Submucosal esophageal bulking device
AssigneeEndonetics, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Johnson, Ross Tsukashima
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a prosthetic bulking device for implantation below the mucosa to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. The bulking device comprises a flexible body which may have one or more attachment surfaces to allow tissue ingrowth from the adjacent tissue. The bulking device cooperates with residual lower esophageal sphincter (LES) function to increase LES closing pressure.
Claims24
A method of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease comprising providing an esophageal bulking device having a predetermined form and inserting the gastroesophageal bulking device below the mucosa in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter.
A method of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising the steps of:
- identifying a patient having gastroesophageal reflux disease;
- assessing the esophageal sphincter closing pressure;
- selecting a submucosal esophageal bulking device which corresponds to the esophageal sphincter closing pressure;
- and
- submucosally inserting the gastroesophageal bulking device in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter.
An esophageal bulking device for implantation below the mucosa in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter, comprising a flexible body.
A method of increasing the closing pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter, comprising the steps of:
- trans-esophageally introducing an endoscope to a treatment site in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter;
- providing an access pathway through the mucosa;
- and
- introducing a bulking device into the wall of the esophagus below the mucosa, so that the bulking device cooperates with the lower esophageal sphincter to increase the closing pressure of the sphincter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.