Treatment for gastroesophageal disease
AssigneePromethean Surgical Devices, LLC
InventorMichael T. Milbocker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system including an implantable polymer for increasing the dimensions of layers of tissue. In one embodiment, the implantable polymer is delivered transorally using a scope and injection needle. The system allows for visualization and injection of polymer into the lower esophageal sphincter. Methods of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease includes insertion of the distal portion of the injection needle into the esophageal tissue and injection of a polymer liquid to enlarge tissue dimensions. The polymer can be injected at several sites to distribute localized pressures and attain better distribution of the tissue bulking effect.
Claims37
A method of treating a mammalian sphincter in an esophagus of a patient with an injectable liquid polymer implant, to reduce sphincter reflux, said method comprising:
- providing a catheter and an injector coupled to said catheter, said catheter having a tissue piercing needle distal end;
- introducing said catheter into said esophagus of the patient;
- piercing an exterior surface of said sphincter of said esophagus of the patient with said tissue piercing needle distal end on said catheter;
- advancing said tissue piercing needle distal end a distance in an interior of said sphincter to a tissue site;
- and
- controllably delivering said injectable polymer into said tissue site and create a controllable, solid in situ volume-constant implant in said sphincter to bond to and bulk said sphincter and thereby reduce the frequency and quantity of sphincter reflux.
A method of treating a mammalian sphincter in the esophagus of a patient by implantation of a bolus of a biocompatable polymer implant therein, comprising:
- coupling a catheter and a polymer needle delivery device together, said polymer delivery device including a tissue injection needle sized to be positioned within the tissue of the sphincter;
- introducing said catheter into an esophagus of the patient;
- positioning said polymer delivery needle device in a tissue target site of said sphincter;
- and
- controllably delivering said polymer to said sphincter wherein said polymer bonds to said tissue and to create a controlled-volume tissue bulking of said sphincter to reduce a frequency of sphincter relaxation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.