Devices and methods and agent-assisted medical procedures
Various embodiments of bulking or cushioning agents or material and related medical devices and methods are disclosed. For example, a method of performing a medical procedure in a tract of a body may include injecting a material in a liquid phase proximate a target site between a first tissue layer and a second tissue layer, allowing the material to transition from the liquid phase to the gel phase in response to a raise in temperature of the material to approximately at or above the predetermined temperature, and performing a surgical procedure on the target site. The material may have the liquid phase at temperatures below a predetermined temperature and a gel phase at temperatures approximately at or above the predetermined temperature.
1. A method of injecting fluid into a body, comprising:
injecting a material in a liquid phase under a tissue surface, wherein injecting the material causes the tissue surface to protrude into a tract of the body;
wherein after the injecting step, the material transitions from the liquid phase to a gel phase in response to a raise in temperature of the material so that the tissue surface remains protruded into the tract; and
performing a medical procedure in the tract.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is a tissue resection.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is a dissection of the submucosal tissue.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material remains in the gel phase for at least approximately 30 minutes.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material transitions from the gel phase into a second liquid phase.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising: flushing the material in the second liquid phase.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material is degradable.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material contains a therapeutic agent and is configured to release the therapeutic agent into the body.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulus is one of light, pH change, or temperature change.
10. A method of injecting material into a body, comprising:
injecting a material in a liquid phase under a tissue surface defining a tract;
wherein after the injecting step, the material transitions from the liquid phase to a gel phase in response to a raise in temperature of the material; and
performing a medical procedure in the tract.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the medical procedure is a tissue resection.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the medical procedure is a dissection of the submucosal tissue.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the material remains in the gel phase for at least approximately 30 minutes.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the material transitions from the gel phase into a second liquid phase.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising: flushing the material in the second liquid phase.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the material is degradable.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein the material contains a therapeutic agent and is configured to release the therapeutic agent into the body.
18. A method of injecting material into a body, comprising:
injecting a material in a first phase under a tissue surface, wherein injecting the material causes the tissue surface to protrude;
wherein after the injecting step, the material transitions from the first phase to a second phase in response to a raise in temperature of the material so that the tissue surface remains protruded; and
performing a medical procedure on the protruded tissue.