Cleaning device and methods

• US 8,273,012 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2007
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Wallace, Michael, Utley, David S., Gerberding, Brent, Garabedian, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANEGA, RENEE A
• Application Number:
  US11/830,251
• Publication Number:
  US 20090036733A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,884 Days
• Field of Search: 600/104, 600/562, 606/41
• US Class Current: 600/104
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• 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 2017/320008 Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320012 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32008 preventing clogging of suction channel

Abstract

An apparatus for treating tissue within a lumen may include a therapeutic or diagnostic instrument. A cleaning device may also be supported by the instrument. The cleaning device has a portion of a cleaning surface positioned proximal to the distal end of the cleaning device.

Claims

1. A method of treating tissue requiring treatment in an alimentary tract, the method comprising:

positioning a therapy system within the alimentary tract, the therapy system comprising an instrument including an ablation device positioned at a distal end and a cleaning device supported positioned adjacent to and proximal the ablation device;

moving the ablation device to a treatment site in the alimentary tract;

ablating tissue at the treatment site;

moving the cleaning device to the treatment site while the ablation device remains in proximity of the treatment site; and

contacting and cleaning tissue treated by the ablation device by moving the cleaning device relative to the treatment site for removing treated tissue to prepare the treatment site for a follow on treatment by the ablation device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cleaning comprises abrading a tissue surface at the treatment site.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the moving comprises rotating the instrument.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the moving comprises moving the instrument in a longitudinal direction.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after the cleaning, determining whether an additional treatment is needed at the treatment site.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising, after the determining, ablating the tissue at the treatment site.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising contacting the treatment site with the cleaning device to produce hemostasis of bleeding requiring treatment.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the cleaning device comprises a member selected from thrombin, fibrin, collagen, and combinations of the same.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the positioning comprises advancing the instrument through the mouth and into the esophagus.