Methods of delivering energy to body portions to produce a therapeutic response

Abstract

The invention relates to methods of applying energy to various body portions to produce a therapeutic response. According to embodiments, the applied energy is ultrasound and may be delivered by an ultrasound focusing device deployed in the body, for example, by using an endoscope. The energy may be used to effect a variety of therapeutic responses, including ablating lesions in the gall bladder, treating gastrointestinal reflux disease, or treating fecal incontinence.

1 - 27 . (canceled) 
   
   
       28 . A method of ablating tissue in a gall bladder comprising:
 applying energy to the gall bladder to produce a therapeutic response.   
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the applied energy is ultrasound. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising adjusting the amount of energy applied to the gall bladder. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 inserting an endoscope with a working channel into the body; and   advancing an ultrasound device through the working channel proximate the gall bladder, the ultrasound device for applying the energy.   
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the therapeutic response is ablating tissue in the gall bladder. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the therapeutic response is causing tissue necrosis in the gall bladder. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the energy is applied to a portion of the gall bladder below a surface of the gall bladder. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the energy is applied to the gall bladder via an ultrasound device, and further comprising focusing the energy from the ultrasound device on a portion of the gall bladder. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the energy is focused below a surface of the gall bladder. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the ultrasound device is positioned outside of a body. 
   
   
       38 . A method of activating a device, the method comprising:
 applying ultrasound energy to the device to activate the device.   
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the device is an implant. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising:
 adjusting the amount of energy applied to the implant.   
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the implant is implanted within a patient. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 inserting an endoscope with a working channel into the patient; and   advancing an ultrasound device through the working channel to a location proximate the implant, the ultrasound device for applying the energy.   
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the energy is applied to the implant via an ultrasound device, and further comprising focusing the energy from the ultrasound device on a portion of the implant. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the ultrasound device is positioned outside of the patient. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the device is a tool inserted into a patient for performing a treatment. 
   
   
       46 . A method of providing a treatment to a patient, the method comprising:
 providing an ultrasound actuable implant;   implanting the implant within the patient;   providing an ultrasound device;   positioning the ultrasound device at a location proximate the implant; and   applying ultrasound energy from the ultrasound device to the implant to activate the implant for providing the treatment.   
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46 , further comprising:
 focusing the energy from the ultrasound device on a portion of the implant; and   adjusting the amount of energy applied to the implant.   
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein the entire ultrasound device is positioned outside of the patient.