GERD treatment apparatus and method
View Patent ↗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.
1. A method of treating a sphincter, comprising:
providing an energy delivery device support member coupled to an energy delivery device;
introducing the energy delivery device support member at least partially in a sphincter;
delivering energy from the energy delivery device to create a sufficient number of sphincter lesions to reduce a frequency of a symptom of reflux of stomach contents into an esophagus; and
removing the energy delivery device support member from the sphincter.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein energy is controllably delivered to the sphincter to create the lesions without creating a permanent impairment of the sphincter's ability to achieve a physiologically normal state of closure.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device delivers sufficient energy to cause a proliferation of fibroblast cells in the sphincter.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the energy delivery device delivers sufficient energy to cause a proliferation of myofibroblast cells in the sphincter.
5. 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.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the energy delivery device delivers sufficient energy to create a tightening of the sphincter without permanently disrupting an aorta positioned near a lower esophageal sphincter.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the energy delivery device delivers a sufficient amount of energy to create a tightening of a lower esophageal sphincter without permanently damaging a vagus nerve positioned near the lower esophageal sphincter.
8. 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.
9. 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 sphincter.
10. 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.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device support member is coupled to an electrolytic media source.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
introducing an electrolytic media to the sphincter.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is an RF electrode.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is a microwave antenna.
15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is a waveguide coupled to a laser.
16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is an acoustical transducer.
17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is a resistive heating device.
18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is delivered to the sphincter transorally without an endoscope.
19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the energy delivery device is delivered to the sphincter with an endoscope.
20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sphincter is the lower esophageal sphincter.