Cell necrosis apparatus

• US 6,416,491 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gyrus ACMI, Inc. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gyrus ENT LLC (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Lax, Ronald G., Edwards, Stuart D.
• Primary Examiner(s): KENNEDY, SHARON E
• Application Number:
  US09/328,686
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 604/21-22, 606/27-34, 606/37-42, 606/45-52, 606/110, 606/111, 602/96-102, 602/134, 602/135, 602/154, 602/156
• 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 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 18/18 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 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00101 low, i.e. thermally insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• 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 2018/00708 : 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 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• 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 2218/003 : using a spray or a foam
• 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

An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece means and an electrode means at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece means. The electrode means includes an electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface and is advance able from the interior of the handpiece means into the interior of the tongue. An electrode means advancement member is coupled to the electrode means and configured to advance the electrode means an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface to deliver electromagnetic energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. A cable means is coupled to the electrode means.

Claims

1. A cell necrosis apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of a tongue in an oral cavity, comprising:

a handpiece; and

an RF electrolytic electrode coupled to the handpiece including a distal end insertable into tissue, the RF electrolytic electrode and handpiece being configured to be maneuverable in the oral cavity with at least a portion of the RF electrolytic electrode being insertable into a tongue surface, the RF electrolytic electrode configured to provide a sufficient delivery of an electrolytic solution and having an energy delivery surface sized to create a controllable submucosal cell necrosis without damaging a main branch of the hypoglossal nerve.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an RF energy source coupled to the RF electrolytic electrode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cooling device coupled to the RF electrolytic electrode.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a flow rate control device coupled to the cooling device and configured to control a cooling medium flow rate through the cooling device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an insulator at least partially positioned around an exterior of the RF electrolytic electrode.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the RF electrolytic electrode has an RF electrolytic electrode advancement length extending from an exterior of the handpiece to the interior of the tongue, wherein the advancement length is sufficient to position the energy delivery surface at the selected site and deliver sufficient electromagnetic energy to create cell necrosis without damaging a main branch of a hypoglossal nerve.

7. A cell necrosis apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of a uvula, comprising:

a handpiece; and

an RF electrolytic electrode coupled to the handpiece including a distal end insertable into tissue, the RF electrolytic electrode and handpiece being configured to be maneuverable in the oral cavity with at least a portion of the RF electrolytic electrode being insertable into a uvula surface, the RF electrolytic electrode being configured to delivery a sufficient amount of an electrolytic media and having an energy delivery surface sized to create a controllable cell necrosis in the uvula while substantially preserving an uvula mucosal layer at an exterior of the uvula.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

an RF energy source coupled to the RF electrolytic electrode.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a cooling device coupled to the RF electrolytic electrode.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a flow rate control device coupled to the cooling device and configured to control a cooling medium flow rate through the cooling device.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

an insulator at least partially positioned around an exterior of the RF electrolytic electrode.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the RF electrolytic electrode has an RF electrode advancement length extending from an exterior of the handpiece to the interior of the uvula, wherein the advancement length is sufficient to position the energy delivery surface at the selected site and deliver sufficient electromagnetic energy to create the controlled cell necrosis with reduced necrosis of an exterior mucosal surface.

13. A cell necrosis apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of a turbinate structure, comprising:

a handpiece; and

an RF electrolytic electrode coupled to the handpiece including a distal end insertable into tissue, the RF electrolytic electrode and the handpiece being configured to be maneuverable in a nostril with at least a portion of the RF electrolytic electrode being initially positionable adjacect to an exterior and then into an interior of a turbinate, deliver an electrolytic media and electromagnetic energy to create a controlled cell necrosis of the turbinate structure from the exterior to the interior of the turbinate structure to increase a size of a nasal passageway.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

an RF energy source coupled to the RF electrolytic electrode.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a cooling device coupled to the RF electrolytic electrode.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a flow rate control device coupled to the cooling device and configured to control a cooling medium flow rate through the cooling device.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

an insulator at least partially positioned around an exterior of the RF electrolytic electrode.

18. A cell necrosis apparatus to reduce a volume of a selected site in an interior of a soft palate structure, comprising:

a handpiece; and

an RF electrolytic electrode coupled to the handpiece including a distal end insertable into tissue, the RF electrolytic electrode and the handpiece being configured to be maneuverable in an oral cavity, the RF electrolytic electrode being configured to deliver an electrolytic media and having an energy delivery surface sized to be inserted into a soft palate structure surface, deliver electromagnetic energy to the tissue site and create a controlled cell necrosis of the soft palate structure in an oral cavity with reduced necrosis of an exterior mucosal surface of the soft palate structure.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

an RF energy source coupled to the RF electrolytic electrode.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a cooling device coupled to the RF electrolytic electrode.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

a flow rate control device coupled to the cooling device and configured to control a cooling medium flow rate through the cooling device.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

an insulator at least partially positioned around an exterior of the RF electrolytic electrode.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the RF electrolytic electrode has an RF electrolytic electrode advancement length extending from an exterior of the handpiece to the interior of the soft palate structure, wherein the advancement length is sufficient to create the controlled cell necrosis with reduced necrosis of the exterior mucosal surface of the soft palate structure.