Patent US6009877A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6009877A
Expired / Lapsed
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Method for treating a sphincter
Assignee: Venture Banking Group
•
Filing: 1998-02-19
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Granted: 2000-01-04
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Expires: 2018-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A method of treating a sphincter that provides an expandable basket structure with a first energy delivery device. The basket structure is introduced in a sphincter. The first energy delivery device is advanced from the basket structure into an interior of the sphincter. Sufficient energy is delivered from the first energy delivery device to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter. Thereafter, the basket structure is removed from the sphincter.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/389; A61B5/392; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B18/148; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; A61B5/02; A61B5/026; A61B5/0295; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0475; A61M16/0477; A61M16/0481; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/06; A61N1/40; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00106; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00867; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22062; A61B2017/22072; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00077; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00113; A61B2018/00148; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00232; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00291; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00482; A61B2018/00494; A61B2018/00553; A61B2018/00559; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00726; A61B2018/00738; A61B2018/00744; A61B2018/00755; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00815; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00839; A61B2018/00869; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/00892; A61B2018/00898; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916; A61B2018/00982; A61B18/02; A61B2018/0231; A61B2018/0262; A61B2018/044; A61B2018/046; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1273; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1467; A61B2018/1472; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61B2090/3614; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B5/01; A61B8/00; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/12; A61M16/0434; A61M16/0436; A61M16/0438; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052; A61M2025/1086; A61M25/1002; C; C08; C08L; C08L2201/00; C08L2201/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of treating a sphincter, comprising: providing an expandable basket structure with a coupled first, a second and a third arm, the expandable basket structure further including a first energy delivery device coupled to the first arm, wherein the basket structure has a non-deployed state and a deployed state; introducing the basket structure in the sphincter; advancing the first energy delivery device from the basket structure into an interior of the sphincter; delivering sufficient energy from the first energy delivery device to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter; and removing the basket structure from the sphincter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of treating a sphincter, comprising: providing an expandable basket structure with a coupled first, a second and a third arm, the expandable basket structure further including a first energy delivery device coupled to the first arm, wherein the basket structure has a non-deployed state and a deployed state; introducing the basket structure in the sphincter; advancing the first energy delivery device from the basket structure into an interior of the sphincter; delivering sufficient energy from the first energy delivery device to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter; and removing the basket structure from the sphincter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable basket further includes a second and a third energy delivery device each coupled to one of the second and third arms.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the first energy delivery device is positioned in a lumen of the first arm and introduced from the first arm into the sphincter, the second energy delivery device is positioned in a lumen of the second arm and introduced from the second arm into the sphincter and the third energy delivery device is positioned in a lumen of the third arm and introduced from the third arm into the sphincter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the first energy delivery device is positioned along an exterior surface of the first arm and introduced from the first arm into the sphincter, the second energy delivery device is positioned along an exterior surface of the second arm and introduced from the second arm into the sphincter and the third energy delivery device is positioned along an exterior surface of the third arm and introduced from the third arm into the sphincter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the sphincter is a lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of a plurality of lesions in the lower esophageal sphincter and reduces a duration of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of a plurality of lesions in the lower esophageal sphincter and reduces a frequency of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of a plurality of lesions in the lower esophageal sphincter and reduces a frequency of a symptom of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of a plurality of lesions in the lower esophageal sphincter that reduces an incidence of a sequela of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the desired tissue effect is a tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, wherein energy delivered to the sphincter produces lesions in an interior of the sphincter without creating a permanent impairment of the sphincter's ability to achieve a physiologically normal state of closure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to cause a proliferation of fibroblast cells in the sphincter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to cause an infiltration of fibroblast cells in the sphincter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device delivers sufficient energy to cause a proliferation of myofibroblast cells in the sphincter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to cause an infiltration of myofibroblast cells in the sphincter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device delivers sufficient energy to create a tightening of the sphincter without permanently damaging anatomical structures near the sphincter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the energy delivery device delivers sufficient energy to create a tightening of a lower esophageal sphincter without permanently disrupting an aorta positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the energy delivery device delivers a sufficient amount of energy to create a tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging a vagus nerve positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the energy delivery device delivers a sufficient amount of energy to create a tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging an esophageal plexus of nerves and veins positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 5, wherein the energy delivery device delivers a sufficient amount of energy to create a tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter while preserving a blood supply to the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device creates a tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter while creating submucosal lesions in the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: introducing a fluid to the sphincter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable basket structure further includes an electrolytic solution housed in an expanded expandable structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third energy delivery devices are each RF electrodes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2, wherein the expandable basket member is delivered to a lower esophageal sphincter transorally without an endoscope.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the expandable basket member is delivered to a lower esophageal sphincter with an endoscope.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |