380 results about "Sphincter" patented technology

A small implantable stimulator(s) having at least two electrodes is implanted adjacent to a gastrointestinal nerve and/or muscle for the stimulation treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, including gastrointestinal motility, sphincteric disorders, and/or eating disorders. The stimulator provides a means of stimulating tissue at a stimulation site when desired, and may be implanted via a minimal surgical procedure.

An apparatus to treat a sphincter has a support member. A sphincter electropotential mapping device includes a mapping electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is coupled to the support member and configured to detect aberrant myoelectric activity of the sphincter.

The present invention comprises a method of treating a sphincter that provides a sphincter electropotential mapping device with at least one of a mapping electrode or a treatment electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is introduced into at least a portion of the sphincter, the lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, the cardia or the fundus. Bioelectric activity causing a relaxation of the sphincter is detected and energy is delivered from either the mapping electrode or the treatment electrode to treat the bioelectric activity.

In another embodiment of the method of the invention, a method of treating a sphincter that provides a sphincter electropotential mapping device with at least one of a mapping electrode or a treatment electrode. The sphincter electropotential mapping device is introduced into at least a portion of the sphincter, the lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, the cardia or the fundus. The sphincter, lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, cardia or fundus is stimulated to produce a transient relaxation of the sphincter. The portion of the sphincter, lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, cardia or fundus causing a relaxation of the sphincter is indentified. Energy is delivered from the sphincter electropotential mapping device to treat the portion the sphincter, lower esophageal sphincter, stomach, cardia or fundus causing the transient relaxation of the sphincter.

Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treatment of tissue within a lumen of a body. For example, the devices described herein may be used to treat the urethra or gastrointestinal tract, including a sphincter. These devices may provide an expandable element at the distal end of an elongate body and may also include a plurality of electrodes (e.g., needle electrodes) configured to extend from the device and into the tissue to deliver energy to multiple, circumferentially arranged treatment sites. Sufficient energy may be delivered from the device to create a desired tissue effect.

A plurality of structures that resiliently attract one another are provided for implanting in a patient around a body tissue structure of the patient. For example, the body tissue structure may be the esophagus, and the plurality of structures may be implanted in an annulus around the outside of the esophagus, the annulus being substantially coaxial with the esophagus. The attraction may be between annularly adjacent ones of the structures in the annulus, and it may be provided, for example, by magnets or springs. The array of structures is preferably self-limiting with respect to the smallest area that it can encompass, and this smallest area is preferably large enough to prevent the apparatus from applying excessive pressure to tissue passing through that area.

The invention in certain aspects relates to a one-piece coil-shaped surgical fastener for fastening tissue segments, especially suitable for fastening segments of the lower esophogeal sphincter and fundus in an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of GERD. The invention also relates to related methods and devices for insertion of such a fastener, especially along a juncture of the surfaces of such tissue segments.

Systems and methods apply a selected treatment agent or agents into contact with tissue at or in the region of a dysfunctional sphincter (in the case of GERD, fecal incontinence, or other dysfunctional sphincter disorders) to affect improved sphincter barrier function and/or to disrupt abnormal nerve pathways. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one tissue bulking agent and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.

The invention provides a method and system for treating disorders in parts of the body. A particular treatment can include on or more of, or some combination of: ablation, nerve modulation, three-dimensional tissue shaping, drug delivery, mapping stimulating, shrinking and reducing strain on structures by altering the geometry thereof and providing bulk to particularly defined regions. The particular body structures or tissues can include one or more of or some combination of region, including: the bladder, esophagus, vagina, penis, larynx, pharynx, aortic arch, abdominal aorta, thoracic, aorta, large intestine, sinus, auditory canal, uterus, vas deferens, trachea, and all associated sphincters. Types of energy that can be applied include radiofrequency, laser, microwave, infrared waves, ultrasound, or some combination thereof. Types of substances that can be applied include pharmaceutical agents such as analgesics, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory drugs, bulking agents such as biologically non-reactive particles, cooling fluids, or dessicants such as liquid nitrogen for use in cryo-based treatments.

A method for treating a sphincter provides a polymer material having a liquid state. The method also provides a catheter having a distal end, a tissue piercing device carried by the distal end, and an energy delivery device coupled to the tissue piercing device. The tissue piercing device has a lumen. The method introduces the catheter into an esophagus and pierces an exterior sphincter tissue surface within with the tissue piercing device. The method advances the tissue piercing device into an interior sphincter tissue site and conveys the polymer material while in a liquid state through the lumen into the interior sphincter tissue site. The method delivers energy to the tissue piercing device to transform the polymer material into a less liquid state within the interior sphincter tissue site, to thereby remodel the sphincter.

An apparatus to treat a sphincter includes an energy delivery device support member. An energy delivery device is coupled to the energy delivery support member. The energy delivery device has a configuration that controllably produces lesions of a sufficient size and number in the sphincter to create a selectable tightening of the sphincter.

A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

The subject invention teaches the use of electrical stimulation of specific sensory nerves, such as the proximal urethral afferents to control urination. A wireless, injectable microstimulator may implanted into the soft tissues through which the sensory nerves pass. The sensory nerves supplying the proximal urethra are stimulated by a microstimulator implanted adjacent to the prostatic urethra within the substance of the prostate gland in males, and distal to the bladder neck in females. The activity induced in these nerves causes the spinal cord to generate reflex responses that result in contractions of the detrusor muscle and relaxation of the sphincter, emptying the bladder. The invention also includes methods of implanting and/or testing microstimulators at a target location. The invention also includes the use of sensory devices to effect the microstimulators or alert the user as to the status of the bladder.

A method of forming a composite lesion pattern in a tissue region at or near a sphincter comprising providing a catheter having a plurality of energy delivery devices coupled to the catheter. The catheter is introduced at least partially into the sphincter. Energy is delivered from the energy delivery devices to produce the composite lesion pattern. The composite lesion pattern comprises a radial distribution of lesions about the tissue region and a longitudinal distribution of lesions along the tissue region.

Systems and methods affect tightening of the pyloric sphincter and/or serve to mediate or moderate receptive relaxation of muscles in the stomach, to treat or mitigate various physiologic conditions, such as obesity, biliary reflex, GERD, and/or Barrett's esophagus. The systems and methods may be used as either a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.

An urethral drain having deep external drainage channels, a low-profiled bladder retention segment, and a reversibly detachable collection segment, facilitates the draining of urine and fluids from the bladder. The low-profiled retention means minimizes bladder irritations and the deep external channels reduce the occurrence of infections. Incorporation of a reduced diameter smooth segment on the catheter, proximate the location of the external urethral sphincter allows the patient to void normally and at will. Modifying the size of this smooth segment aids the function of a defective sphincter in controlling urine leakage. The drain can be worn concealed within the urethra. Flushing action from normal voiding washes out particulate matters in the urethra and the concealed drain further minimizes contamination. Together, these features improve quality of life for patients needing catheterization.

Described are implantable devices and methods for treating various disorders of the pelvic floor by delivering one or more drugs to a patient's hypogastric nerve or branches or portions thereof, prostatic plexus nerve or branches or portions thereof, sacral splanchnic nerve or branches or portions thereof, pelvic splanchnic nerve or branches or portions thereof, prostate or branches or portions thereof, pelvic floor, colon or branches or portions thereof, bladder or portions thereof, vagina or portions thereof, anus or portions thereof, external anal sphincter or portions thereof, urethra or portions thereof, penile dorsal nerve or portions thereof, inferior rectal nerves or branches or portions thereof, perineal nerves or branches or portions thereof, scrotal nerves or branches or portions thereof, scrotum or portions thereof, Alcock's Canal or branches or portions thereof, sacro-tuberous ligament or branches or portions thereof, ischial tuberosity or branches or portions thereof, greater sciatic foramen or branches or portions thereof, or lesser sciatic foramen or branches or portions thereof. One, two or more drug delivery regimes are provided on a continuous, alternating, intermittent or other basis to one or more selected nerves, nerve portions or tissues in an amount and manner effective to treat a number of disorders, including, but not limited to, urinary and/or fecal voiding dysfunctions such as constipation, incontinence disorders such as urge frequency and urinary retention disorders, sexual dysfunctions such as orgasmic and erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain, prostatitis, prostatalgia and prostatodynia.