Application of energy and substances in the treatment of uro-genital disorders
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for treating female incontinence by remodeling tissue surrounding a patient'"'"'s urethra, comprising:
- a plurality of electrodes adapted to deliver energy to urethral tissue;
means for individually controlling each electrode of said plurality of electrodes; and
means for delivering fluids in the vicinity of said plurality of electrodes, said means for delivering fluids comprising a sponge.
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Abstract
This invention provides a method and system for the curative treatment of female uro-genital disorders. One aspect of the invention is that it allows the gynecologist to coagulate the entire endometrium and upper layers of the myometrium in one short procedure that can be performed in a physician'"'"'s office or other outpatient setting, using local or regional anesthesia. A second aspect of the invention is that it can be used to tighten the urethral sphincter and bladder outlet.
161 Citations
42 Claims
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1. An apparatus for treating female incontinence by remodeling tissue surrounding a patient'"'"'s urethra, comprising:
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a plurality of electrodes adapted to deliver energy to urethral tissue;
means for individually controlling each electrode of said plurality of electrodes; and
means for delivering fluids in the vicinity of said plurality of electrodes, said means for delivering fluids comprising a sponge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for treating female urinary incontinence comprising:
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inserting a treatment element including a plurality of electrodes and a sponge into a urethra;
deploying the plurality of electrodes so as to penetrate the urethral mucosa and penetrate into the underlying muscle; and
delivering energy so as to create a pattern of lesions within the urethral sphincter that remodels the sphincter. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
infusing said sponge with cooling fluids.
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18. A method as in claim 16, wherein the step for inserting is performed using an introducer and sheath.
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19. A method as in claim 16, wherein said step for inserting includes inserting the treatment element into the middle third of a urethra.
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20. A method as in claim 16, wherein said step for infusing the sponge also include the step of infusing said sponge with pharmacological agents and drugs.
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21. A method as in claim 16, wherein said step for delivering energy includes delivery of RF energy, microwave energy, laser energy or other extremely low frequency energy.
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22. A method as in claim 16, includes steps for removing said treatment element from the urethra.
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23. Apparatus for treating female incontinence by remodeling the urethral wall, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongated shaft having a distal region;
a plurality of electrodes disposed in the distal region, the plurality of electrodes movable from a retracted position disposed within the elongated shaft to a deployed position extending from the distal region; and
a sponge disposed in the distal region to deliver fluids to the urethral wall in the vicinity of the plurality of electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for treating female incontinence comprising:
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providing a treatment device comprising a shaft having a distal region, a plurality of electrodes disposed in the distal region, and a sponge for delivering fluids in the vicinity of the plurality of electrodes;
inserting the distal region of the treatment device into a patient'"'"'s urethra;
moving the plurality of electrodes to a deployed position, wherein the plurality of electrodes penetrate the urethral mucosa and extend into tissue surrounding the urethra;
infusing a cooling fluid to the urethral mucosa through the sponge; and
delivering energy to the plurality of electrodes to create a pattern of lesions in the tissue surrounding the urethra. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification