System and Method for Treating Hemorrhoids
A system and method are presented for treating branches of the superior hemorrhoidal artery by photocoagulation using laser energy. The inflamed dilated blood vessels in and around the anal region, often called hemorrhoids or piles, are caused due to a connective tissue disorder, a relative increase in pressure in the superior hemorrhoidal artery and a weakening of the vessels' valves. A suitable treatment system and a method are given for treating such conditions in a minimally invasive manner. The treatment system photocoagulates the branches of a superior hemorrhoidal artery in the anal and rectal regions using laser energy while causing minimal pain or discomfort to the patient. The system is provided with a transparent operational window. The distal end of the fiber and Doppler system channel are at the operational window. The system also includes a viewing window. The post operative recovery is faster than alternative approaches with no complications. In contrast to most other successful methods of the prior art, general anesthesia is no longer required, thereby significantly reducing complications and simplifying treatment.
1 . A treatment system for treating hemorrhoidal arteries comprising:
an anus-scope defining at least one of a size and shape for passage into and out of the anal canal and defining a channel therethrough;
a monitoring device receivable within the channel for identifying the hemorrhoidal arteries and monitoring blood flow therein; and
an energy application device having a working end and receivable within the channel for positioning the working end at a respective hemorrhoidal artery and, in turn, applying energy to the hemorrhoidal artery to thermally damage the artery.
2 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising an energy source coupled to the energy application device.
3 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein the energy source is one of a laser and an RF generator.
4 . The system according to claim 3 , wherein the energy application device is one of a fiber optic and an RF probe.
5 . The system according to claim 4 , wherein the fiber optic defines a diameter within the range of about 200 microns to 2000 microns.
6 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the monitoring device is one of a Doppler device and an ultrasound device.
7 . The system according to claim 6 , wherein the Doppler device is selected from the group consisting of a Doppler, an echo-Doppler, and an echo-color-Doppler.
8 . The system according to claim 6 , wherein the Doppler device is received within the channel and internally identifies the branches of hemorrhoidal arteries.
9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an aspirating device connectable in fluid communication with the channel for aspirating fumes therefrom.
10 . The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a light source optically coupled to the anus-scope for at least one of illuminating an interior of the anus-scope and illuminating a treatment site.
11 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the anus-scope includes a plurality of channels for receiving the energy application device and the monitoring device, respectively.
12 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein the anus-scope is disposable.
13 . The system according to claim 1 , further including:
a. a first channel for receiving an illumination device illuminating at least one of an interior of the anus-scope and a treatment site; and
b. a multi-use channel for receiving therein either the energy application device or the monitoring device.
14 . A treatment system for treating hemorrhoidal arteries comprising:
first means for passage into and out of the anal canal and defining a channel therethrough;
second means receivable within the channel for locating a hemorrhoidal artery and monitoring blood flow therein; and
third means receivable within the channel for applying energy to and thermally damaging the hemorrhoidal artery and at least one of significantly reducing and preventing blood flow therein.
15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the first means is an anus-scope, the second means is a monitoring device, and the third means is an energy application device.
16 . The system according to claim 15 , wherein the monitoring device is one of a Doppler device and an ultrasound device, and the energy application device is one of a fiber optic and an RF probe.
17 . A method for treating hemorrhoidal arteries in and around anal and rectal regions, comprising the steps of:
i. introducing an anus-scope into an anal canal;
ii. introducing a monitoring device through the anus-scope and into the anal canal, and locating with the monitoring device a hemorrhoidal artery; and
iii. introducing an energy application device through the anus scope and into the anal canal, positioning a working end of the energy application device at a hemorrhoidal artery identified by the monitoring device, applying energy from the working end of the energy application device to the hemorrhoidal artery and, in turn, thermally damaging the hemorrhoidal artery and at least one of significantly reducing and preventing blood flow therein.
18 . The method according to claim 17 , further comprising the step of placing the working end of the energy application device in contact with or closely adjacent to the hemorrhoidal artery.
19 . The method according to claim 17 , further comprising the steps of locating and treating a first hemorrhoidal artery, rotating the anus-scope and locating and treating a second hemorrhoidal artery.
20 . The method according to claim 17 , further comprising the steps of introducing the monitoring device through the anus-scope, rotating the anus-scope within the anal canal until the monitoring device locates a respective hemorrhoidal artery, fixing the position of the anus-scope at the respective hemorrhoidal artery, removing the monitoring device from the anus-scope, introducing the energy application device through the anus-scope and positioning the working end of the anus-scope at the hemorrhoidal artery, applying energy from the working end of the energy application device to the hemorrhoidal artery, and repeating the foregoing steps for at least one other hemorrhoidal artery.
21 . The method according to claim 20 , further comprising the steps of removing the energy application device from the anus-scope after thermally treating a hemorrhoidal artery, re-introducing the monitoring device into the anus-scope and monitoring the blood flow in the treated hemorrhoidal artery.
22 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of introducing an energy application device includes introducing an intensive radiation device through the anus scope and into the anal canal, positioning an output end of the intensive radiation device at a hemorrhoidal artery located by the monitoring device, applying sufficient radiation from the output end of the intensive radiation device to the hemorrhoidal artery to thermally damage the hemorrhoidal artery and at least one of significantly reduce and prevent blood flow therein.
23 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising illuminating at least one of an interior of the anus-scope and a treatment field during steps ii and iii.
24 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising aspirating a treatment site through the anus-scope during or following step iii.
25 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising performing steps I through iii without anesthesia.