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AssigneeSURx, Inc.
InventorsFrank Ingle, Garry L. Carter, Robert J. Laird, John P. Claude, Paul Do, Brian J. Mosel
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The invention provides improved devices, methods, and systems for shrinking of collagenated tissues, particularly for treating urinary incontinence in a noninvasive manner by directing energy to a patient's own support tissues. This energy heats fascia and other collagenated support tissues, causing them to contract. The energy can be applied intermittently, often between a pair of large plate electrodes having cooled flat electrode surfaces, the electrodes optionally being supported by a clamp structure. Such cooled plate electrodes are capable of directing electrical energy through an intermediate tissue and into fascia while the cooled electrode surface prevents injury to the intermediate tissue, particularly where the electrode surfaces are cooled before, during, and after an intermittent heating cycle. Ideally, the plate electrode comprises an electrode array including discrete electrode surface segments so that the current flux can be varied to selectively target the fascia. Alternatively, chilled “liquid electrodes” may direct current through a selected portion of the bladder (or other body cavity) while also cooling the bladder wall, an insulating gas can prevent heating of an alternative bladder portion and the adjacent tissues, and/or ultrasound transducers direct energy through an intermediate tissue and into fascia with little or no injury to the intermediate tissue. Cooled electrodes may be used to chill an intermediate engaged tissue so as to cause the maximum temperature difference between the target tissue and the intermediate tissue prior to initiating RF heating. This allows the dimensions of tissue reaching the treatment temperature to be controlled and/or minimized, the dimensions of protected intermediate tissue to be maximized, and the like.
A method for therapeutically heating a target urinary continence support tissue within a patient body, the method comprising:
A method for heating a target continence support tissue within a patient body, the target continence support tissue separated from a tissue surface by an intermediate tissue, the method comprising:
A method for selectively heating a predetermined target continence support tissue, the target continence support tissue adjacent another tissue, the method comprising:
A method for therapeutically heating a target zone of a urinary continence support tissue within a patient body, the method comprising:
A method for heating a target tissue within a patient body, the target continence support tissue separated from a tissue surface by an intermediate tissue, the method comprising:
A method for selectively heating a predetermined target continence support tissue, the target continence support tissue adjacent another tissue, the method comprising:
A method for therapeutically heating a target zone of a continence support tissue within a patient body that is accessible through one of a vagina, urethra, and sphincter, wherein the target zone is at a desired treatment depth relative to a surface of the tissue, the method comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.