Devices and methods for treatment of luminal tissue

• US 7,344,535 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2006
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2004
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: BÂRRX Medical, Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hodor, Jennifer A., Smith, George H., Corbitt, Roy D., Sullivan, Vincent N., Shellengberger, Carson J., Jackson, Jerome, Stern, Roger A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Toy; Alex
• Application Number:
  US11/557,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20070066973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 497 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606 48- 50, 607/133
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/06 caused by chemical reaction , e.g. moxaburners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• 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 2018/00761 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• 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 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1807 using light other than laser radiation

Abstract

Devices and methods are provided for treatment of tissue in a body lumen with an electrode deployment device. Embodiments typically include a device with a plurality of electrodes having a pre-selected electrode density arranged on the surface of a support. The support may comprise a non-distensible electrode backing that is spirally furled about an axis and coupled to an expansion member such as an inflatable elastic balloon. In some embodiments, the balloon is inflated to selectively expose a portion of the electrode surface while maintaining the electrode density.

Claims

1. A method for treating tissue in an esophagus, the method comprising:

inserting an electrode deployment apparatus into an esophagus, the electrode deployment apparatus comprising an array of electrodes arranged on an exterior surface of an expandable support in a pre-selected electrode density at a first expansion size;

radially expanding the expandable support to a second expansion size to engage electrodes with a wall of the esophagus while maintaining the electrode density of the engaged electrodes about the exterior surface of the support; and

delivering energy from the electrodes to the esophagus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable support is dimensionally stable.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the electrode deployment apparatus further comprises an expansion member coupled to the expandable support.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the expandable support is furled about an axis and wherein expanding the support radially comprises unfurling the support to selectively expose a portion of the array.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein unfurling comprises expanding the expansion member.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein expanding the expansion member comprises inflating a balloon.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein expanding the expansion member comprises unfurling the support by applying force against a retaining elastic member adapted to retain the support from unfurling freely.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising removing the force against the elastic member after delivering energy to the esophagus.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein the electrode deployment apparatus further comprises a movable shield associated with the expansion member, the expanding step comprising exposing at least a first portion of the array and shielding a second portion of the array.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the energy is radiofrequency energy applied through a multiplicity of bipolar electrode pairs in the array.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the electrodes are parallel, have a width in the range from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, and are spaced-apart by a distance in the range from 0.1 mm to 3 mm.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the radiofrequency energy is delivered at a total dosage in the range from 1 joules/cm² to 50 joules/cm².

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the radiofrequency energy is delivered over a time period below 5 seconds.