Method for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease and apparatus for use therewith
AssigneeSciMed Life Systems, Inc.
InventorsDavid E. Silverman, Alan Stein
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease in a body of a mammal is provided. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed from the at least one nonaqueous solution in the wall to augment the wall. An apparatus for use in the procedure is provided.
Claims53
A method for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease in a body of a mammal having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and a wall forming the esophagus and the stomach comprising the steps of introducing at least one nonaqueous solution into the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter and forming from the at least one nonaqueous solution a nonbiodegradable solid in the wall to augment the wall.
A method for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease in a human body having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and a wall forming the esophagus and the stomach comprising the steps of introducing a solution of a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent into the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter and precipitating the biocompatible polymer from the solution so that the biocompatible polymer solidifies in the wall so as to augment the wall and the biocompatible solvent disperses in the body.
A method for augmenting a wall forming a cavity in a human body comprising the steps of introducing a solution of a biocompatible polymer and a biocompatible solvent into the wall, precipitating the biocompatible polymer from said solution so that the biocompatible polymer solidifies in the wall and the biocompatible solvent disperses in the body and supplying an aqueous solution to the wall in the vicinity of the solution of the biocompatible polymer and the biocompatible solvent to facilitate implantation of the biocompatible polymer.
A method for treating tissue in a body of a mammal comprising the steps of introducing a solution into the tissue to condition the tissue for treatment and performing a treatment on the tissue.
An apparatus for augmenting a wall forming a cavity in a body having a natural body opening for accessing the cavity comprising a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal extremities, the flexible elongate member having a passageway extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity, a handle coupled to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member for introducing the distal extremity of the flexible elongate member into the natural body opening, the flexible elongate member having a length so that when the distal extremity is in the vicinity of the wall the proximal extremity is outside of the body, a needle disposed in the passageway and accessible from the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member for movement from a retracted position disposed in the passageway to an extended position disposed out of the passageway for penetrating the wall, the needle having a distal end portion provided with at least one opening and a passage extending through the needle to the opening and a supply assembly including at least one reservoir of at least one nonaqueous solution capable of forming a nonbiodegradable solid in the body coupled to the proximal extremity of the flexible elongate member for introducing the nonaqueous solution through the passage and the at least one opening in the needle into the wall whereby the nonbiodegradable solid forms from the nonaqueous solution in the wall to augment the wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.