Device and Method for Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

1 .- 74 . (canceled) 
     
     
         75 . A medical treatment system, comprising:
 an elongate insertion device configured for insertion into an opening of a body;   an energy source disposed outside the body;   an energy transmitting device located at a distal end of the insertion device, the energy transmitting device comprising an expandable portion which extends radially from the insertion device, and an antenna located in an exterior surface of the expandable portion, the antenna configured to transmit energy generated by the energy source to a target tissue area in the body; and   a manifold through which a transmission line of the energy source passes, the transmission line coupled to the energy transmitting device,   wherein the distal end of the insertion device is controllable to position the energy transmitting device in relation to the target tissue area.   
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 75 , wherein the expandable portion comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 76 , further comprising an inflation device one of inflating and deflating the balloon, the inflation device including a conduit passing through the manifold and forming at least part of the catheter, the catheter coupling to the balloon. 
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 76 , wherein the inflation device inflates the balloon using one of air, fluid and gel. 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 76 , further comprising a source of a coolant fluid which cools the balloon and target tissue in contact therewith. 
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the energy transmitting device includes a plurality of strips of energy transmitting material distributed over a first portion of the exterior surface of the balloon which, when inflated in the deployed position, contacts the target tissue. 
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 80 , wherein the energy transmitting material is spaced circumferentially about the exterior surface of the balloon. 
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the first portion of the balloon is positioned and shaped so that, when the balloon is inflated at a desired position a gastrointestinal tract of the body, the energy transmitting material contacts a target region of tissue adjacent a gastroesophageal junction. 
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the inflatable balloon is configured and dimensioned so that, when inflated in a desired position within the gastrointestinal tract, a second portion thereof extends distally beyond the first portion thereof into a proximal portion of the stomach. 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 75 , further comprising a vision system permitting a user to view the energy transmitting device when the expandable portion is in a deployed position. 
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 75 , a portion of the transmission line within the manifold forming a part of a catheter which, in an operative configuration, passes through the elongate insertion device. 
     
     
         86 . A medical treatment system, comprising:
 an elongate insertion device configured for insertion into an opening of a body;   an energy source including a transmission line received in the elongate insertion device;   an energy transmitting device located at a distal end of the insertion device, the energy transmitting device comprising an expandable portion which extends radially from the insertion device, and an antenna located in an exterior surface of the expandable portion, the antenna configured to transmit energy generated by the energy source to a target tissue area in the body; and   wherein the distal end of the insertion device is controllable to position the energy transmitting device in relation to the target tissue area.   
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 86 , further comprising a manifold through which the transmission line passes a portion of the transmission line within the manifold forming at least part of a catheter, the catheter passing through the elongate insertion device through the one of the ports and coupling to the energy transmitting device. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 87 , further comprising an inflation device one of inflating and deflating the expandable portion, the inflation device including a conduit passing through the manifold and forming at least part of the catheter, the catheter coupling to the expandable portion. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 86 , further comprising a light source illuminating an area surround the distal end by light transmitted through an optical cable which passes through one of the ports. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 88 , wherein the expandable portion comprises a balloon. 
     
     
         91 . The system of  claim 90 , wherein the inflation device inflates the balloon using one of air, fluid and gel. 
     
     
         92 . The system of  claim 86 , further comprising a vision system permitting a user to view the energy transmitting device when the expandable portion is in a deployed position. 
     
     
         93 . The system of  claim 92 , wherein the vision system includes an eye piece disposed at the proximal end of the elongate insertion device. 
     
     
         94 . The system of  claim 86 , further comprising a control mechanism at a proximal portion of the elongate insertion device controlling movement of the energy transmitting device. 
     
     
         95 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the antenna comprises a plurality of electrically conductive elements spaced circumferentially about the exterior surface of the expandable portion. 
     
     
         96 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the elongate insertion device includes a plurality of ports at a proximal end thereof, the transmission line being received in the elongate insertion device via a first one of the ports. 
     
     
         97 . A medical treatment system, comprising:
 an elongate insertion device configured for insertion into an opening of a body;   an energy source disposed outside the body;   an energy transmitting device at a distal end of the insertion device, the energy transmitting device comprising a balloon which extends radially from the insertion device, and an antenna located in an exterior surface of the balloon, the antenna configured to transmit energy generated by the energy source to a target tissue area in the body; and   a manifold through which a transmission line of the energy source passes, the transmission line coupled to the energy transmitting device,   wherein the distal end of the insertion device is controllable to position the energy transmitting device in relation to the target tissue area.   
     
     
         98 . The system of  claim 97 , a portion of the transmission line within the manifold forming a part of a catheter which, in an operative configuration, passes through the elongate insertion device.