Method of treating abnormal tissue in the human esophagus
AssigneeBarrx Medical, Inc.
InventorsRobert A. Ganz, Brian D. Zelickson, Roger A. Stern
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ablation catheter system and method of use is provided to endoscopically access portions of the human esophagus experiencing undesired growth of columnar epithelium. The ablation catheter system and method includes controlled depth of ablation features and use of either radio frequency spectrum, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, warm fluid or microwave radiation, which may also be accompanied by improved sensitizer agents.
Claims38
A system for ablating abnormal tissue from a human esophagus, comprising:
- a. energy distribution means capable of distributing radio frequency energy, microwave energy, ultraviolet light energy or thermal energy, transmitted from a heated fluid medium;
- adapted for use with an expandable member shaped for insertion into and positioning in a human esophagus;
- b. power means for powering the energy distribution means at levels appropriate to ablate human tissue within a human esophagus;
- and
- c. control means designed for accurate control and positioning of the member.
A method of accessing and ablating abnormal tissue in a human esophagus, comprising the steps of:
- a. identifying the existence of abnormal tissue using visualization techniques;
- b. inserting an expandable member endoscopically into a human esophagus wherein the expandable member is connectable to a power source for generating radio frequency energy, microwave energy, ultraviolet light energy, or thermal energy transmitted from a heated fluid medium;
- c. positioning the expandable member proximate a portion of the human esophagus having tissue to be ablated;
- d. expanding and positioning the expandable member so as to provide properly focused energy to a site of abnormal tissue for ablation of the tissue;
- and
- e. providing ablation energy to a portion of the expandable member to effect tissue ablation.
A system for ablating abnormal tissue from a human esophagus, comprising:
- a. an expandable member shaped for insertion into and positioning in a human esophagus connected to an energy distributing device capable of distributing radio frequency energy, microwave energy, ultraviolet light energy or thermal energy transmitted from a heated fluid medium;
- b. a power source for powering the energy distributing device at levels appropriate to ablate human tissue within a human esophagus;
- and
- c. control apparatus designed for accurate control and positioning of 25 the expandable member within the esophagus.
A method of accessing and ablating abnormal tissue that is Barrett's epithelium, variants of Barrett's epithelium, dysplastic tissue, or malignant tissue in a human esophagus, comprising the steps of:
- a. identifying the existence of the abnormal tissue using visualization techniques;
- b. inserting an expandable member endoscopically into a human esophagus wherein the expandable member is connectable to a power source for generating radio frequency energy, microwave energy, ultraviolet light energy, or thermal energy transmitted from a heated fluid medium;
- c. positioning the expandable member proximate a portion of the human esophagus having tissue to be ablated;
- d. expanding and positioning the expandable member so as to provide properly focused energy to a site of abnormal tissue for ablation of the tissue and so that its outer surface is firmly pressed into the abnormal tissue to be ablated so that blood flow to the tissue is reduced or prevented;
- and
- e. providing energy to a portion of the expandable member to effect tissue ablation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.