shrinking a target collagenous endopelvic support tissue within a patient body through an intermediate tissue, the method comprising:
- positioning a probe within a vagina of the patient;
directing energy from the probe, through a vaginal wall, and into the target tissue, wherein the energy heats the target tissue so that the target tissue contracts and the contracted target tissue inhibits incontinence; and
cooling the vaginal wall with the probe to avoid injuring the vaginal wall when the target tissue is heated by the probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of collagenous tissues, particularly for treating urinary incontinence in a noninvasive manner by directing energy to a patient'"'"'s own support tissues. This energy heats fascia and other collagenous support tissues, causing them to contract. Pre-cooling and/or pre-heating may induce a temperature difference between the target tissue and the intermediate tissue prior to initiating RF heating. This allows the dimensions of tissue reaching the treatment temperature to be controlled and/or minimized, the dimensions of protected intermediate tissue to be maximized, and the like.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method for shrinking a target collagenous endopelvic support tissue within a patient body through an intermediate tissue, the method comprising:
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positioning a probe within a vagina of the patient;
directing energy from the probe, through a vaginal wall, and into the target tissue, wherein the energy heats the target tissue so that the target tissue contracts and the contracted target tissue inhibits incontinence; and
cooling the vaginal wall with the probe to avoid injuring the vaginal wall when the target tissue is heated by the probe.
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2. A method for directing energy into a target collagenous endopelvic support tissue of a patient body through an intermediate tissue, the intermediate tissue comprising a vaginal wall, the method comprising:
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electrically coupling a first electrode to the patient body;
electrically coupling a second electrode to the intermediate tissue, the second electrode mounted on a vaginal probe;
cooling the intermediate tissue with the probe; and
applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes, wherein an electrode surface of the second electrode is sufficiently large and flat to provide a current flux that extends through the cooled intermediate tissue and into the target tissue so that the current flux heats the target tissue without ablating the target tissue while the cooling of the intermediate tissue inhibits necrosis of the vaginal wall.
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3. A method for therapeutically heating a target zone within a patient body so as to inhibit incontinence, a collagenous pelvic support structure being disposed within the target zone the method comprising:
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engaging a probe against a tissue surface separated from the target zone the probe having a plurality of electrodes;
cooling the tissue surface adjacent the probe with the electrodes; and
intermittently directing an electrical current flux from the electrodes, through the cooled tissue, and into the target zone by intermittently energizing the electrodes so that the current flux heats the target zone and the pelvic support structure inhibits incontinence, the electrodes cooling the engaged tissue surface while directing flux and between flux directing cycles.
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4. A method for selectively heating a predetermined target tissue, the target tissue adjacent another tissue, the method comprising:
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generating a temperature differential between the adjacent tissue and the target tissue by pre-heating the target tissue to reduce an impedance of the target tissue sufficiently to locally enhance current density within the target tissue; and
heating the target tissue by conducting a heating electrical current into the target tissue after generating the temperature differential so that the temperature differential urges the heating current from the adjacent tissue into the target tissue, and such that heating of the target tissue by the heating electrical current is significantly increased. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A method for selectively heating a predetermined target tissue, the target tissue adjacent another tissue, the method comprising:
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generating a temperature differential between the adjacent tissue and the target tissue by pre-cooling of the adjacent tissue and pre-heating the target tissue so as to produce sufficient temperature differential between the adjacent tissue and the target tissue to enhance an impedance of the adjacent tissue relative to an impedance of the target tissue; and
heating the target tissue by conducting a heating electrical current into the target tissue after generating the temperature differential so that the temperature differential urges the heating current from the adjacent tissue into the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for selectively heating a predetermined target tissue, the target tissue comprising an endopelvic support tissue and including collagen, the target tissue adjacent another tissue, the method comprising:
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generating a temperature differential between the adjacent tissue and the target tissue;
heating the target tissue by conducting a heating electrical current into the target tissue after generating the temperature differential so that the temperature differential urges the heating current from the adjacent tissue into the target tissue, the heating step effecting shrinkage of the target tissue, the shrinkage of the target tissue inhibiting incontinence, wherein the temperature differential generating step and the heating step are performed using a transvaginal probe so as to shrink endopelvic fascia disposed between a vagina and a bladder; and
circulating a cooling fluid within the bladder.
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Specification