Catheter structure and method for locating tissue in a body organ and simultaneously delivering therapy and evaluating the therapy delivered

• US 8,753,340 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2012
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Endosure Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mark D. Noar
• Inventors: Noar, Mark D
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomson, Bill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lukjan, Sebastian X
• Application Number:
  US13/409,138
• Publication Number:
  US 20130231646A1
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 606 46- 47
• US Class Current: 606/46
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/02 by cooling, e.g. cryogenic techniques devices for cooling specific reflex points of the body within cell-life limits A61H39/06
• 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 18/1492 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 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/20 using laser
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/24 with a catheter A61B18/26, A61B18/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00494 Stomach, intestines or bowel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00839 Bioelectrical parameters, e.g. ECG, EEG
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0212 using an instrument inserted into a body lumen, e.g. catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/395 with marking agent for marking skin or other tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/296 for electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/392 Detecting gastrointestinal contractions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4238 stomach
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6852 Catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0507 Electrodes for the digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0509 : Stomach and intestinal electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36007 : of urogenital or gastrointestinal organs, e.g. for incontinence control

Abstract

A catheter structure is provided for use with an electroviscerogram (EVG) system. The catheter structure includes an elongated tube structure having distal and proximal ends. Three electrodes are associated with distal end of the tube structure and are constructed and arranged obtain signals relating to myoelectrical activity internally of an intra-abdominal organ to thereby locate targeted tissue that includes main pathways of electrical generation in the organ. Therapy delivery structure, associated with the distal end of the tube structure and separate from the electrodes, is constructed and arranged to provide therapy at the targeted tissue simultaneously as the electrodes obtain the signals at the targeted tissue so that effectiveness of the therapy can be monitored.

Claims

1. An electroviscerogram (EVG) system with a catheter structure for use with an, the catheter structure comprising:

an elongated tube structure having distal and proximal ends,

three electrodes, associated with distal end of the tube structure, constructed and arranged obtain electrical signals relating to myoelectrical activity internally of an intra-abdominal organ to thereby locate targeted tissue that includes main pathways of electrical generation in the organ, and

therapy delivery structure, associated with the distal end of the tube structure and separate from, different from, and not connected with the three electrodes, the therapy delivery structure being constructed and arranged to provide therapy to effect a normal physiological function of at the targeted tissue simultaneously as the three electrodes obtain the electrical signals at the targeted tissue

the EVG system being constructed and arranged to monitor effectiveness of the therapy at the targeted tissue by simultaneously monitoring changes in the electrical signals at the targeted tissue obtained by the three electrodes due to the therapy delivery structure effecting the normal physiological function of the targeted tissue.

2. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 1, wherein the therapy delivery structure is constructed and arranged to ablate the targeted tissue.

3. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 1, wherein the therapy delivery structure is constructed and arranged to cut or remove tissue.

4. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 3, in combination with a source of energy for ablating the targeted tissue, the source of energy being radio frequency energy;

microwave energy;

ultrasonic wave energy;

cryogenic energy;

laser energy;

thermal energy;

chemical energy or agents;

monopolar energy;

or multipolar energy.

5. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 1, wherein the therapy delivery structure is constructed and arranged to electrically or chemically stimulate the targeted tissue.

6. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 5, wherein the therapy delivery structure includes an electrode.

7. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 5, wherein the therapy delivery device includes an implant constructed and arranged to be implanted and left in the targeted tissue.

10. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 1, further comprising a sensor constructed and arranged to detect hormone concentration or cell specific chemicals in the targeted tissue.

11. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 1, wherein the three electrodes are provided in a first, common lumen in the tube structure and the therapy delivery structure is provided in a second lumen, completely separate from the first lumen, in the tube structure.

12. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 1, wherein each of the three electrodes are constructed and arranged to extend in different directions from the distal end of the tube structure.

13. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 1, in combination with an endoscope, at least a portion of the tube structure being received within the endoscope.

14. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 1, in combination with the EVG system and with further comprising a separate respiration sensor to monitor respiration of a patient while the myoelectrical activity of the organ is being monitored with the electrodes, signals of the respiration sensor and the signals of the electrodes being received by the EVG system for monitoring the effectiveness of the therapy.

8. The EVG system with the catheter structure of 1, wherein the therapy delivery structure is constructed arranged to mark the targeted tissue.

9. The EVG system with the catheter structure of claim 8, wherein the therapy delivery structure is a needle constructed and arranged to deliver ink to mark the targeted tissue.