Abstract:
An ablation apparatus has an introducer including an introducer lumen, a proximal portion and a distal portion. Two or more electrodes are at least partially positionable in the introducer lumen. Each electrode is configured to be advanced from the introducer distal portion in a deployed state into a selected tissue site to define a volumetric ablation volume. A fluid delivery member is positioned on at least a portion of an exterior of one of the electrodes. The fluid delivery member is configured to be coupled to a fluid medium source. A cable is coupled to the electrodes.
Abstract:
A method of treating a sphincter provides a catheter means and an energy delivery device means coupled to the catheter means. The energy delivery device means has a tissue piercing distal end. The catheter means is introduced into an esophagus. A sphincter exterior surface is pierced with the energy delivery device means tissue piercing distal. The energy delivery device means tissue piercing distal end is advanced a sufficient distance in an interior of the sphincter to a tissue site. Energy is controllably delivered to the tissue site. Controlled cell necrosis is created in the sphincter to reduce a frequency of sphincter relaxation.
Abstract:
A method of treating a sphincter provides a sphincter electropotential mapping device with a mapping electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is introduced into at least a portion of the sphincter. Aberrant myoelectric activity of the sphincter is detected. Energy is delivered from the sphincter electropotential mapping device to treat the aberrant myoelectric activity of the sphincter.
Abstract:
An apparatus to treat a uterus includes a deployable member configured to be positioned in a uterine cavity in at least a partially deployed state to define a microwave chamber in an interior of the deployable member, and removed from the uterine cavity in a non-deployed state. The deployable member is at least partially microwave energy absorbable and formed of a fluid permeable material to house and controllably release a fluidic medium from the microwave chamber when the deployable member is positioned in the uterine cavity in the at least partially deployed state. A microwave emitter is positioned in the microwave chamber, the microwave emitter is configured to be coupled to a microwave energy source and deliver microwave energy to the fluidic medium, wherein the fluidic medium transfers thermal energy from the microwave emitter to a uterine structure.
Abstract:
An RF treatment apparatus includes a catheter with a catheter lumen. A removable needle electrode is positioned in the catheter lumen in a fixed relationship to the catheter. The needle electrode includes a needle lumen and a needle electrode distal end. A removable introducer is slidably positioned in the needle lumen. The introducer includes an introducer distal end. A first sensor is positioned on a surface of the needle electrode or the insulator. An RF power source is coupled to the needle electrode and a return electrode. An insulator sleeve is slidably positioned around the electrode and includes a second sensor. Resources are associated with the electrodes, sensors as well as the RF power source for maintaining a selected power at the electrode independent of changes in current or voltage.
Abstract:
A medical probe device for contacting tissue within the body a catheter tube having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a housing having a port. An element is located within the housing that is movable between a first position confined within the housing and a second position extending through the port outside the housing. The element has a distal tip adapted to penetrate a tissue region during movement between the first and second position. The element comprises an electrode for emitting electromagnetic radio frequency energy into the tissue region, or cannula with an interior lumen for conveying fluid to and from the tissue region, or a sensor for sensing temperature conditions in the tissue region.
Abstract:
A method is provided for forming a stent within a body lumen. According to the method, a distal catheter body is advanced within a body lumen to a section of a body lumen at which a stent is to be formed. One or more expandable members attached to the distal catheter body are expanded such that sections of the body lumen proximal and distal to the stent formation section of the body lumen are occluded, the distal catheter body in combination with the body lumen defining a mold space. A fluent pre-stent composition is delivered to the mold space from outside the body lumen which is continuously in fluent state during pre-stent composition delivery from outside the body lumen to the mold space. The fluent pre-stent composition is then transformed within the mold space to a non-fluent stent composition to form a stent within the mold space.
Abstract:
An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece means and an electrode means at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece means. The electrode means includes an electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface and is advance able from the interior of the handpiece means into the interior of the tongue. An electrode means advancement member is coupled to the electrode means and configured to advance the electrode means an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the electrode means electromagnetic energy delivery surface to deliver electromagnetic energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a hypoglossal nerve. A cable means is coupled to the electrode means.
Abstract:
A method is provided for ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha. By ablating at least a portion of a nasal concha, the size of the nasal concha is reduced. The three nasal concha in the body (inferior, middle and superior nasal concha) form at least a portion of the three nasal meatus (inferior, middle and superior nasal meatus) in the body. By reducing the size of a nasal concha, obstruction of a nasal meatus is reduced or eliminated. As a result, air flow through the nasal meatus is improved. In one embodiment, the method includes taking a catheter having a distal portion with an expandable member and an energy delivery device coupled to an energy source for delivering ablative energy and positioning the catheter distal portion through a nostril of a patient into a nasal meatus adjacent a surface of a nasal concha; expanding the expandable member within the nasal meatus so that the expandable member is brought into contact with the surface of the nasal concha; and delivering sufficient ablative energy from the energy delivery device to the nasal concha to ablate at least a portion of the nasal concha.
Abstract:
An ablation apparatus includes a cannula with a distal end, a proximal end and a lumen. An anvil is coupled to the cannula and extends beyond the cannula distal end. The anvil has a distal end that extends in a lateral direction relative to an anvil longitudinal axis. The distal end is adapted to receive and position an uvula or other soft tissue. One or more energy delivery devices are slideably positioned in the cannula. The energy delivery devices are advanced and retracted in and out the cannula distal end. An advancement and retraction apparatus advances and retracts the energy delivery devices in and out of the cannula distal end and into the soft tissue retained at the anvil distal end. The soft tissue ablation apparatus can further include a handle with a lumen, a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula is at least partially positioned in the handle lumen and extends beyond the handle distal end. The ablation apparatus is useful for ablation of soft palate tissue to eliminate snoring.