Precision ablating method

• US 9,179,970 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2011
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Utley, David S., Garabedian, Robert, Wallace, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROANE, AARON F
• Application Number:
  US13/181,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20110270249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,582 Days
• Field of Search: 128/898, 606 41- 52
• 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 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00296 mounted on an endoscope
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00482 Digestive system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/046 in liquid form
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1495 Electrodes being detachable from a support structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/50 Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms

Abstract

Methods of ablating tissue in an alimentary tract are provided. The methods include advancing an ablation structure into an alimentary tract while supporting the ablation structure with an endoscope. The methods further include a step of moving at least part of the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope and toward a tissue surface, before activating the ablation structure to ablate a tissue surface.

Claims

1. A method of ablating tissue in an alimentary tract comprising:

advancing an ablation structure through a channel of an endoscope and into the alimentary tract, wherein the ablation structure is disposed on an arcuate frame and includes an arcuate bipolar electrode array configured to selectively ablate a portion of the alimentary tract less than a full circumferential section of the alimentary tract, and wherein the arcuate frame is configured to expand from a dimensionally compacted configuration upon exiting the endoscope channel;

supporting the ablation structure with the endoscope within the alimentary tract;

moving at least part of the ablation structure toward a tissue surface; and

activating the ablation structure to ablate the tissue surface less than the full circumferential section of the alimentary tract.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the advancing comprises moving the ablation structure out of a distal end of the endoscope.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising advancing a deflection member through a channel of the endoscope, the moving comprising deflecting the ablation structure with respect to the endoscope with the deflection member.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving comprises expanding a deflection member.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving comprises moving a deflection member.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising withdrawing the ablation structure back into the endoscope channel utilizing an internal coupling mechanism.