Multifunction medical device and related methods of use

Abstract

An embodiment of the invention may include a medical device. The medical device may include a flexible tube, an elongate member configured to cut tissue and extend from the flexible tube, and a cauterizing member configured to cauterize tissue and to move relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube. The cauterizing member may substantially surround at least a portion of the elongate member.

1 . A medical device, comprising:
 a flexible tube configured to be disposed in a working lumen of an endoscope;   an elongate member configured to cut tissue and extend from the flexible tube; and   a cauterizing member configured to cauterize tissue and to move relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube,   wherein the cauterizing member substantially surrounds at least a portion of the elongate member.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the cauterizing member is configured to move longitudinally relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube,
 wherein the elongate member is configured to remain substantially stationary in a longitudinal direction relative to the flexible tube.   
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle including a first portion and a second portion; and
 an elongate connector connecting the cauterizing member to one of the first portion and the second portion,   wherein movement of the first portion relative to the second portion moves the cauterizing member relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube.   
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 3 , further comprising a cap connecting the elongate member to the flexible tube,
 wherein the cap defines a first lumen configured to accommodate the elongate connector therethrough,   wherein the cap and the elongate connector are configured to cooperate so as to substantially prevent fluid flow through the first lumen of the cap.   
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 3 , wherein the elongate connector is configured to conduct current,
 wherein the elongate connector is configured to be electrically connected to both of the cauterizing member and the elongate member.   
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein in at least one configuration the cauterizing member is substantially surrounded by the flexible tube. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle including an electrical connector and a fluid connector,
 wherein the elongate member includes a lumen,   wherein the electrical connector is configured to be connected to a source of current and is configured to be electrically connected to both of the cauterizing member and the elongate member,   wherein the fluid connector is configured to be connected to a source of fluid so as to provide fluid to the lumen of the elongate member.   
     
     
         8 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A medical device, comprising:
 a flexible tube defining a lumen;   an elongate member configured to cut tissue, the elongate member defining a lumen configured to accommodate fluid flow from the lumen of the flexible tube;   a cauterizing member configured to move relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube; and   an electrical connector disposed in the lumen of the flexible tube,   wherein the electrical connector is configured to accommodate current flow to at least one of the elongate member and the cauterizing member when the electrical connector is in contact with fluid disposed in the lumen of the flexible tube,   wherein the electrical connector consists of an electrically conductive material.   
     
     
         16 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein the cauterizing member is configured to move longitudinally relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube,
 wherein the elongate member is configured to remain substantially stationary in a longitudinal direction relative to the flexible tube.   
     
     
         17 . The medical device of  claim 15 , further comprising a handle including a first portion and a second portion,
 wherein movement of the first portion relative to the second portion moves the cauterizing member relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube,   wherein the electrical connector connects the cauterizing member to one of the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         18 . The medical device of  claim 15 , further comprising a cap connecting the elongate member to the flexible tube,
 wherein the cap defines a lumen configured to accommodate the elongate connector therethrough,   wherein the cap and elongate connector are configured to cooperate so as to substantially prevent fluid flow through the lumen of the cap.   
     
     
         19 . The medical device of  claim 15 , wherein in at least one configuration the cauterizing member is substantially surrounded by the flexible tube. 
     
     
         20 . The medical device of  claim 18 , further comprising a handle including the electrical connector and a fluid connector,
 wherein the electrical connector is configured to be connected to a source of current,   wherein the fluid connector is configured to be connected to a source of fluid so as to provide fluid to the lumen of the elongate member and the lumen of the flexible tube.   
     
     
         21 . A method of treating tissue, comprising:
 providing a device including:
 a flexible tube configured to be disposed in a working lumen of an endoscope; 
 an elongate member configured to cut tissue; and 
 a cauterizing member configured to move to a first position and a second position relative to the elongate member and the flexible tube, 
 wherein the first position is different from the second position, 
 positioning the cauterizing member in the first position such that the cauterizing member does not surround a portion of the elongate member; 
 with the cauterizing member in the first position, cutting tissue via the portion of the elongate member; 
 positioning the cauterizing member to the second position so as to substantially surround the portion of the elongate member; and 
 with the cauterizing member in the second position, cauterizing tissue via the cauterizing member. 
   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising longitudinally moving the cauterizing member relative to the flexible tube. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the device further comprises a handle Including a first portion and a second portion; and
 an electrical connector connecting the cauterizing member to one of the first portion and the second portion,   the method further comprising moving the first portion relative to the second portion so as to implement the positioning steps;   moving the electrical connector via the movement of the first portion relative to the second portion; and   providing current to one of the cauterizing member and the elongate member via the electrical connector.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising surrounding the cauterizing member with the flexible tube during the cutting step. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the elongate member includes a lumen,
 wherein the device further comprises a handle including an electrical connector and a fluid connector,   the method further comprising providing a source of current and a source of fluid;   connecting the fluid connector to the source of fluid so as to provide fluid to the lumen;   irrigating tissue via fluid flowing from the lumen; and   connecting the electrical connector to the source of current so as to provide a current to at least one of the cauterizing member and elongate member.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the elongate member is configured to be substantially stationary relative to the flexible tube. 
     
     
         27 - 41 . (canceled)