Surgical probe for supporting inflatable therapeutic devices in contact with tissue in or around body orifices and within tumors

Abstract

A probe that facilitates the creation of lesions in bodily tissue. The probe includes a relatively short shaft and an inflatable therapeutic element.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
     
     
         29 . A method of forming a lesion around a body orifice, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a surgical probe including a relatively short shaft defining a distal portion and a proximal portion and an inflatable therapeutic element associated with the distal portion of the shaft;    inflating the inflatable therapeutic element to a predetermined pressure;    positioning the inflatable therapeutic element adjacent to the body orifice; and    forming a lesion around the body orifice with the inflatable therapeutic element.    
     
     
         30 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the step of positioning the inflatable therapeutic element comprises positioning the inflatable therapeutic element adjacent to a pulmonary vein.  
     
     
         31 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the step of forming a lesion around the body orifice comprises transmitting energy from the inflatable therapeutic element to tissue associated with the body orifice.  
     
     
         32 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the step of forming a lesion around the body orifice comprises heating tissue associated with the body orifice with the inflatable therapeutic element.  
     
     
         33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . A method of coagulating tumor tissue, comprising the steps of: 
 inserting an inflatable therapeutic element into the tumor; and    coagulating tissue with the inflatable therapeutic element.    
     
     
         35 . A method as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the step of inserting an inflatable therapeutic element into the tumor comprises the steps of inserting the inflatable therapeutic element into the tumor in a deflated state and inflating the inflatable therapeutic element within the tumor.