Abstract:
A medical probe device of this invention comprising a catheter having a control end and a probe end. The probe end includes a stylet guide housing having at least one stylet port and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. A stylet is positioned in at least one of said stylet guide means, the stylet comprising a non-conductive sleeve having a RF electrode lumen and an optional a fluid supply lumen and a temperature sensor lumen therein. At least one portion of an opposed surface of the electrode lumen and the electrode can be spaced apart to define a liquid supply passageway for delivery of medicament liquid. The RF electrode enclosed within the non-conductive sleeve has a distal length optionally having at least one current focusing groove means thereon and a distal tip shaped to focus current crowding on its terminal end, whereby Rf current passing therefrom into surrounding tissue forms a lesion extending outward from the groove and tip. The focusing groove means can be a plurality of annular focusing grooves or a spiral focusing groove thereon.
Abstract:
This invention provides a method and system for the curative treatment of female uro-genital disorders. One aspect of the invention is that it allows the gynecologist to coagulate the entire endometrium and upper layers of the myometrium in one short procedure that can be performed in a physician's office or other outpatient setting, using local or regional anesthesia. A second aspect of the invention is that it can be used to tighten the urethral sphincter and bladder outlet.
Abstract:
An apparatus that reduces a volume of a selected site in an interior of the tongue includes a handpiece and an energy delivery device at least partially positioned in the interior of the handpiece. The energy delivery device includes an energy delivery surface and is advanceable from the interior of the handpiece into the interior of the tongue. An energy delivery device advancement member is coupled to the energy delivery device and configured to advance the energy delivery device an advancement distance in the interior of the tongue. The advancement distance is sufficient for the energy delivery surface to deliver energy to the selected tissue site and reduce a volume of the selected site without damaging a main branch of the hypoglossal nerve. A cable is coupled to the energy delivery device.
Abstract:
A medical probe for the treatment by radio frequency ablation of tissue in a human comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities. The elongate probe member has a longitudinal axis and at least one passage extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity. A guide cannula is mounted in the at least one passage of the elongate probe member and has proximal and distal extremities with the distal extremity of the guide cannula being in the vicinity of the distal extremity of the elongate probe member. The guide cannula has an opening in the distal extremity and a lumen extending from the proximal extremity to the opening in the distal extremity. A stylet is slidably disposed in the lumen of the guide cannula and includes a radio frequency electrode having a distal portion and a layer of insulating material disposed around the radio frequency so that at least the distal portion is exposed. A handle is coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member. The distal extremity of he guide cannula has a bendable distal portion. The handle includes a first actuator for causing the distal portion of the guide cannula to bend at an angle to the longitudinal axis so that the opening faces the tissue and a second actuator secured to the stylet for advancing the radio frequency electrode and the layer of insulating material from the opening in the guide cannula into the tissue.
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 medical probe device comprising a catheter having a stylet guide housing with at least one stylet port in a side thereof and stylet guide means for directing a flexible stylet outward through at least one stylet port and through intervening tissue to targeted tissues. The stylet guide housing has an optical viewing means positioned for viewing the stylet and adjacent structure which includes a fiber optic channel means for receiving a fiber optic viewing device. The fiber optic channel means can include a guide port means for directing longitudinal movement of a fiber optic device with respect to the stylet guide means in a viewing zone and a flushing liquid channel in the stylet guide housing having an exit port positioned to direct flushing liquid issuing therefrom across the end of a fiber optic device when positioned in the viewing zone. The optical viewing means can comprise a viewing window positioned in the stylet guide housing for viewing the stylet when it is directed outward from its respective stylet port. The optical viewing means can include a fiber optic channel in the stylet guide housing for receiving the a fiber optic viewing device and aligning the viewing end thereof with the viewing window. Windowed devices can include a flushing liquid channel in the stylet guide housing having an exit port positioned to direct flushing liquid issuing therefrom across a surface of the viewing window.
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:
A medical probe device comprises a catheter having a stylet guide housing with one or more stylet ports in a side wall thereof and a stylet guide for directing a flexible stylet outward through the stylet port and through intervening tissue at a preselected, adjustable angle to a target tissue. The total catheter assembly includes a stylet guide lumen communicating with the stylet port and a stylet positioned in said stylet guide lumen for longitudinal movement from the port through intervening tissue to a target tissue. The stylet can be an electrical conductor enclosed within a non-conductive layer, the electrical conductor being a radiofrequency electrode. Preferably, the non-conductive layer is a sleeve which is axially moveable on the electrical conductor to expose a selected portion of the electrical conductor surface in the target tissue. The stylet can also be a microwave antenna. The stylet can also be a hollow tube for delivering treatment fluid to the target tissue. It can also include a fiber optic cable for laser treatment. The catheter can include one or more inflatable balloons located adjacent to the stylet port for anchoring the catheter or dilation. Ultrasound transponders and temperature sensors can be attached to the probe end and/or stylet. The stylet guide can define a stylet path from an axial orientation in the catheter through a curved portion to a lateral orientation at the stylet port.