Methods and devices for identifying treatment sites

Abstract

Methods and devices for identifying treatment sites are disclosed. The method may include engaging a plurality of electrodes with a plurality of locations on or adjacent to an inner wall of the patient. The method may also include generating a pacing stimulus with the first pair of electrodes and measuring the resulting electrical activity. The method may also include identifying at least one treatment site based on the generated electrical activity. An apparatus may include elements configured to perform these methods. The device comprises: a plurality of electrodes; a memory device configured to store instructions for assessing electrical activity; and a processor configured to: access the instructions from the memory; use the instructions to direct an electrical energy source through the plurality of electrodes generating a pacing stimulus; using the instructions to measure generated electrical activity at one or more of the plurality of electrodes; and using the instructions to identify at least one treatment site based on the generated electrical activity. The processor is further configured to use the instructions to initiate treatment of at least one treatment site, such as radiofrequency energy, ultrasound energy, laser energy, cryoablation, microwave ablation, botulinum toxin injection, neurolytic agents, light energy, irreversible electrical Perforation and hydrogel injection.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This patent application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 137,979, filed March 25, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates generally to utilizing electrodes as diagnostic tools, and more particularly, to methods and devices for identifying treatment sites. Background technique [0004] Parts of the human body sometimes don't work as they should. Often, the cause of the dysfunction is limited to a specific area or location rather than the entire dysfunctional part (eg, an entire organ, an entire body duct, etc.). Treating entire organs, conduits, etc. may be unnecessary, wasteful, or even dangerous, since healthy and / or normally functioning areas will also be treated. For example, a patient's digestive tract may not be functioning properly, but the cause may be only a...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, current treatments such as Botox injections need to be repeated as the effects wear off over time

Additionally, overtreatment with botulinum toxin resulted in urinary retention that required self-catheterization in order to fail

As such, existing solutions for OAB may not properly address local and anatomical abnormalities of the detrusor muscle, indicating the need for alternative treatments for localized bladder abnormalities

[0008] Similarly, other dysfunctions within the bladder, other organs, urinary tract, or other conduits may be due to localized and anatomical abnormalities, but current solutions fail to identify the location of these abnormalities or treat only those specific locations

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