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AssigneeFiber-Tech Medical, Inc. (Assignee of Jennifer B. Cartledge)
InventorsMark H. Johnston, Jennifer B. Cartledge
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus to treat Barrett's tissue, a pre-cancerous condition, by removing the epithelium above the lower esophageal sphincter through cryo-ablation. An endoscope with fiber optics is used to view the operation, and a catheter for supplying liquid nitrogen is passed through the lumen of the endoscope. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed directly onto the Barrett's tissue through the catheter while the physician views the operation through the fiberoptics of the endoscope and controls the spray via a valve. Freezing is indicated by whiteness and shows that the epithelium has been cryoablated. The apparatus can also be used to treat various other gastrointestinal tract lesions. A most important and significant feature of this invention is the fact that the liquid nitrogen spray is applied in the esophagus at low pressure.
A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified cryogenic gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing the cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of the cryogenic gas without perforating the esophagus,
A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified cryogenic gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing the cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of the cryogenic gas without perforating the esophagus, wherein the apparatus is provided with a means for purging moist air or gas from the esophagus.
A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing a cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of cryogen without perforating the esophagus and wherein the catheter is provided at its proximal end with a bleeder vent to reduce the pressure of gas supplied at the distal end of the catheter.
An apparatus for cryogenic spray ablation of intralumenal mucosa, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.