Patent · US Expired

Stomach and adjoining tissue regions in the esophagus

US6464697B1 · kind B1 · utility

268Cited by
147References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 4, 1999
Grant dateOct 15, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 4, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2218/007
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Systems and methods treat a tissue region. In one arrangement, the systems and methods deploy an electrode on a support structure in a tissue region at or near the cardia of the stomach. The support structure has a proximal region and a distal region. The proximal region is enlarged in comparison to the distal region, and the electrode is carried by the enlarged proximal surface. The systems and methods advance the electrode in a path to penetrate the tissue region and couple the electrode to a source of radio frequency energy to ohmically heat tissue and create a lesion in the tissue region. In another arrangement, the systems and methods treat abnormal epithelium tissue at or near the lower esophageal sphincter by bringing an array of surface electrodes into contact with abnormal epithelium tissue. The systems and methods couple the surface electrodes to a source of radio frequency energy to ohmically heat tissue and cause necrosis of the abnormal epithelium tissue.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.