Abstract:
Systems and methods (10) are disclosed for therapeutically heating a target zone of a collagenous support tissue within a patient body. In exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides electronically determining an acceptable or unacceptable contact condition between an energy source and a first tissue layer disposed proximally to the target zone. Upon determining an acceptable contact condition, the target zone is irradiated or otherwise heated for a finite time period with energy. A determination of an unacceptable contact condition causes cessation of irradiating.
Abstract:
Devices and methods for aligning a probe body (12) and a treatment surface (18) adjacent a target tissue. A guide shaft (22) can be positioned in a first body orifice (47). The probe body (12) can be positioned in a second body orifice (48) in a predetermined position relative to the guide (22) so as to position the treatment surface (18) adjacent the target tissue.
Abstract:
The present invention enhances the effectiveness of treatment of support tissue structures. Generally, such tissue structures support organs and hold the organs in their proper position for appropriate functioning. When such tissue structures become weak, hyper-elastic, and/or excessively lengthy, the organs of are no longer supported in their proper position. This often leads to physical manifestations such as incontinence, hernias, and the like. Remedies often involve thermal treatment of the support tissue structures, such as thermally inducted controlled shrinkage, contraction, or stiffening of the support tissue structure. To enhance such thermal treatment and diminish the possibility of undesirable heating and damage to nearby tissue surfaces, vasoconstrictive agents are used.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for supporting the urethra in a patient to treat urinary incontinence. Support of the urethra (16) involves forming upward force with the support to hold the urethra (16) in a more desired position. The present invention utilizes the space of Retzius (30), within which portions of the urethral support (84) are positioned. Ingrowth by surrounding tissues to the urethral support material provide further stability and such ingrowth, combined with the position of the support (84), allow sufficient tension to be applied to support to hold the urethra in place. Placement of such a urethral support is achieved by minimally invasive techniques, such as with the use of laparoscopic instruments. Such techniques allows placement of the urethral support (84) by accessing the space of Retzius through the vaginal wall without penetrating the abdominal wall. Such techniques also avoid perforations of nearby organs, such as bladder, by utilizing specialized penetration devices.
Abstract:
Methods and devices for improving contact between tissue and a probe. In exemplary embodiments, methods of the present invention include a deploying a needle into a target tissue and retracting the needle so that tenting around the needle is reduced. The retracting of the needle can increase the amount of tissue contact between a surface of the tissue and a surface contacting portion of a probe body.
Abstract:
The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for supporting the urethra in a patient to treat urinary incontinence. Support of the urethra involves forming a loop under the urethra with a structure referred to as a urethral support and applying an upward force with the support to hold the urethra in a more desired position. The present invention utilizes the space of Retzius within which portions of the urethral support are positioned. Ingrowth by surrounding tissues to the urethral support material provide further stability and such ingrowth, combined with the position of the support, allow sufficient tension to be applied to support to hold the urethra in place. Placement of such a urethral support is achieved by minimally invasive techniques, such as with the use of laparoscopic instruments. Such techniques allows placement of the urethral support by accessing the space of Retzius through the vaginal wall without penetrating the abdominal wall. Such techniques also avoid perforations of nearby organs, such as the bladder, by utilizing specialized penetration devices.
Abstract:
Improved devices, methods, and systems for the surgical treatment of urinary incontinence generally enhance the support provided by the natural tissues of the pelvic floor without directly applying compressive pressure against the urethra. The invention provides probes (50) for forming plication in the endo-pelvic fascia that are displaced laterally on either side of the midline. These probes (50) can impose a redetermined level of trauma to the plic ated tissues so as to promote the formation of adhesions. Adhesions can maintain the enhanced support provided by the plication after reabsorption of a temporary fastener (30) (such as a reabsorbable suture, staple, or the like). The plicated probe draws the tissue inward to provide a uniform plication within a predetermined size range.
Abstract:
Devices, systems, and methods can treat incontinence by heating between about 100 and about 800 cubic millimeters of endopelvic fascia for sufficient time to effect substantial collagenous tissue shrinkage. A probe body may directly engage the endopelvic fascia, or may be separated from the endopelvic fascia, heating through (for example) the vaginal wall. In either case, tissue-penetrating electrodes may be inserted from the probe body so as to heat the endopelvic fascia.
Abstract:
The present invention enhances the effectiveness of treatment of support tissue structures. Generally, such tissue structures support organs and hold the organs in their proper position for appropriate functioning. When such tissue structures become weak, hyper-elastic, and/or excessively lengthy, the organs of are no longer supported in their proper position. This often leads to physical manifestations such as incontinence, hernias, and the like. Remedies often involve thermal treatment of the support tissue structures, such as thermally inducted controlled shrinkage, contraction, or stiffening of the support tissue structure. To enhance such thermal treatment and diminish the possibility of undesirable heating and damage to nearby tissue surfaces, vasoconstrictive agents are used.
Abstract:
Devices, systems, and methods for treating urinary incontinence generally rely on energy delivered to a patient's own pelvis tissue to selectively contract or shrink a portion of that pelvic support tissue so as to reposition the bladder (b). The energy will be preferably applied to the endo-pelvic fascia (EP) and/or an arcus tendineus fascia pelvis (ATFP). The invention provides a variety of devices (10) and methods for applying gentle resistive heating of these and other tissues to cause them to contract without imposing significant injury on the surrounding tissue structures. Alternatively, heat applying probes (10) are configured to heat tissue structures which comprise or support a patient's urethra. By applying sufficient energy over a predetermined time, the tissue can be raised to a temperature which results in contraction without significant necrosis or other tissue damage. By selectively contracting the support tissues, the bladder neck, sphincter, and other components of the urinary tract responsible for the control of urinary flow can be reconfigured or supported in a manner which reduces urinary leakage.