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

• US 9,138,291 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2014
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• 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): Crandall, Lynsey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lukjan, Sebastian X
• Application Number:
  US14/267,967
• Publication Number:
  US 20140243814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 606/14, 606 46- 50, 606/34, 606/41, 607101-102
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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. A method of providing therapy to an intra-abdominal body organ of a patient, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing catheter structure including three electrodes and therapy delivery structure;

wherein the therapy structure is separate from, different from, and not connected with the three electrodes,

b) inserting the catheter structure into an internal cavity of the organ endoscopically,

c) determining a baseline electroviscerogram (EVG) rhythm of the organ using the three electrodes,

d) obtaining signals with the three electrodes that relate to myoelectrical activity of the organ to thereby locate targeted tissue that includes main pathways of electrical generation in the organ,

e) providing therapy, with the therapy delivery structure, at the targeted tissue simultaneously as the three electrodes obtain the signals at the targeted tissue,

f) evaluating the signals to determine the effectiveness of the therapy provided, and

g) comparing results of the therapy provided to the baseline EVG rhythm.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein after the comparing step, if the resulting therapy provided is not adequate, the method includes repeating steps d) through g).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing therapy includes ablating at least portions of the targeted tissue.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing therapy includes stimulating at least portions of the targeted tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing therapy includes implanting in a portion of the targeted tissue, an electrical stimulation device to stimulate the targeted tissue.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a sensor to detect hormone concentration or cell specific chemicals in the targeted tissue to identify specific tissue of the targeted tissue to receive the therapy.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a respiration sensor to monitor respiration of the patient, and

using an electroviscerogram (EVG) system to receive a signal from the respiration sensor to determine artifact and to receive the signals from the electrodes so that the EVG system performs the comparing and evaluating steps.