Method for treating tissue

• US 8,574,226 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tsunami MedTech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tsunami MedTech, LLC
• Inventors: Shadduck, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US12/258,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20090105703A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 606 27- 31, 606/41, 606 45- 50, 607101-105
• US Class Current: 606/27
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• 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 2017/00504 Tissue welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/048 in gaseous form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/005 using gas or vapor, e.g. for protection or purging

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel surgical device scalable to small dimensions for thermally-mediated treatments or thermoplasties of targeted tissue volumes. An exemplary embodiment is adapted for fusing, sealing or welding tissue. The instruments and techniques utilize a thermal energy delivery means, for example an electrical energy source, to instantly elevate the temperature of a biocompatible fluid media within an electrically insulated instrument portion. The altered media which may then be a gas is characterized by a (i) a high heat content, and (ii) a high exit velocity from the working end, both of which characteristics are controlled to hydrate tissue and at the same time denature proteins to fuse, seal, weld or cause any other thermally-mediated treatment of an engaged tissue volume—while causing limited collateral thermal damage and while totally eliminating electrical current flow the engaged tissue volume. The system can further utilize a piezoelectric material that carried fluid channels to apply compressive forces to the fluid eject the fluid from the working end of make it require less electrical energy to convert it to a gas.

Claims

1. A method of treating target tissue in a patient'"'"'s body comprising:

placing a working end of an elongate vapor delivery tool adjacent the target tissue;

inflating a balloon at the working end of the vapor delivery tool to place the balloon in contact with tissue; and

delivering vapor from the working end of the vapor delivery tool to weld, fuse or ablate the target tissue.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the placing step comprises inserting a catheter into the patient'"'"'s body.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the placing step comprises inserting an endoscope into the patient'"'"'s body.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the vapor comprises water vapor.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising vaporizing liquid water prior to the delivering step.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising condensing the vapor on the target tissue.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivering step comprises delivering vapor to target tissue for 1-30 seconds.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the delivering step comprises delivering vapor to target tissue for 5-20 seconds.