Systems and methods for treating dysfunctions in the intestines and rectum
AssigneeCuron Medical, Inc.
InventorsDavid Utley, Scott West, John Gaiser, Rachel Croft
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sphincter tissue region is treated using a support structure sized for advancement into the anal canal. At least one electrode is carried by the structure. A mechanism is coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the support structure and a second position extended from the support structure through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal. A cable is coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region.
Claims16
An assembly for treating tissue in the anal canal comprising
- a barrel sized for advancement into the anal canal, the barrel including a transparent region to enable visualizing surface tissue from within the barrel,
- a hand grip coupled to the barrel for guiding advancement from outside the anal canal, the hand grip including a view port for looking into the barrel and through the transparent region from outside the anal canal,
- an electrode carried by the barrel in the transparent region,
- an actuator on the hand grip coupled to the electrode to move the electrode between a first position retracted in the barrel and a second position extended from the barrel through surface tissue to penetrate a subsurface tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal,
- a cable coupled to the electrode to conduct energy for application by the electrode to form a lesion in the subsurface tissue region, and
- an opaque marker on the transparent region marking location of the electrode and viewable through the view port to visually aid in aligning the electrode at a desired tissue location.
A method for forming a composite lesion in a tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal comprising the steps of
- providing a support structure carrying an array of electrodes that are coupled to a source of energy capable of heating tissue when transmitted by the electrodes, including a mechanism to selectively retract the electrodes within the support structure and to selectively advance the electrodes in a path outside the support structure to penetrate a tissue region and form, when the energy is transmitted, a pattern of lesions,
- inserting the support structure into the anal cavity with the electrodes retracted within the support structure,
- visualing an opaque marker on a transparent region of the support structure marking location of the electrodes through the support structure,
- aligning the electrodes in a desired location with respect to the dentate line, relying at least in part upon the opaque marker,
- advancing the electrodes to penetrate tissue at or near a sphincter, and
- applying energy through the electrodes to create a pattern of lesions in the sphincter.
A method for forming a composite lesion in a tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal comprising the steps of
- providing a support structure carrying an array of electrodes that are coupled to a source of energy capable of heating tissue when transmitted by the electrodes, including a mechanism to selectively retract the electrodes within the support structure and to selectively advance the electrodes in a path outside the support structure to penetrate a tissue region and form, when the energy is transmitted, a pattern of lesions,
- inserting the support structure into the anal cavity with the electrodes retracted within the support structure,
- visualizing an opaque marker on a transparent region of the support structure marking location of the electrodes through the support structure,
- aligning the electrodes in a desired location with respect to the dentate line, relying at least in part upon the opaque marker,
- advancing the electrodes to penetrate tissue at or near a sphincter,
- applying energy through the electrodes to create a first pattern of lesions in the sphincter,
- retracting the electrodes, and
- rotationally shifting the position of the support structure in the tissue region, so that advancement the electrodes a second time forms, when the energy is transmitted, a second pattern of lesions rotationally shifted from the first pattern of lesions, together comprising the composite lesion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.