US6092528A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method to treat esophageal sphincters
Assignee: Venture Banking Group
•
Filing: 1998-03-06
•
Granted: 2000-07-25
•
Expires: 2018-03-06
Abstract
Abstract A method of treating a sphincter provides a treatment apparatus that includes an expandable device coupled to an introducer distal portion and an energy delivery device. The expandable device includes a first arm and a second arm each with proximal and distal section. The expandable member has a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration when the first and second arm distend away from each other. The expandable device is at least partially introduced in the sphincter. At least a portion of the energy delivery device is advanced from the expandable device into an interior of the sphincter. Sufficient energy is delivered from the energy delivery device to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter. The expandable device is then removed from the sphincter.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 12:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B18/148; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; 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; A61B2018/00267; 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; A61B2018/1467; A61B2018/1472; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61B2090/3614; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61F; A61F7/00; A61F7/12; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052; A61M2025/1086; A61M25/1002; C; C08; C08L; C08L2201/00; C08L2201/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of treating a sphincter, comprising: providing treatment apparatus means including an expandable device means coupled to an introducer distal portion means and an energy delivery device means, the expandable device means including a first arm means and a second arm means each with proximal and distal section means, wherein the expandable device means has a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration when the first and second arm means distend away from each other; introducing at least a portion of the expandable device means in the sphincter; advancing the at least a portion of the energy delivery device means from the expandable device means into an interior of the sphincter; delivering sufficient energy from the energy delivery device means to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter; and removing the expandable device means from the sphincter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of treating a sphincter, comprising: providing treatment apparatus means including an expandable device means coupled to an introducer distal portion means and an energy delivery device means, the expandable device means including a first arm means and a second arm means each with proximal and distal section means, wherein the expandable device means has a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration when the first and second arm means distend away from each other; introducing at least a portion of the expandable device means in the sphincter; advancing the at least a portion of the energy delivery device means from the expandable device means into an interior of the sphincter; delivering sufficient energy from the energy delivery device means to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter; and removing the expandable device means from the sphincter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: expanding the expandable device means in the sphincter to the deployed configured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a temperature of the sphincter at a selected treatment site.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a temperature of the sphincter at a surface of the sphincter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a temperature of the sphincter in an interior of the sphincter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the desired tissue effect is a modification of sphincter tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the desired tissue effect is a contraction of sphincter tissue.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of cell necrosis of sphincter tissue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of cell necrosis of a sub-mucosal sphincter tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of cell necrosis of a mucosal sphincter tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the sphincter is a lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 11, wherein sufficient energy is applied to the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce a duration of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11, wherein sufficient energy is applied to the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce a frequency of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11, wherein sufficient energy is applied to the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce a frequency of a symptom of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11, wherein sufficient energy is applied to the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce an incidence of a sequela of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 11, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging anatomical structures near the sphincter.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 11, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently disrupting an aorta positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 11, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging a vagus nerve positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the energy delivery device delivers a sufficient amount of energy to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging an esophageal plexus of nerves and veins positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the energy delivery device delivers a sufficient amount of energy to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter while preserving a blood supply to the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein energy delivered to the sphincter produces the desired tissue effect without creating a permanent impairment of the sphincter's ability to achieve a physiologically normal state of closure.
Claim 23
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 24
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 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to cause a proliferation of myofibroblast cells in the sphincter.
Claim 26
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 27
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of treating a sphincter, comprising: providing treatment apparatus means including an expandable device means coupled to an introducer distal portion means and an energy delivery device means, the expandable device means including a first arm means and a second arm means each with proximal and distal section means, wherein the expandable member means has a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration; introducing the expandable device means in the sphincter; delivering sufficient energy from the energy delivery device means to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter; and removing the expandable device means from the sphincter.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of treating a sphincter, comprising: providing treatment apparatus means including an expandable device means coupled to an introducer distal portion means and an energy delivery device means, the expandable device means including a first arm means and a second arm means each with proximal and distal section means, wherein the expandable member means has a non-deployed configuration and a deployed configuration; introducing the expandable device means in the sphincter; delivering sufficient energy from the energy delivery device means to create a desired tissue effect in the sphincter; and removing the expandable device means from the sphincter.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising: expanding the expandable device means in the sphincter to the deployed configured.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising: detecting a temperature of the sphincter at a selected treatment site.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising: detecting a temperature of the sphincter at a surface of the sphincter.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 26, further comprising: detecting a temperature of the sphincter in an interior of the sphincter.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the desired tissue effect is a modification of sphincter tissue.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the desired tissue effect is a contraction of sphincter tissue.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of cell necrosis of sphincter tissue.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of cell necrosis of a sub-mucosal sphincter tissue.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the desired tissue effect is a creation of cell necrosis of a mucosal sphincter tissue.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the sphincter is a lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 36, wherein sufficient energy is applied to the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce a duration of lower esophageal sphincter relaxation.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 36, wherein sufficient energy is applied to the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce a frequency of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 36, wherein sufficient energy is applied to the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce a frequency of a symptom of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 36, wherein sufficient energy is applied to the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce an incidence of a sequela of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 36, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging anatomical structures near the sphincter.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 36, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently disrupting an aorta positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 36, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging a vagus nerve positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the energy delivery device delivers a sufficient amount of energy to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging an esophageal plexus of nerves and veins positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 36, wherein the energy delivery device delivers a sufficient amount of energy to create the desired tissue effect in the lower esophageal sphincter while preserving a blood supply to the lower esophageal sphincter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 26, wherein energy delivered to the sphincter produces the desired tissue effect without creating a permanent impairment of the sphincter's ability to achieve a physiologically normal state of closure.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to cause a proliferation of fibroblast cells in the sphincter.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to cause an infiltration of fibroblast cells in the sphincter.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to cause a proliferation of myofibroblast cells in the sphincter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 26, wherein sufficient energy is delivered to cause an infiltration of myofibroblast cells in the sphincter.
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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) | 2003-07-25 | 2004-01-24 | 2004-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-25 | 2008-01-24 | 2008-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-25 | 2012-01-24 | 2012-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |