Large area thermal ablation
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Crowley, Mark A. Hamm
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A large area thermal ablation apparatus for use with an endoscope includes a housing and at least one electrode. The housing is removably attachable to a distal terminating end of the endoscope. The housing includes an outer surface and a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope. The electrode is supported by the outer surface of the housing. The electrode is capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.
Claims60
An apparatus for use with an endoscope, comprising:
- a housing removably attachable to a distal terminating end of the endoscope, the housing comprising an outer surface and a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope;
- and
- at least one electrode supported by at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing and capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.
An apparatus for use with an endoscope, comprising:
- a sheath comprising a first channel for receiving the endoscope;
- a housing attached to a distal end of the sheath, the housing comprising an outer surface and a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of a distal terminating end of the endoscope;
- and
- at least one electrode supported by at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing and capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.
A medical apparatus, comprising:
- an endoscope terminating at a distal end;
- a housing removably attachable to the distal terminating end of the endoscope, the housing comprising an outer surface and a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope;
- and
- at least one electrode supported by at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing and capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.
A medical apparatus, comprising:
- an endoscope terminating at a distal end;
- a sheath comprising a channel for receiving the endoscope and a housing attached to a distal terminating end of the sheath, the housing comprising an outer surface and a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope;
- and
- at least one electrode supported by at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing and capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.
A method of treating tissue in a body, comprising:
- a) attaching a housing to a distal terminating end of an endoscope, the housing removably attachable to the distal terminating end of the endoscope, the housing comprising an outer surface supporting at least one electrode on at least a portion of the outer surface and a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope;
- b) inserting the endoscope and the housing inside the body near a tissue region to be treated;
- and
- c) applying energy to at least one electrode to treat the tissue region.
A method of treating tissue in a body, comprising:
- a) providing a sheath comprising a channel for receiving an endoscope and a housing attached to a distal end of the sheath, the housing comprising an outer surface supporting at least one electrode on at least a portion of the outer surface and a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of a distal terminating end of the endoscope;
- b) inserting an endoscope inside the channel of the sheath such that the housing is positioned near the distal terminating end of the endoscope;
- c) inserting the sheath and the endoscope inside the body near a tissue region to be treated;
- and
- d) applying energy to at least one electrode to treat the tissue region.
A method of manufacturing an ablation apparatus comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a housing;
- b) providing a slurry comprising a conductive material and a solution;
- c) applying the slurry on at least a portion of a surface of the housing;
- and
- d) removing the solution applied on the surface of the housing to form an electrode comprising the conductive material on the surface of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.