Noninvasive devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of tissues

A probe for applying energy to fascia from within a vagina of a patient body, the fascia separated from the vagina by vaginal wall, the probe comprising:

• a probe body having a proximal end and a distal end, the probe having a length and a cross-section selected to permit introduction into the vagina;
• an energy transmitting element mounted to the probe body, the transmitting element capable of transmitting sufficient heating energy through the vaginal wall to heat and contract the fascia;
• and
• a cooling system disposed adjacent the transmitting element, the cooling system capable of maintaining the vaginal mucosa adjacent the probe at or below a maximum safe temperature when the fascia is heated by the transmitting element.

A method for directing energy into a target tissue of a patient body through an intermediate tissue, the method comprising:

• electrically coupling a first electrode to the patient body;
• electrically coupling a second electrode to the intermediate tissue, the second electrode mounted on a probe;
• cooling the intermediate tissue with the probe;
• and
• applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes, wherein an electrode surface of the second electrode is sufficiently large and flat to provide a current flux that extends through the cooled intermediate tissue and into the target tissue so that the current flux heats the target tissue.

A method for therapeutically heating a target zone of a tissue within a patient body, the method comprising:

• engaging a tissue adjacent to the target zone with a probe;
• pre-cooling the adjacent tissue with the probe;
• and
• heating the target zone by directing energy from the probe, through the pre-cooled adjacent tissue, and into the target zone.

A kit for shrinking a target collagenated tissue within a patient body through an intermediate tissue, the kit comprising:

• a probe comprising:
• an energy transmitting element adapted to direct an energy flux through the intermediate tissue and into the target tissue;
• and
• a cooling system adjacent to the transmitting element to cool the intermediate tissue;
• and
• instructions for operating the probe, the instructions comprising the steps of:
• directing energy from the energy transmitting element of the probe, through the intermediate tissue, and into the target tissue so as to heat and shrink the target tissue;
• and
• cooling the intermediate tissue with the cooling system of the probe to avoid injuring the intermediate tissue.

A system for therapeutically heating a target zone within a tissue, the system comprising:

• a first electrode having a first electrode surface which is engageable against the tissue;
• a second electrode having a second electrode surface which can be aligned substantially parallel to the first electrode surface with the tissue therebetween so that an electrical current flux between the electrodes can substantially evenly heat the target zone;
• and
• a cooling system coupled to at least one of the electrodes for cooling the electrode surface.

A method for therapeutically heating a target zone of a patient body, the target zone disposed within a tissue between first and second tissue surfaces, the method comprising:

• engaging a first electrode surface against the first tissue surface;
• aligning a second electrode surface substantially parallel with the first electrode surface and against the second tissue surface;
• applying an electrical potential between the first and second electrodes, the electrical potential producing an electrical current flux between the electrodes which heats the target zone;
• and
• cooling at least one of the first and second tissue surfaces with the engaged electrode.

A probe for heating a target tissue of a patient body through an intermediate tissue, the probe comprising:

• a probe body supporting a plurality of electrode surface segments, the electrode surface segments simultaneously engageable against the intermediate tissue;
• a cooling system coupled to the probe for cooling the electrode surface segments;
• and
• a control system coupled to the electrode surface segments, the control system adapted to selectively energize the electrode surface segments so as to heat the target tissue to a treatment temperature while the cooling system maintains the intermediate tissue disposed between the electrode array and the target zone below a maximum safe tissue temperature.

A method for therapeutically heating a target zone of a tissue within a patient body, the method comprising:

• engaging a probe against the tissue, the probe having a plurality of electrode surface segments;
• cooling the tissue adjacent the probe with the electrode surface segments;
• and
• directing an electrical current flux from the electrode surface segments, through the cooled tissue, and into the target zone by selectively energizing the electrode surface segments so that the current flux substantially evenly heats the target zone.

A method for heating a target tissue within a patient body, the tissue separated from a body cavity by an intermediate tissue, the method comprising:

• providing a conductive fluid within the cavity;
• passing an electrical current from or through the conductive fluid, through the intermediate tissue, and into the target tissue to effect heating of the target tissue;
• and
• cooling the intermediate tissue.

A method for shrinking a target tissue within a patient body, the target tissue separated from a body cavity by an intermediate tissue, the method comprising:

• introducing a conductive fluid into the cavity;
• introducing an insulating fluid into the cavity;
• positioning the fluids within the cavity by orienting the patient so that the conductive fluid is disposed adjacent the target tissue and the insulating fluid is disposed away from the target tissue, the conductive and insulating fluids having different densities;
• heating the target tissue by passing an electrical current from the conductive fluid, through the intermediate tissue, and into the target tissue;
• and
• cooling the intermediate tissue.

A method for treating urinary incontinence, the method comprising:

• introducing a fluid into the bladder;
• transmitting electrical current from or through the fluid, through a bladder wall, and into a pelvic support tissue so that the current heats and shrinks the pelvic support tissue and inhibits urinary incontinence;
• and
• cooling the bladder wall with the conductive fluid.

A system for shrinking a pelvic support tissue of a patient body, the pelvic support tissue separated from a urinary bladder by a bladder wall, the system comprising:

• a first probe having a proximal end, a distal end adapted for transurethral insertion into the bladder, a first electrode near the distal end, a fluid inflow port near the distal end, and a sealing member proximal of the inflow port for sealing a conductive fluid within the bladder such that the first electrode is electrically coupled to the bladder wall by the conductive fluid;
• a second electrode adapted for transmitting current to a tissue surface of the patient body;
• and
• a power source coupled to the first and second electrodes to heat and shrink the pelvic support tissue.

A system for shrinking a pelvic support tissue of a patient body, the pelvic support tissue separated from a urinary bladder by a bladder wall, the system comprising:

• a first probe having a proximal end, a distal end adapted for transurethral insertion into the bladder, and a first electrode near the distal end;
• a second probe having a proximal end, a distal end adapted for insertion into the vagina, and a second electrode near the distal end;
• and
• a power source coupled to the first and second electrodes to heat and shrink the pelvic support tissue.

A system for selectively heating a predetermined target tissue, the target tissue adjacent another tissue, the system comprising:

• a probe having a surface oriented for engaging a tissue surface;
• a member selected from the group consisting of a pre-cooler and a pre-heater coupled to the probe surface so as to produce a temperature differential between the target tissue and the adjacent tissue;
• and
• at least one tissue heating electrode coupleable to the target tissue to conduct an electrical current into the tissues, the at least one heating electrode defining a nominal current distribution when the current is conducted into the tissues and the tissues are at a uniform body temperature, the at least one heating electrode producing a tailored current distribution when the current is conducted into the tissues and the tissues exhibit the temperature differential, the tailored current distribution resulting in less collateral damage to the adjacent tissues than the nominal current distribution when the target tissue is heated by the current to a treatment temperature.

A probe for selectively heating a target tissue, the target tissue separated form a tissue surface by an intermediate tissue, the probe comprising:

• a surface oriented for engaging the tissue surface;
• a pair of bi-polar electrodes disposed along the probe surface;
• and
• a cooling system thermally coupled to the electrodes and to the probe surface adjacent the electrodes so as to cool the intermediate tissue.