Abstract:
This is a method and an apparatus for the introduction of therapeutic compounds into tissue, particularly cardiac tissue. The apparatus includes a catheter having an elongated flexible body and a tissue infusion apparatus including a hollow infusion needle configured to secure the needle into the tissue when the needle is at least partially inserted into the tissue to help prevent inadvertent removal of the needle from the tissue. This permits the selected therapeutic compound to be delivered to a specific site. The catheter may also include a visualization assembly including a transducer at the distal end of the body.
Abstract:
An apparatus includes a first expandable member that is expandable by an expansion medium. The first expandable member includes an exterior and a plurality of apertures. The expansion medium is released from the first expandable member when a sufficient pressure is applied to the expansion medium housed in an interior of the first expandable member. A second expandable member is positioned at least partially adjacent to the first expandable member. The second expandable member is configured to receive at least a portion of the expansion medium from the interior of the first expandable member. An electromagnetic energy delivery device is coupled to one of the first or second expandable members and is configured to be coupled to a power source. The first and second expandable members are sized to be expanded sufficiently to open a sphincter.
Abstract:
A cell necrosis apparatus comprises an elongated delivery device including a lumen and an energy delivery device. The energy delivery device includes at least a first and a second RF electrode each with a tissue piercing distal portion. The first and second RF electrodes are positionable in the elongated delivery device in a compacted state and deployable from the elongated delivery device with curvature in a deployed state. The first and second RF electrodes exhibit a changing direction of travel when advanced from the elongated delivery device to a selected tissue site. At least one infusion port is coupled to one of the elongated delivery device, the energy delivery device, the first RF electrode or the second RF electrode.
Abstract:
An apparatus 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 apparatus includes a catheter having a distal portion with a dimension configured for positioning the catheter distal portion through a nostril of a patient into a nasal meatus at a surface of a nasal concha, an expandable member positioned adjacent the catheter distal portion, an energy delivery device for delivering ablative energy positioned adjacent the catheter distal portion, and a lumen coupled to the catheter for delivering a medium into the expandable member to expand the expandable member.
Abstract:
Apparatus for remodeling in the urinary tract of a human female comprising a remodeling device having a shaft with a profile and with proximal and distal extremities. A handle is secured to the proximal extremity of the shaft. A member is mounted on the distal extremity of the shaft. A plurality of needle electrodes are carried by the distal extremity of the shaft and are disposed circumferentially of the shaft. A pusher is carried by the handle for moving the needle electrodes from a retracted position in which they are within the profile of the shaft and an extended position in which they extend sidewise beyond the profile of the shaft. A pump is connected to the handle for supplying a cooling liquid to the distal extremity of the shaft so that it exits from the shaft in the vicinity of the needle electrodes. An RF generator is coupled to the handle and to the needle electrodes for supplying radio frequency energy to the needle electrodes.
Abstract:
A sphincter treatment apparatus includes an elongated member having at least one lumen including an inflation lumen and a basket assembly with first and second arms. The basket assembly is coupled to the elongated member and has deployed and non-deployed configurations. An inflatable member is coupled to the elongated member and positioned in an interior of the basket assembly. The inflatable member has deployed and non-deployed states and is coupled to the inflation lumen. In the deployed state, the inflatable member expands the basket assembly to its deployed configuration. A first energy delivery device is positionable in the first arm and advanceable from the first arm to a selected treatment site. A second energy delivery device is positionable in the second arm and advanceable from the second arm to a selected treatment site.
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 for reducing a volume of a tongue includes providing an ablation apparatus with an energy delivery device configured to be coupled to an energy source. The energy delivery device is positioned in an interior of the tongue. A sufficient amount of energy is delivered from the energy delivery device in the interior of the tongue to ablate a section of the tongue without damaging the main branches of the hypoglossal nerve. The energy delivery device is thereafter removed from the interior of the tongue.
Abstract:
Apparatus for being held by the human hand for treating the tympanic membrane in an ear by the use of electromagnetic energy. An elongate probe has proximal and distal extremities. The proximal extremity is sized to be grasped by a human hand and the elongate probe has a length so that the distal extremity can be held in close proximity to the tympanic membrane while the proximal extremity is being held by the human hand. An energy delivery member is carried by the distal extremity. Conductors carried by the elongate probe conduct electromagnetic energy to the energy delivery member. A dispersive member is carried by the energy delivery member for dispersing the electromagnetic energy from the energy delivery member and applies energy to the tympanic membrane to heat the tympanic membrane in order to cause shrinkage of the tympanic membrane.
Abstract:
A method of treating a sphincter provides a treatment apparatus that includes an expandable device coupled to an introducer distal portion and an energy delivery device. The expandable device includes a first arm and a second arm each with proximal and distal section. The expandable member has a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration when the first and second arm distend away from each other. The expandable device is at least partially introduced in the sphincter. At least a portion of the energy delivery device is advanced from the expandable device into an interior of the sphincter. Sufficient energy is delivered from the energy delivery device to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter. The expandable device is then removed from the sphincter.