Devices and methods and agent-assisted medical procedures

Abstract

Various embodiments of bulking or cushioning agents or material and related medical devices and methods are disclosed. For example, a method of performing a medical procedure in a tract of a body may include injecting a material in a liquid phase proximate a target site between a first tissue layer and a second tissue layer, allowing the material to transition from the liquid phase to the gel phase in response to a raise in temperature of the material to approximately at or above the predetermined temperature, and performing a surgical procedure on the target site. The material may have the liquid phase at temperatures below a predetermined temperature and a gel phase at temperature approximately at or above the predetermined temperature.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of separating a first tissue and a second tissue, comprising:
 injecting a material at the target site between the first tissue and the second tissue, thereby separating the first tissue-from the second tissue, the material transitioning from a first viscosity to a second viscosity upon injection, the second viscosity being greater than the first viscosity;   wherein the material separates the first tissue and the second tissue prior to performing a medical procedure at the target site.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is performed on diseased tissue at the target site. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is a tissue resection or a tissue dissection. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is an endoscopic procedure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is performed in the gastrointestinal tract. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure includes endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the medical procedure is a urological procedure and the material is a bulking or cushioning agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material includes a therapeutic agent and/or an imaging agent. 
     
     
         9 . A method of creating spacing between a first tissue and a second tissue, comprising:
 injecting a material at the target site between the first tissue and the second tissue, the material transitioning from a first viscosity to a second viscosity upon injection, the second viscosity being greater than the first viscosity;   wherein the material creates spacing between the first tissue and the second tissue prior to performing a medical procedure at the target site.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the medical procedure is performed on diseased tissue at the target site. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the medical procedure includes removing tissue from the target site. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the medical procedure is a tissue resection or a tissue dissection. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the medical procedure includes endoscopic mucosal resection or endoscopic submucosal dissection. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the medical procedure is a urological procedure. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the material includes a therapeutic agent and/or an imaging agent. 
     
     
         16 . A method of creating spacing between a first tissue and a second tissue at a target site, comprising:
 injecting a material at the target site, thereby creating the spacing between the first tissue and the second tissue, the material transitioning from a first viscosity to a second viscosity upon injection, the second viscosity being greater than the first viscosity.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising performing a medical procedure at the target site. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the medical procedure is a tissue resection. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the medical procedure is a urological procedure and the material is a bulking or cushioning agent. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the material includes a therapeutic agent and/or an imaging agent.