Submucosal esophageal bulking device
AssigneeEndonetics, Inc.
InventorsGeorge M. Johnson, Ross Tsukashima, Matthew Thomas Yurek
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Abstract
Disclosed is an esophageal bulking device for implantation below the mucosa in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. Preferably, the bulking device comprises an expandable hydrogel implant. Also disclosed are methods of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, by implanting an expandable bulking device below the mucosa in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The bulking device may be subsequently explanted from the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claims43
A method of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease comprising the steps of providing an esophageal bulking device comprising an expandable hydrogel 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 symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease;
- selecting an expandable hydrogel submucosal esophageal bulking device to treat the symptoms;
- 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 an expandable hydrogel rod.
A method of reestablishing lower esophageal sphincter function, 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 an expandable bulking device into the wall of the esophagus below the mucosa, so that the bulking device cooperates with the lower esophageal sphincter to reestablish sphincter function.
A method of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease, comprising the steps of:
- identifying a patient having gastroesophageal reflux disease;
- introducing a tubular body through the mucosa in the vicinity of the patient's lower esophageal sphincter;
- injecting a fluid through the tubular body to create a pocket below the mucosa;
- and
- implanting at least one expandable bulking device in the pocket.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.