Self-anchoring surgical methods and apparatus for stimulating tissue

• US 20050119649A1
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Published: 06/02/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Swanson, David K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,055,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• 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 2018/00273 Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence

Abstract

Surgical systems, devices and methods including one or more tissue stimulation elements that, in some instances, may also be used for sensing purposes. Some of the surgical devices also include a tissue coagulation element.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a carrier movable between an unstressed state and a stressed state;

a tissue stimulation element supported on the carrier; and

a tissue engagement device associated with the carrier and configured to secure the carrier to tissue in the stressed state.

2. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier is configured to press the tissue stimulation element against the tissue when in the stressed state.

3. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the carrier includes first and second end portions and an interior portion and the carrier is configured such that the interior portion will be in spaced relation to the tissue when the end portions are in contact with the tissue and the carrier is in the unstressed state.

4. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the carrier interior portion is curved.

5. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises first and second tissue stimulation elements carried on the first and second end portions.

6. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the carrier is configured to press the first and second tissue stimulation element against the tissue when in the stressed state.

7. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the tissue engagement device is configured to hold the interior portion of the carrier substantially against the tissue.

8. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tissue engagement device comprises first and second tissue piercing members.

9. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tissue engagement device comprises a helical tissue piercing member.

10. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tissue engagement device comprises adhesive.

11. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises a stimulation electrode.

12. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises a pair of stimulation electrodes.

13. A surgical apparatus for use with tissue, comprising:

a tissue stimulation element; and

means, associated with the tissue stimulation element, for securing the surgical apparatus to the tissue and pressing the stimulation element against the tissue.

14. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises a stimulation electrode.

15. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises a pair of stimulation electrodes.

16. A surgical apparatus for use with tissue, comprising:

a tissue stimulation element; and

an anchor, associated with the tissue stimulation element, configured to secure the surgical apparatus to the tissue and press the stimulation element against the tissue.

17. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises a stimulation electrode.

18. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises a pair of stimulation electrodes.

19. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the anchor includes a flexible carrier.

20. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 19, the flexible carrier is non-linear when in a relaxed state.

21. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the anchor includes a tissue piercing device associated with the flexible carrier.

22. A surgical apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the anchor includes adhesive associated with the flexible carrier.

23. A surgical method, comprising the steps of:

securing a self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device to tissue such that a tissue stimulation element is biased against the tissue; and

performing one of a stimulation procedure and a sensing procedure with the tissue stimulation element.

24. A surgical method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the step of securing a self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device comprises securing a self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device to myocardial tissue such that a tissue stimulation element is biased against the myocardial tissue.

25. A surgical method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the step of securing a self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device comprises securing a self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device to myocardial tissue such that a tissue stimulation element is biased against the myocardial tissue on one side of a lesion.

26. A surgical method as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the step of:

monitoring myocardial tissue on the other side of the lesion.

27. A surgical method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device defines a first self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device, the method further comprising the steps of:

securing a second self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device to tissue such that a tissue stimulation element is biased against myocardial tissue on the other side of the lesion; and

monitoring the myocardial tissue on the other side of the lesion with the second self-anchoring stimulation and sensing device.

28. A surgical system for use with tissue, comprising:

a source of stimulation energy; and

an apparatus, operably connected to the source of stimulation energy, including

a tissue stimulation element, and

an anchor, associated with the tissue stimulation element, configured to secure the surgical apparatus to the tissue and press the stimulation element against the tissue.

29. A surgical system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises a stimulation electrode.

30. A surgical system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the tissue stimulation element comprises a pair of stimulation electrodes.