Method for vacuum-assisted tissue ablation

• US 7,507,238 B2
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: BARRX Medical LLC
• Inventors: West, Scott, Qin, Jay, Gaiser, John, Edwards, Stuart D, Utley, David S
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US11/420,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20060259030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/42, 606 45- 50, 607/101, 607/102, 607/116, 607/133, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1477 Needle-like probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1485 having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings
• 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 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00232 having an irregular shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00261 arranged in a line
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00273 Anchoring means for temporary attachment of a device to tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00553 Sphincter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• 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 2018/00755 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 : measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00815 : measured by a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00898 : Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 : in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1425 : Needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 : Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3782 : transmitter or receiver in catheter or minimal invasive instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 : Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 : Aspiration

Abstract

Methods of accessing and ablating abnormal epithelium tissue in an alimentary canal are provided. The methods can include steps of (i) inserting a vacuum source comprising one or more suction ports into an alimentary canal; (ii) inserting an operative element comprising a conduit for a tissue ablation source into the alimentary canal; (iii) positioning the vacuum source and the operative element proximate a portion of the alimentary canal having a site of abnormal tissue to be ablated; (iv) applying a vacuum to at least one of each suction port to draw the tissue against the operative element; and (v) applying the tissue ablation source to the tissue through the conduit to effect tissue ablation.

Claims

1. A method of accessing and ablating abnormal epithelium tissue in a portion of an alimentary canal comprising:

(i) inserting a vacuum source comprising one or more suction ports into the alimentary canal;

(ii) inserting an operative element comprising a conduit for a tissue ablation source into the alimentary canal;

(iii) expanding a proximal balloon and a distal balloon of the operative element to seal the portion of the alimentary canal around the abnormal epithelium tissue;

(iv) positioning the vacuum source and the operative element proximate the portion of the alimentary canal having the abnormal tissue to be ablated;

(v) applying a vacuum to at least one of each suction port to draw the tissue against the operative element; and

(vi) applying the tissue ablation source to the tissue through the conduit to effect tissue ablation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source is provided by inserting an endoscope comprising the vacuum source into an alimentary canal.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the operative element is disposable within and deployable from a lumen of the endoscope.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source is provided by the operative element.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue ablation source is RF energy and the conduit for RF energy is one or more RF electrode.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the tissue ablation source is selected from the group consisting of radio frequency (RF) energy, coherent or incoherent light, resistive heating, microwave energy, ultrasound, a heated fluid and a cryogenic fluid.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the tissue ablation source is RF energy.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the conduit for RF energy is one or more RF electrode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the electrodes comprise an array of electrodes.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein at least one of each electrode comprises solid state circuitry.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the electrodes comprise bipolar electrodes.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the RF energy source delivers energy at a frequency in the range of about 400 kHz to about 10 mHz.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the abnormal epithelium comprises Barrett'"'"'s epithelium.