Methods for treating the cardia of the stomach

• US 6,872,206 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Curon Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Qin, Jay, Gaiser, John, Edwards, Stuart D, Utley, David S, West, Scott H
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US10/247,153
• Publication Number:
  US 20030023287A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 607/101, 607/102, 607/115, 607/116, 607/133, 606/41, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00232 having an irregular shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00261 arranged in a line
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00273 Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00553 Sphincter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00755 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00815 : measured by a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 : Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 : in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 : Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• 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 2218/007 : Aspiration

Abstract

Methods treat a tissue region. In one arrangement, the methods deploy an electrode on a support structure in a tissue region at or near the cardia of the stomach. In one embodiment, the support structure has a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region is enlarged in comparison to the distal region, and the electrode is carried by the enlarged proximal surface. The methods advance the electrode in a path to penetrate the tissue region and couple the electrode to a source of radio frequency energy to ohmically heat tissue and create a lesion in the tissue region.

Claims

1. A method of accessing and ablating abnormal tissue in a human esophagus, comprising the steps of:

(i) inserting an expandable member into a human esophagus wherein the expandable member is connectable to a power source for generating radio frequency energy,

(ii) positioning the expandable member proximate a portion of the human esophagus having tissue to be ablated;

(iii) expanding and positioning the expandable member so as to apply radio frequency energy to a site of abnormal tissue for ablation of the tissue; and

(iv) providing ablation energy to a portion of the expandable member to effect tissue ablation.

2. A method according to claim 1

further including the step of identifying the existence of abnormal tissue using visualization techniques.

3. A method according to claim 2

wherein the abnormal tissue identified is Barrett'"'"'s epithelium.

4. A method according to claim 1

wherein the step of expanding and positioning the expandable member further comprises expanding the expandable member so that its outer surface engages the abnormal tissue to be ablated.

5. A method according to claim 1

wherein the expandable member includes a pattern of electrodes that applies radio frequency energy to tissue.

6. A method according to claim 1

wherein the expandable member comprises an expandable balloon that carries at least one electrode that applies radio frequency energy to tissue.

7. A method according to claim 1

wherein the expandable member comprises an expandable balloon that carries a solid state circuit that applies radio frequency energy to tissue.