Device and Method for Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Abstract

A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastro esophageal 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 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 device, comprising:
 a catheter sized and shaped to be inserted into an opening of a body;   an inflatable member extending along and about a distal portion of the catheter, the inflatable member movable between an insertion configuration and an inflated configuration in which the inflatable member is radially expanded;   an energy transmitting device attached to an outer surface of the inflatable member such that energy is transmitted to a target tissue via contact between the energy transmitting device and the target tissue; and   an energy source coupled to a proximal end of the catheter, the energy source transmitting energy through the catheter to the energy transmitting device via a transmission line extending through the catheter.   
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 75 , further comprising an inflation device at a proximal end of the catheter for moving the inflatable member between the insertion configuration and the inflated configuration. 
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 76 , wherein the inflation device provides one of air, fluid and a gel to inflate the inflatable member. 
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 77 , wherein one of the air, fluid and gel is cooled. 
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the energy transmitting device extends along a portion of a length of the inflatable member. 
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the energy source generates energy including one of laser, RF, microwave and ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the energy transmitting device includes a plurality of longitudinal strips of energy transmitting material distributed about the outer surface of the inflatable member. 
     
     
         82 . A medical treatment system, comprising:
 a catheter sized and shaped to be inserted into an opening of a body;   an inflatable member extending along and about a distal portion of the catheter, the inflatable member movable between an insertion configuration and an inflated configuration in which the inflatable member is radially expanded;   an energy transmitting device attached to an outer surface of the inflatable member such that energy is transmitted to a target tissue via contact between the energy transmitting device and the target tissue;   an energy source coupled to a proximal end of the catheter, the energy source transmitting energy through the catheter to the energy transmitting device via a transmission line extending through the catheter; and   a vision system permitting a user to view a positioning of the energy transmitting device in the body.   
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the vision system includes an elongate member extending from a proximal end to a distal end and sized and shaped for insertion into the opening of the body, the elongate member including an eye piece at the proximal end thereof and a light source extending therethrough to permit visualization at the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the vision system is an endoscope. 
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 82 , further comprising an inflation device at a proximal end of the catheter for moving the inflatable member between the insertion configuration and the inflated configuration. 
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the inflation device provides one of air, fluid and a gel to inflate the inflatable member. 
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 86 , wherein the one of air, fluid and gel is cooled. 
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the energy transmitting device extends along a portion of a length of the inflatable member. 
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the energy source generates energy including one of laser, RF, microwave and ultrasonic energy. 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 82 , wherein the energy transmitting device includes a plurality of longitudinal strips of energy transmitting material distributed about the outer surface of the inflatable member. 
     
     
         91 . A method for treating body tissue, comprising:
 inserting a catheter through an opening of a body until an inflatable member extending along and about a distal portion of the catheter is at a desired position within the body;   expanding the inflatable member from an insertion to an inflated configuration in which the inflatable member is expanded radially outward such that an energy transmitting device attached to an outer surface of the inflatable member is in contact with a target tissue; and   transmitting energy from an energy source coupled to a proximal end of the catheter to the energy transmitting device via a transmission line extending through the catheter   
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91 , further comprising inserting a vision system into the opening of the body to view a position of the energy transmitting device.