US20160022357A1 - Method for treating fecal incontinence - Google Patents
Method for treating fecal incontinence Download PDFInfo
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- US20160022357A1 US20160022357A1 US14/828,320 US201514828320A US2016022357A1 US 20160022357 A1 US20160022357 A1 US 20160022357A1 US 201514828320 A US201514828320 A US 201514828320A US 2016022357 A1 US2016022357 A1 US 2016022357A1
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- A61B18/14—Probes or electrodes therefor
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Definitions
- the invention is directed to systems and methods for treating interior tissue regions of the body. More specifically, the invention is directed to systems and methods for treating dysfunction in the intestines and rectum.
- the gastrointestinal tract also called the alimentary canal, is a long tube through which food is taken into the body and digested.
- the alimentary canal begins at the mouth, and includes the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and rectum. In human beings, this passage is about 30 feet (9 meters) long.
- Small, ring-like muscles called sphincters, surround portions of the alimentary canal. In a healthy person, these muscles contract or tighten in a coordinated fashion during eating and the ensuing digestive process, to temporarily close off one region of the alimentary canal from another region of the alimentary canal.
- the internal and external sphincter muscles In the rectum, two muscular rings, called the internal and external sphincter muscles, normally keep fecal material from leaving the anal canal.
- the external sphincter muscle is a voluntary muscle
- the internal sphincter muscle is an involuntary muscle. Together, by voluntary and involuntary action, these muscles normally contract to keep fecal material in the anal canal.
- the rectum can stretch and hold fecal material for some time after a person becomes aware that the material is there.
- the holding action of these sphincter muscles is critical in maintaining fecal continence.
- Damage to the external or internal sphincter muscles can cause these sphincters to dysfunction or otherwise lose their tone, such that they can no longer sustain the essential fecal holding action.
- Fecal incontinence results, as fecal material can descend through the anal canal without warning, stimulating the sudden urge to defecate.
- fecal incontinence i.e., the loss of normal control of the bowels and gas, liquid, and solid stool leakage from the rectum at unexpected times
- embarrassment, shame, and a loss of confidence can also cause embarrassment, shame, and a loss of confidence, and can further lead to mental depression.
- Fecal incontinence affects as many as one million Americans. It is more common in women and in the elderly of both sexes. Many people with fecal incontinence are ashamed to talk about their problem with their doctor or family.
- Muscle damage can also occur as a result of trauma, or during rectal surgery. It may also occur in people with inflammatory bowel disease or an abscess in the perirectal area.
- dietary bulking agents or other antimotility agents can be used to change the texture of fecal material, to slow its descent through the rectum.
- Biofeedback therapy has met with success. Still, this therapy is time consuming and works to overcome dysfunction only of the voluntary external sphincter muscle. Biofeedback therapy is not effective in overcoming dysfunction of the involuntary internal sphincter muscle.
- Hemorrhoids are enlargements of the veins of the rectum. Many people seem to inherit a tendency toward developing hemorrhoids. However, any condition that causes prolonged or repeated increases in the blood pressure in the rectal veins may contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. Such conditions include constipation, pregnancy, and long periods of standing. Hemorrhoids can be internal (protruding through the anal sphincter) or external (covered with skin outside the sphincter). Hemorrhoids of the external veins usually cause little discomfort, unless a blood clot forms in the affected vein and results in inflammation.
- Hemorrhoids of the internal veins may bleed or descend through the anus as a result of bowel movements. Such hemorrhoids may cause pain or itching. Mild cases can be treated with medicated ointments or suppositories (inserted capsules), or by soaking in warm water. If the victim repeatedly suffers painful attacks or bleeding, a physician may remove the hemorrhoids surgically. However, surgery for hemorrhoids can itself damage the external or internal sphincter muscle and lead to fecal incontinence.
- the invention provides a method for treating fecal incontinence.
- the method inserts a transparent structure into an anal cavity.
- the method visualizes from outside the anal cavity a dentate line within the anal canal through the transparent structure. While visualizing the dentate line, the method advances at least one electrode into tissue at or near an anal sphincter above the dentate line.
- the method applies energy through the electrode to create a lesion in the sphincter.
- the method conveys fluid into contact with the tissue to cool the tissue while applying energy to the electrode.
- FIG. 1 is an anatomic view of the rectum and anal canal.
- FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a system for treating sphincters and adjoining tissue regions in the rectum and anal canal;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a treatment device usable in association with the system shown in FIG. 2 , with the energy application electrodes withdrawn for deployment;
- FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the treatment device shown in FIG. 3 , with the energy application electrodes extended for use;
- FIG. 5 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 with the energy application electrodes extended into the internal sphincter muscle;
- FIG. 6A is a top view of the barrel of the treatment device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , showing a symmetrical, circumferentially spaced array of four energy application electrodes;
- FIG. 6B is a top view of the barrel of the treatment device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , showing a symmetrical, circumferentially spaced array of eight energy application electrodes;
- FIG. 6C is a side view of the barrel of the treatment device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , showing a symmetrical, circumferentially spaced array of eight energy application electrodes in two axially spaced apart rings;
- FIG. 6D is a top view of the barrel of the treatment device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , showing an asymmetrical, circumferentially spaced array of five energy application electrodes;
- FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another treatment device usable in association with the system shown in FIG. 2 , with straight energy application electrodes withdrawn for deployment;
- FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the treatment device shown in FIG. 7 , with the straight energy application electrodes extended for use;
- FIG. 9A is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 with the energy application electrodes extended into the internal sphincter muscle from outside the anal canal;
- FIG. 9B is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 with the energy application electrodes extended into the internal sphincter muscle from inside the anal canal;
- FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a two part treatment device usable in association with the system shown in FIG. 2 , with energy application electrodes extended for use in a radial direction;
- FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a two part treatment device usable in association with the system shown in FIG. 2 , with straight energy application electrodes extended for use in an axial direction;
- FIG. 12 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown in FIG. 10 , with the energy application electrodes extended radially into the internal sphincter muscle;
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another treatment device usable in association with the system shown in FIG. 2 , with an expandable structure that carries energy application electrodes for deployment, the structure being shown in a collapsed condition;
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the treatment device shown in FIG. 13 , with the structure expanded;
- FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of an expandable structure carrying four electrodes, which is useable in association with the treatment device shown in FIG. 13 , showing the structure expanded and the four electrodes extended for use;
- FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of an expandable structure carrying eight electrodes, which is useable in association with the treatment device shown in FIG. 13 , showing the structure expanded and the eight electrodes extended for use;
- FIG. 17 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , with the expandable structure expanded and the energy application electrodes extended radially into the internal sphincter muscle;
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a hand manipulated device with a tubular barrel for deploying an array of needle electrodes in the anal cavity, the needle electrodes being shown in a retracted position;
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the hand manipulated device shown in FIG. 18 , with the array of needle electrodes shown in their extended position;
- FIG. 20 is a side section view of the device shown in FIG. 18 , showing the mechanism for deploying the array of needle electrodes, the needle electrodes being shown in their retracted position;
- FIG. 21 is a side section view of the device shown in FIG. 18 , showing the mechanism for deploying the array of needle electrodes, the needle electrodes being shown in their extended position;
- FIG. 22 is a perspective exploded view of the electrode-guiding carrier that is mounted in the tubular barrel of the device shown in FIG. 18 ;
- FIG. 23 is a perspective assembled view of the electrode-guiding carrier shown in FIG. 22 ;
- FIG. 24 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown in FIG. 18 inserted for positioning relative to the pectinate line with the needle electrodes in their retracted position;
- FIG. 25 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown in FIG. 18 inserted with the needle electrodes in their extended position inside the internal sphincter muscle;
- FIG. 26 is an anatomic view of the anal canal shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 , with the treatment device shown in FIG. 18 rotated to a new position and the needle electrodes in their retracted position;
- FIG. 27 is an anatomic view of the anal canal shown in FIG. 26 , with the treatment device shown in FIG. 18 rotated to the new position and the needle electrodes in their extended position inside the internal sphincter muscle;
- FIG. 28 is an anatomic view of a complex lesion pattern formed in the internal sphincter muscle by manipulating the device shown in FIG. 18 in the manner shown in FIGS. 24 to 27 ;
- FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of hand manipulated device with a tubular barrel for deploying an array of needle electrodes in the anal cavity, the needle electrodes being shown in an extended position.
- This Specification discloses various catheter-based systems and methods for treating dysfunction of sphincters and adjoining tissue regions in the body.
- the systems and methods are particularly well suited for treating these dysfunctions in the lower gastrointestinal tract, e.g., in the intestines, rectum and anal canal. For this reason, the systems and methods will be described in this context.
- systems and methods are applicable for use in treating other dysfunctions elsewhere in the body, e.g., for restoring compliance to or otherwise tightening interior tissue or muscle regions.
- the systems and methods that embody features of the invention are also adaptable for use with systems and surgical techniques that are not necessarily catheter-based.
- the rectum is the terminal part of the large intestine 12 .
- the rectum 10 extends from the sigmoid flexure 14 (which is the narrowest part of the colon) to the anal orifice 16 .
- the rectum 10 is about 15 to 17 cm in overall length.
- the upper or superior portion of the rectum 10 extends downward from the sigmoid flexure 14 . This portion of the rectum 10 is almost completely surrounded by the peritoneum. A mucous membrane lines this portion of the rectum 10 . The mucous membrane is thicker, of a darker color, and more vascular than elsewhere in the colon.
- the superior portion of the rectum 10 contains a number of permanent folds of a semilunar shape, which are called the Houston valves 18 . As FIG. 1 shows, there are usually three Houston valves 18 . Sometimes a fourth is present, and occasionally only two are found.
- the Houston valves 18 overlap each other.
- the valves 18 support the weight of fecal matter, to slow its descent toward the anal orifice 16 .
- the inferior or lower part of the rectum 10 is contracted to expel fecal matter, a number of additional folds develop in the mucous membrane of the superior portion of the rectum 10 , to urge fecal matter downward.
- the middle portion of the rectum 10 is covered anteriorly and laterally by peritoneum as it extends from the superior portion. However, as the rectum 10 extends further downward, the lateral peritoneum gradually recedes.
- the lower or inferior portion of the rectum 10 is called the anal canal 20 . It typically extends about 4 to 5 cm above the anal orifice 16 .
- the anal canal 20 is invested by the internal sphincter muscle 22 , supported by the Levatores ani muscle 24 , and surrounded at its termination by the external sphincter muscle 26 .
- the external sphincter muscle 26 is a thin flat plane of muscular fibers, measuring about 5 cm in length. It is always in a state of tonic contraction to keep the anal orifice 16 closed. In an empty condition, the anal canal 20 therefore has the appearance of a longitudinal slit. The external sphincter muscle 26 can voluntarily be placed in a greater condition of contraction, to more firmly occlude the anal orifice 16 .
- the internal sphincter muscle 22 is a muscular ring that surrounds the lower extremity of the rectum 10 for about 2 cm. Its inferior border is contiguous with the external sphincter muscle 26 . However, the functions of the two sphincter muscles 22 and 26 are separate. Unlike the external sphincter muscle 26 , the internal sphincter muscle 22 is an involuntary muscle. Together, the voluntary external sphincter muscle 26 works with the involuntary internal sphincter muscle 22 to occlude the anal orifice 16 . The internal sphincter muscle 22 contributes about 85% of the resting tone of the anal canal 20 , to keep fecal material in the rectum 10 until time of controlled expulsion.
- the levator ani muscle 24 is a broad, thin muscle situated on each side of the pelvis. This muscle supports the lower end of the rectum 10 and bladder during the controlled efforts of expulsion.
- a pectinate (dentate) line 30 is defined about 2.5 to 3 cm above the anal orifice 16 .
- the superior extent of the external sphincter muscle 26 extends about 5 cm above the pectinate (dentate) line 30 .
- the superior extent of the internal sphincter muscle 22 extends about 2 to 2.5 cm above the pectinate (dentate) line.
- Sensitive mucosal tissue lines the anal canal 20 below the pectinate line 30 .
- Anoderm tissue is sensitive to contact with fecal material. When contacting anoderm tissue, the sensed presence of fecal material excites a sensation demanding discharge.
- Mucosal tissue immediately above the pectinate line 30 is also sensitive to the presence of fecal material.
- the anal columns provide sensory information that discriminates among different types and textures of fecal material, thereby aiding in overall control of the discharge of fecal material.
- treatment of the rectum 10 should guard against damage to the mucosal tissue below and above the pectinate (dentate) line 30 .
- This sensitive mucosal tissue may be damaged, e.g., by exposure to abnormal heat, and typically do not regenerate after thermal injury.
- the external sphincter muscle 26 or the internal sphincter muscle 22 , or both lose their tone.
- the anal orifice 16 is not occluded.
- Fecal material descends without control, to spontaneously excite the sensitive anoderm tissue to demand immediate discharge.
- FIG. 1 the views of the rectum 10 and anal canal 20 shown in FIG. 1 , and elsewhere in the drawings, are not intended to be strictly accurate in an anatomic sense.
- the drawings show the rectum 10 and anal canal 20 in somewhat diagrammatic form to demonstrate the features of the invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a system 34 for treating dysfunction of the external sphincter muscle 26 , or internal sphincter muscle 22 , or both.
- the system 34 includes a treatment device 36 .
- the device 36 can be constructed in various ways.
- the device 36 includes a hand piece 38 made, e.g., from molded plastic.
- the hand piece 38 includes a handle grip 40 , which is sized to be conveniently held by a physician, in the same fashion as an anuscope.
- the hand piece 38 also includes a barrel 42 having a distal end 44 .
- a bullet-shaped introducer 46 extends a distance beyond the distal end 44 .
- the barrel 42 and introducer 46 are sized (e.g., by having a maximum outside diameter of about 30 mm to 33 mm) for insertion into the rectum 10 through the anal orifice 16 .
- the introducer 46 aids passage through the anal canal 20 .
- the introducer 46 can be mounted for movement within the barrel 42 and coupled to a push-pull actuator 88 . In this arrangement, the introducer 42 can be removed from the barrel 42 once the barrel 42 has passed through the anal canal 20 and is deployed in the rectum 10 .
- the barrel 42 can include malleable sections 104 to allow the distal end 44 of the barrel 42 to be bent relative to the hand grip 40 , either left or right, or up and down, or both, thereby aiding manipulation. Further details of using the treatment device 36 will be described later.
- the hand grip 40 , barrel 42 , and introducer 46 can form an integrated construction intended for a single use and subsequent disposal as a unit.
- the hand grip 40 can comprise a nondisposable component intended for multiple uses.
- the barrel 42 and introducer 46 along with other components carried by the barrel 42 (as will be described), comprise a disposable assembly, which the physician releasably connects to the hand grip 40 at time of use and disconnects and discards after use.
- the proximal end of the barrel 42 can, for example, include a male plug connector that couples to a female plug receptacle on the hand grip 40 .
- the barrel 42 carries an array of energy applicators 66 at its distal end 44 .
- the energy applicators 66 slide through openings 48 in the barrel 42 between a retracted position, withdrawn in the barrel 42 (shown in FIG. 3 ) and an extended position, extending outward from the barrel 42 (shown in FIG. 4 ).
- a trigger or other push-pull lever 68 on the hand grip 40 is coupled through the barrel 42 to the energy applicators 66 .
- the lever 68 controls movement of the energy applicators 66 between the retracted position (by pushing forward on the lever 68 ) and the extended position (by pulling rearward on the lever 68 ).
- the applicators 66 apply energy in a selective fashion to a targeted sphincter region below mucosal tissue in the rectum 10 .
- the applied energy creates one or more lesions, or a prescribed pattern of lesions, below the mucosal surface 76 of the rectum 10 .
- the submucosal lesions are formed in a manner that preserves and protects the exterior muscosal tissue against damage.
- the system 34 includes a generator 50 to supply the treatment energy.
- the generator 50 supplies radio frequency energy, e.g., having a frequency in the range of about 400 kHz to about 10 mHz.
- the energy applicators 66 comprise radio frequency transmitting electrodes.
- the electrodes 66 can be formed from various energy transmitting materials. In the illustrated embodiment, for deployment in the rectum 10 and anal canal 20 , the electrodes 66 are formed from nickel titanium. The electrodes 66 can also be formed from stainless steel, e.g., 304 stainless steel, or, a combination of nickel titanium and stainless steel.
- the electrodes have sufficient distal sharpness and strength to penetrate a desired depth into the internal and/or external sphincter muscle 22 and/or 26 .
- the desired depth can range from about 7 mm to about 8 mm from the inside wall of the rectum 10 .
- a cable 52 extending from the proximal end of the hand grip 40 terminates with an electrical connector 54 .
- the cable 52 is electrically coupled to the electrodes 66 , e.g., by wires that extend through the interior of the hand grip 40 and barrel 42 .
- the connector 54 plugs into the generator 50 , to convey the generated energy to the electrodes 66 .
- the system 34 also includes certain auxiliary processing equipment.
- the processing equipment comprises an external fluid delivery apparatus 56 and an external aspirating apparatus 58 .
- the barrel 42 includes one or more interior lumens (not shown) that terminate in fittings 60 and 62 , located on the hand grip 40 or barrel 42 .
- One fitting 62 connects to the fluid delivery apparatus 56 , to convey processing fluid for discharge by or near the electrodes 66 .
- the other fitting 60 connects to the aspirating apparatus 58 , to convey aspirated material from or near from the distal end 44 of the barrel 42 for discharge.
- the system 34 also includes a controller 64 .
- the controller 64 which preferably includes a central processing unit (CPU), is linked to the generator 50 , the fluid delivery apparatus 56 , and the aspirating apparatus 58 .
- the aspirating apparatus 58 can comprise a conventional vacuum source typically present in a physician's suite, which operates continuously, independent of the controller 64 .
- the controller 64 governs the power levels, cycles, and duration that the radio frequency energy is distributed to the electrodes 66 , to achieve and maintain power levels appropriate to achieve the desired treatment objectives. In tandem, the controller 64 also governs the delivery of processing fluid and, if desired, the removal of aspirated material.
- the controller 64 includes an input/output (I/O) device 72 .
- the I/O device 72 allows the physician to input control and processing variables, to enable the controller to generate appropriate command signals.
- the I/O device 72 also receives real time processing feedback information from one or more sensors associated with the operative element (as will be described later), for processing by the controller 64 , e.g., to govern the application of energy and the delivery of processing fluid.
- the I/O device 72 can also include a graphical user interface (GUI), to graphically present processing information to the physician for viewing or analysis.
- GUI graphical user interface
- each electrode 66 is biased with a bend. Movement of the electrode 66 into the barrel 42 overcomes the bias and straightens the electrode 66 .
- each electrode 66 is normally biased with an antegrade bend (i.e., bending toward the proximal base of the barrel 42 )
- each electrode 66 can be normally biased toward an opposite retrograde bend (i.e., bending toward the introducer 46 ).
- an electrical insulating material 70 is coated about the proximal end of each electrode 66 .
- the length of the material 70 ranges from about 80 to about 120 mm.
- the insulating material 70 can comprise, e.g., a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) material, or a polyimide or polyamide material.
- PET Polyethylene Terephthalate
- each electrode 66 preferably presents an exposed, non-insulated conductive length of about 8 mm, providing an exposed surface area at the distal end of each electrode 66 of preferably about 16 mm2.
- the distal end of the electrode 66 transmits radio frequency energy.
- the material 70 insulates the mucosal surface 76 of the rectum 10 from direct exposure to the radio frequency energy. Thermal damage to the mucosal surface 76 is thereby avoided.
- the mucosal surface 76 can also be actively cooled during application of radio frequency energy, to further protect it from thermal damage.
- the surface area of the exposed region on the electrodes 66 affects the impedance of the electrodes 66 during use. Generally speaking, the larger the surface area of the exposed region is, the lower the expected impedance value is, leading to a fewer incidences of power shut-offs due to high impedance.
- the barrel 42 deploys four electrodes 66 , which are equally circumferentially spaced about the distal end 44 .
- the electrodes 66 are arranged so that one opposing pair of electrodes 66 are axially spaced from the other opposing pair of electrodes 66 by about 1 cm (see FIG. 5 ).
- Electrodes 66 can be present, and the geometric array of the electrodes 66 on the barrel 42 can vary.
- eight electrodes 66 can be circumferentially arranged about the distal end 44 , either in a single ring or in an axially spaced relationship, shown in FIG. 6C .
- the electrodes 66 form two rows, each with four circumferentially spaced electrodes, which are axially spaced apart by about 1 cm. This arrangement makes possible the simultaneous formation of two lesion rings, one above and one below the pectinate (dentate) line.
- the electrodes 66 may be arranged in an asymmetric fashion, for deployment in a posterior or lateral direction, or both, but not in an anterior direction. This is because the anterior border of the anal canal 20 is close to the urethra and, in the female, the lower end of the vagina.
- the controller 64 can condition the electrodes 66 to operate in a monopolar mode.
- each electrode 66 serves as a transmitter of energy
- an indifferent patch electrode (not shown) serves as a common return for all electrodes 66 .
- the controller 64 can condition selected pairs of electrodes 66 to operate in a bipolar mode.
- one of the electrodes comprises the transmitter and the other electrode comprises the return for the transmitted energy.
- the bipolar electrode pairs can comprise adjacent side-by-side pairs of electrodes 66 on the barrel 42 , or electrodes 66 spaced more widely apart on the barrel 42 .
- the barrel 42 carries at least one temperature sensor 80 in association with each electrode 66 .
- each electrode 66 carries a temperature sensor 80 to sense temperature conditions near the exposed distal end of the electrode 66 .
- the barrel 42 carries another temperature sensor 80 near the electrode 66 to sense tissue surface temperature conditions.
- One or more temperature sensors 80 can be located elsewhere, for example, in the insulation material 70 .
- the physician grasps the hand grip 40 and guides the introducer 46 and barrel 42 into the anal canal 20 through the anal orifice 16 .
- the electrodes 66 are maintained in their retracted position during this initial stage of deployment.
- the physician advances the introducer 46 and barrel 42 in the anal canal 20 to position the distal end 44 of the barrel 42 at a desired location above the pectinate (dentate) line 30 .
- the desired location is about 3 cm above the pectinate (dentate) line 30 .
- the physician seeks to treat the external sphincter muscle 26 the desired location is about 3.5 to 5 cm above the pectinate (dentate) line 30 . Either location provides sufficient spacing to avoid thermal damage to the anoderm and anal columns during treatment of the targeted sphincter muscle. Typically, however, the voluntary, external sphincter muscle 26 need not be targeted for treatment.
- the physician can remove the introducer 46 by pulling on the actuator 88 .
- the physician visualizes the pectinate (detente) line 30 by looking down through the barrel 42 .
- at least the distal end 44 of the barrel 42 is made of a transparent material or includes a visualization slot 86 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 ), to enable the physician to view tissue from within the barrel 42 .
- a fiberoptic 90 can also be inserted into the barrel 42 (see FIG. 5 ) to provide local illumination, or the physician can wear a headlamp for this purpose.
- the location of the electrodes 66 can also be marked on the inside of the barrel 42 to aid the physician in their alignment at the desired tissue location.
- the barrel 42 or introducer 46 can also carry an ultrasound transducer 74 adjacent the distal end 44 .
- the physician can then observe the anorectal echo as a real time image, as the distal end 44 is advanced into position.
- the real time image reflects the thickness of the mucosa and muscle wall.
- An ultrasonic probe can also be inserted before and after deployment of the device 36 .
- the ultrasonic probe assesses the targeted tissue morphology before insertion of the device 36 and images the lesion location and depth after removal of the device 36 .
- the physician pulls rearward on the lever to move the electrodes 66 into their extended position.
- the electrodes 66 pierce and pass through the mucosal tissue into the muscle tissue of the target sphincter muscle.
- the electrodes 66 penetrate the involuntary, internal sphincter muscle 22 .
- the physician commands the controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through the electrodes 66 .
- the energy can be applied simultaneously by all pairs of electrodes 66 , or in any desired sequence.
- the energy ohmically heats the muscle tissue.
- the controller 64 samples temperatures sensed by the sensors 80 to control the application of energy.
- the controller 64 processes the sensed temperatures in a feedback loop to control the application of energy.
- the GUI can also display the sensed temperatures and the applied energy levels. Alternatively, the physician can manually control the energy levels based upon the temperature conditions displayed on the GUI. Changes in the anorectal echo as the procedure progresses also allows the physician to visualize lesion formation on a real time basis.
- energy is applied to achieve tissue temperatures in the targeted muscle tissue in the range of 55° C. to 95° C.
- lesions can typically be created at depths ranging from one to four millimeters below the mucosal surface 76 .
- Typical energies range, e.g., between 100 and 1000 joules per electrode 66 .
- the lesions possess sufficient volume to evoke tissue healing processes accompanied by intervention of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, macrophages, and other cells.
- the healing processes results in a contraction of tissue about the lesion, to decrease its volume or otherwise alter its biomechanical properties.
- the healing processes naturally tighten the muscle tissue in the sphincter muscle.
- the barrel 42 includes one or more lumens 98 (see FIG. 5 ).
- the fluid delivery apparatus 56 conveys processing fluid F through the lumen 98 for discharge at the treatment site.
- the processing fluid F can comprise, e.g., saline or sterile water, to cool the mucosal surface 76 while energy is being applied by the electrode 66 to ohmically heat muscle beneath the surface.
- the aspirating apparatus 58 draws aspirated material and the processing fluid through another lumen 102 in the barrel 42 for discharge. This arrangement provides self-contained aspiration for the treatment device 36 .
- the barrel 42 includes a radially enlarged flange or ring 106 , which has a greater outside diameter than the remainder of the barrel 42 .
- the ring 106 includes a series of circumferentially spaced guide bores 108 , through which the electrodes 66 pass for deployment.
- the guide bores 108 deploy the electrodes 66 in a generally straight orientation.
- the push-pull control lever 68 extends the electrodes 66 (as shown in FIG. 8 ) and retracts the electrodes 66 (as shown in FIG. 7 )
- the electrodes 66 move in a path that is generally parallel to the axis of the barrel 42 .
- the physician guides the introducer 46 and barrel 42 into the anal canal 20 through the anal orifice 16 , as before explained, while the electrodes 66 are maintained in their retracted position.
- the barrel 42 can include malleable sections 104 to allow the distal end 44 of the barrel 42 to be bent relative to the hand grip 40 , either left or right, or up and down, or both, thereby aiding manipulation.
- the physician can visualize the pectinate (dentate) line through the barrel 42 , using, e.g., fiber optic 90 , as also before explained.
- An ultrasound transmitter 74 on the barrel 42 can also be provided.
- the barrel 42 enters the anal canal 20 for several centimeters, until the flange 106 contacts exterior tissue surrounding the anal orifice 16 , as FIG. 9A shows.
- the guide bores 108 become aligned in facing contact with the exterior tissue along the axis of the anal canal 20 .
- the radially enlarged flange 106 also places the guide bores in axial alignment with the interior sphincter muscle 22 .
- either sphincter muscle 22 or 26 or both sphincter muscles 22 and 26 can be placed in axial alignment with the guide bores 108 .
- the flange 106 can be sized to pass through the anal canal 20 into the rectum.
- the mucosal surface tissue 76 conforms about the radially enlarged diameter of the flange 106 .
- the guide bores 108 become aligned in facing contact with the mucosal tissue 76 along the axis of the anal canal 20 .
- the radially enlarged flange also places the guide bores in axial alignment with the subsurface sphincter muscles 22 and 26 .
- either sphincter muscle 22 or 26 or both sphincter muscles 22 and 26 can be placed in axial alignment with the guide bores 108 .
- the physician pulls rearward on the lever 68 to move the electrodes 66 into their extended position.
- the electrodes 66 travel longitudinally in an axial path aligned with axis of the anal canal 20 .
- the straight electrodes 66 have distal sharpness and strength to penetrate a desired depth into one or both sphincter muscles 22 and 26 .
- an electrical insulating material 70 is coated about the proximal end of each electrode 66 to protect against damage to intermediate tissue 76 .
- FIGS. 9A and 9B show the exposed tips of the electrodes 66 contacting the internal sphincter muscle 22 , as the external sphincter muscle 26 is typically not targeted for treatment. With the lever 68 , however, the physician can control the depth of penetration to contact only the internal sphincter muscle 22 or just the external sphincter muscle 26 .
- the physician commands the controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through the electrodes 66 .
- the barrel 42 also preferably carries two temperature sensors 80 , one to sense temperature conditions near the exposed distal end of the electrode 66 , and the other to sense tissue surface temperature conditions.
- the controller 64 uses the sensed temperatures to control the application of radio frequency energy, as already described.
- the flange 106 can also includes one or more lumens 98 , situated close to each electrode 66 .
- the fluid delivery apparatus 56 sprays processing fluid F through the lumen 98 , to cool the tissue surface while energy is being applied by the electrode 66 to ohmically heat muscle beneath the surface.
- An aspiration lumen 102 coupled to the aspiration apparatus 58 , removes fluid from the treatment site.
- FIGS. 18 and 19 show another hand manipulated device 202 for treating fecal incontinence.
- the device 202 includes a hand grip 204 made, e.g., from molded plastic.
- the hand grip 204 is sized to be conveniently grasped in the hand of a physician (as FIG. 19 shows).
- the hand grip 204 carries a hollow, tubular barrel 206 , which projects outward from the grip 204 .
- the barrel 206 terminates with a blunt, rounded distal end 208 .
- the rounded distal end 208 is configured to aid passage of the barrel 206 through the anal canal, without need for a separate introducer.
- the barrel wall 210 is preferably made from a transparent, molded plastic material.
- the hand grip 204 includes a viewing port 212 for looking into the hollow interior of the barrel 206 . Looking through the view port 212 (see FIG. 25 ), the physician can visualize surrounding tissue through the transparent wall 210 of the barrel 206 .
- An electrode carrier 214 is mounted on the barrel wall 210 in the interior of the barrel 206 .
- An array of needle electrodes 216 are movably contained in the carrier 214 .
- the needle electrodes 216 are carried in the carrier 214 in a side-by-side relationship along an arcuate segment of the barrel 206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the needle electrodes 216 occupy an arc of about 67.5 degrees on the barrel 206 .
- the carrier 214 is mounted in the lower portion of the tubular barrel 206 .
- the needle electrodes 216 face downward, i.e., toward the ground.
- other orientations of the electrodes 216 in the barrel 206 are possible.
- the needle electrodes 216 are mechanically linked to a finger-operated pull lever 218 on the hand grip 204 .
- the pull lever 218 By operation of the pull lever 218 , the distal ends of the needle electrodes 216 are moved between a retracted position within the carrier 214 ( FIG. 18 ) and an extended position outside the carrier 214 ( FIG. 19 ). In the extended position, the distal ends of the needle electrodes 216 project outwardly through slots 220 formed in the barrel wall 210 .
- the needle electrodes 216 can be linked in various ways to the pull lever 218 .
- the proximal ends of the needle electrodes 216 are coupled to an annular shuttle element 222 , which slides in a channel 224 in the viewing port 212 .
- the center of the annular shuttle element 222 is open, so that visualization into the interior of the barrel 206 through the viewing port 212 is not obstructed.
- the annular shuttle element 222 is coupled by a pivot link 226 to the pull lever 218 .
- a spring 228 normally biases the pull lever 218 toward a neutral position (see FIG. 20 ).
- the pivot link 226 pulls the shuttle element 222 toward the rear of the channel 224 (i.e., away from the barrel 206 ).
- the distal ends of the needle electrodes 216 are withdrawn within the carrier 214 .
- the spring 228 in the hand grip 204 thereby normally biases the needle electrodes 216 toward their retracted position (as FIG. 20 shows).
- FIG. 21 shows, depressing the pull lever 218 against the force of the spring 228 pivots the link 226 to push the shuttle element 222 toward the front of the channel 224 (i.e., toward the barrel 206 ).
- the forward travel of the shuttle element 222 advances the needle electrodes 216 within the carrier 214 , to cause the distal ends of the needle electrodes 216 to move into their extended positions through the barrel slots 220 (as FIG. 21 shows).
- a locking pawl 230 in the hand grip 204 is biased by a spring 232 to swing into an detent 234 in the pull lever 218 as the pull lever 218 is depressed.
- the spring-biased engagement of the pawl 230 within the detent 234 resists movement of the pull lever 218 out of the depressed position, thereby locking the needle electrodes 216 in their extended position.
- the locking pawl 230 includes a release button 236 , which projects outside the back of hand grip 204 (i.e., on the side opposite to the pull lever 218 ). Thumb pressure on the button 236 overcomes the biasing force of the spring 232 and frees the pawl 230 from the detent 234 .
- the counter force of the spring 228 serves to urge the pull lever 218 toward the neutral position, thereby moving the needle electrodes 216 back to their normally retracted positions. There is therefore a spring-assisted return of the needle electrodes 216 into their normally retracted position.
- the carrier 214 comprises a molded plastic part with a preformed pattern of recesses forming channels, reservoirs, and mounts.
- the recesses form four electrode guide channels 238 in which the needle electrodes 216 slide.
- the channels 238 guide the sliding movement of the needle electrodes 216 , which is occasioned by operation of the pull lever 218 , as just described.
- the distal ends of the needle electrodes 216 project beyond the guide channels 238 into other enlarged recesses, which form reservoirs 240 .
- there are two reservoirs 240 each accommodating the distal ends of two needle electrodes 216 .
- a single continuous reservoir spanning across the carrier 214 could also be employed.
- the carrier 214 can be mounted to the interior of the barrel 206 using, e.g., adhesive contained in cavities 242 , or fasteners fitted within the cavities 242 , or snap-fit or heat-staked posts fitted within the cavities 242 . Once the carrier 214 is mounted, the reservoirs 240 register with the barrel slots 220 , through which the distal ends of the needle electrodes 216 project when extended.
- the distal ends of the needle electrodes 216 are normally biased with an antegrade bend, as previously described in connection with the FIG. 5 embodiment. Also as previously described, an electrical insulating material 244 is coated about the needle electrodes 216 (see FIG. 22 ), except for a prescribed region of the distal ends, where radio frequency energy is applied to tissue.
- electrode shields 246 overlay the reservoirs 240 .
- the electrode shields 246 comprise a region of penetrable material, through which the electrodes can be advanced and retracted.
- the electrode shield material can include a closed cell structured material including semi-rigid foam insulation material, e.g., styrofoam material, polyethylene or urethane foam, neoprene, cork, rubber, soft plastic, or any number of comparable materials.
- the needle electrodes 216 can pass through formed apertures in the shields 246 .
- Another recess in the carrier 214 forms a utility channel 248 , which extends between the reservoirs 240 generally in the middle of the carrier 214 .
- the channel 248 at its distal end, communicates with branch manifolds 250 that extend into the reservoirs 240 .
- the channel carries tubing 252 , the distal end of which terminates adjacent to the branch manifolds 250 .
- the proximal end of the tubing 252 extends from the proximal end of the carrier 214 , through the hand grip 204 (see FIG. 20 ), and is coupled to an exposed fitting 254 on the grip 204 .
- the fitting 254 is intended to be coupled to the fluid delivery apparatus 56 (see FIG. 2 ).
- the apparatus 56 conveys a cooling liquid through the tubing 252 , which is transferred by the manifold branches 250 into each reservoir 240 .
- the electrode-penetrable material of the shields 246 can also be selected to be permeable to or to otherwise retain the cooling fluid introduced into the reservoirs 240 .
- the shield material can comprise an open cell material, such as open celled foam or another sponge-like, liquid retaining material.
- cooling fluid conducted into each reservoir 240 permeates through the material of the overlaying electrode shield 246 to contact tissue.
- the liquid retaining material keeps cooling liquid in contact with mucosal tissue at a localized position surrounding the electrodes 216 .
- the material By absorbing and retaining the flow of cooling liquid, the material also minimizes the aspiration requirements.
- the presence of the material to absorb and retain cooling liquid also reduces the flow rate and volume of cooling liquid required to cool mucosal tissue, and could eliminate the need for aspiration altogether.
- separate ports for conducting cooling fluid can be provided in the electrode shields 246 .
- the utility channel 248 also carries another tubing 256 , through which fluid can be aspirated.
- the distal end of the tubing 256 extends beyond the channel 248 (see FIG. 23 ) and is coupled to an aspiration port 258 in the distal end 208 of the barrel 206 (see FIG. 18 ).
- the proximal end of the tubing 256 extends from the carrier 214 , through the hand grip 204 (see FIG. 20 ), and is coupled to an exposed fitting 260 on the grip 204 .
- the fitting 260 is intended to be coupled to the aspirating apparatus 58 (see FIG. 2 ).
- the distal end of the tubing 256 can terminate within the barrel 206 short of the port 258 .
- fluid that enters the barrel 206 through the port 258 is removed by aspiration through the tubing 256 .
- the utility channel 248 also carries cabling 262 that is coupled to temperature sensing devices 264 .
- the devices 264 are attached to mounts 266 formed on the carrier 214 , arranged such that one temperature sensor 264 is associated with each needle electrode 216 .
- the sensors 264 sense tissue temperature conditions in the region adjacent to each needle electrode 216 .
- the proximal end of the cabling 262 extends from the carrier 214 , through the hand grip 204 (see FIG. 20 ), and is coupled to an exposed connector 268 on the grip 204 .
- Wires 270 (see FIG. 20 ) coupled to the needle electrodes 216 are also coupled to this connector 268 .
- the connector 268 is intended to be coupled to the generator 50 .
- the distal end of each needle electrode also carries a temperature sensor 272 (see FIG. 22 ). Wires for these temperature sensors are coupled to the connector 268 as well.
- the physician grasps the hand grip 204 and guides the barrel 206 into the anal canal 20 .
- the pull lever 218 is in the neutral position and not depressed, so the needle electrodes 216 occupy their normal retracted position (as FIG. 24 shows).
- the physician visualizes the pectinate (dentate) line 30 through the barrel 206 .
- the physician positions the distal ends of the needle electrodes 216 at a desired location above the pectinate (dentate) line 30 .
- a fiberoptic can also be inserted into the barrel 206 to provide local illumination, or the physician can wear a headlamp for this purpose.
- a light pipe 284 comprising a plastic acrylic rod is inserted into the barrel 206 and removably secured in a retainer clip 286 in the barrel 206 .
- the proximal end of the light pipe 284 is coupled via a cable (not shown) to an external high intensity light source (e.g., xenon).
- the location of the distal ends of needle electrodes 216 can also be marked by an opaque band 288 printed, scribed, or pasted on the inside of the barrel 206 .
- the band 288 visually aids the physician in aligning the electrodes 216 at the desired tissue location with respect to the dentate line 30 .
- the physician depresses the pull lever 218 (see FIG. 25 ).
- the needle electrodes 216 advance to and lock in their extended positions.
- the distal ends of the electrodes 216 pierce and pass through the mucosal tissue into the muscle tissue of the target sphincter muscle.
- FIG. 25 the distal end of the electrodes are shown penetrating the involuntary, internal sphincter muscle 22 .
- the physician commands the controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through the needle electrodes 216 .
- the energy can be applied simultaneously by all electrodes 216 , or in any desired sequence.
- the energy ohmically heats the muscle tissue.
- the controller 64 samples temperatures sensed by the sensors 264 and 272 to control the application of energy, to achieve tissue temperatures in the targeted muscle tissue in the range of 55° C. to 95° C.
- the fluid delivery apparatus 56 conveys cooling fluid into the reservoirs 240 for discharge at the treatment site, to cool the mucosal surface while energy is being applied by the needle electrodes 216 .
- the aspirating apparatus 58 draws aspirated material and the processing fluid through tubing 256 in the barrel 206 for discharge.
- the array of needle electrodes 216 creates a first pattern of multiple lesions 274 , as FIG. 28 shows.
- the physician actuates the button 236 to release the locking pawl 230 from the detent 234 (as previously described and shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 ).
- the pull lever 218 returns to the spring-biased neutral position, thereby moving the needle electrodes 216 back to their retracted positions.
- the physician rotates the barrel 206 a selected arcuate distance from its first position (see FIG. 26 ), maintaining the desired location above the pectinate (dentate) line 30 .
- the physician can rotate the barrel 206 by ninety degrees.
- a second lesion pattern 276 is created (see FIG. 28 ), circumferentially spaced ninety degrees from the first lesion pattern 274 .
- the physician repeats the above described sequence two additional times, rotating the barrel 206 at successive intervals, e.g., ninety degrees each.
- Third and fourth lesion patterns 278 and 280 are thereby created (see FIG. 28 ), each circumferentially spaced apart by ninety degree intervals.
- This protocol forms a composite lesion pattern 282 (see FIG. 28 ), which provides a density of lesions in the targeted sphincter tissue region to provoke a desired contraction of the sphincter tissue.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment for a treatment device 110 .
- the treatment device 110 comprises two component parts: a blunt tip introducer 112 and an electrode carrier 114 .
- the introducer 112 is sized for insertion into the anal canal 20 through the anal orifice 16 , like the introducer 46 described in the preceding embodiments.
- the electrode carrier 114 includes an interior bore 116 that is sized to enable the carrier 114 to be advanced over the introducer 112 into the anal canal 20 .
- the carrier 114 is preferably made of a material to enable the physician to visualize the location of the pectinate (dentate) line 30 , e.g., by direct visualization through the carrier 114 .
- the carrier 114 can be made from a transparent material, e.g., clear plastic, for this purpose. Alternatively, the carrier 114 can include slots, which open a viewing field.
- the carrier 114 carries an array of electrodes 66 , as previously described, which can either be bent (as FIG. 10 shows) or straight (as FIG. 11 shows). An actuator 118 on the carrier 114 moves the electrodes 66 between retracted and extended positions, as also previously described.
- the physician manipulates the introducer 112 to guide it into the anal canal 20 through the anal orifice 16 .
- the physician advances the electrode carrier 114 over the introducer 112 , until its distal end 120 is aligned at the targeted site.
- the physician removes the introducer 112 and operates the actuator 118 to move the electrodes 66 into their extended position.
- the electrodes 66 pierce and pass through the mucosal tissue 76 into the muscle tissue of the target sphincter muscle, as previously described.
- the physician commands the controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through the electrodes 66 , to ohmically heat the muscle tissue.
- the electrodes 66 carry insulation material 70 about their proximal ends to prevent surface mucosal damage while subsurface ohmic heating occurs.
- the electrodes 66 can carry temperature sensors 80 , by which the controller 64 samples temperatures to control the application of energy. Cooling fluid can also be conveyed through lumen the electrode carrier 114 , as also previously described.
- FIGS. 13 and 14 show another alternative embodiment for a treatment device 126 .
- the device 126 includes a handle 128 made, e.g., from molded plastic.
- the handle 128 carries a flexible catheter tube 130 .
- the catheter tube 130 can be constructed, for example, using standard flexible, medical grade plastic materials, like vinyl, nylon, poly(ethylene), ionomer, poly(urethane), poly(amide), and poly(ethylene terephthalate).
- the handle 128 is sized to be conveniently held by a physician, to introduce the catheter tube 130 into the anal canal 20 .
- the handle 128 and the catheter tube 130 can form an integrated construction intended for a single use and subsequent disposal as a unit.
- the handle 128 can comprise a nondisposable component intended for multiple uses.
- the catheter tube 130 , and components carried at the end of the catheter tube 130 (as will be described), comprise a disposable assembly, which the physician releasably connects to the handle 128 at time of use and disconnects and discards after use.
- the catheter tube 130 can, for example, include a male plug connector that couples to a female plug receptacle on the handle 128 .
- the catheter tube 130 has a distal end 134 , which carries a three-dimensional basket 156 .
- the basket 156 includes one or more spines 158 (see FIGS. 15 and 16 ), and typically includes from four to eight spines 158 , which are assembled together by a distal hub 160 and a proximal base 162 .
- FIG. 15 shows a typical basket comprising four spines 158 .
- FIG. 16 shows a typical basket comprising eight spines 158 .
- the distal hub 160 presents a blunt distal surface.
- the hub 160 thereby serves as an introducer, to aid passage of the device 126 through the anal canal.
- Each spine 158 preferably comprises a flexible tubular body made, e.g. from molded plastic, stainless steel, or nickel titanium alloy.
- the cross sectional shape of the spines 158 can vary, possessing, e.g., a circular, elliptical, square, or rectilinear shape.
- an expandable structure 172 comprising a balloon is located within the basket 156 .
- the balloon structure 172 can be made, e.g., from a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) material, or a polyamide (non-compliant) material, or a radiation cross-linked polyethylene (semi-compliant) material, or a latex material, or a silicone material, or a C-Flex (highly compliant) material.
- PET Polyethylene Terephthalate
- Non-compliant materials offer the advantages of a predictable size and pressure feedback when inflated in contact with tissue.
- Compliant materials offer the advantages of variable sizes and shape conformance to adjacent tissue geometries.
- the balloon structure 172 presents a normally, generally collapsed condition, as FIG. 13 shows. In this condition, the basket 156 is also normally collapsed about the balloon structure 172 , presenting a low profile for deployment through the anal canal 20 .
- the catheter tube 130 includes an interior lumen, which communicates with the interior of the balloon structure 172 .
- a fitting 176 e.g., a syringe-activated check valve
- the fitting 176 communicates with the lumen.
- the fitting 176 couples the lumen to a syringe 178 (see FIG. 14 ).
- the syringe 178 injects fluid under pressure through the lumen into the balloon structure 172 , causing its expansion.
- Expansion of the balloon structure 172 urges the basket 156 to open and expand (as FIGS. 14 to 16 show).
- the force exerted by the balloon structure 172 when expanded, is sufficient to exert force upon the tissue surrounding the basket 156 .
- each spine 158 carries an electrode 166 .
- Each electrode 166 is carried within the tubular spine 158 for sliding movement.
- Each electrode 166 slides from a retracted position, withdrawn in the spine 158 (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 ), and an extended position, extending outward from the spine 158 (shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 ) through a hole in the spine 158 .
- a push-pull lever 168 on the handle 128 is coupled by one or more interior wires to the sliding electrodes 166 .
- the lever 168 controls movement electrodes between the retracted position (by pulling rearward on the lever 168 ) and the extended position (by pushing forward on the lever 168 ).
- the electrodes 166 can be formed from various energy transmitting materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrodes 166 are formed from nickel titanium. The electrodes 166 can also be formed from stainless steel, e.g., 304 stainless steel, or a combination of nickel titanium and stainless steel. The electrodes 166 have sufficient distal sharpness and strength to penetrate a desired depth into targeted muscle tissue in the rectum.
- each electrode 166 is preferably biased with a bend. Movement of the electrode 166 into the spine 158 overcomes the bias and straightens the electrode 166 .
- each electrode 166 is normally biased with an antegrade bend (i.e., bending toward the proximal base 162 of the basket 156 ).
- each electrode 166 can be normally biased toward an opposite retrograde bend (i.e., bending toward the distal hub 160 of the basket 158 ).
- an electrical insulating material 170 is coated about the proximal end of each electrode 166 , as described in the preceding embodiments.
- the material 170 insulates the mucosal surface of the rectum from direct exposure to the radio frequency energy. Thermal damage to the mucosal surface is thereby avoided.
- the mucosal surface can also be actively cooled through holes in the spines 158 during application of radio frequency energy, to further protect the mucosal surface from thermal damage.
- spines 158 and/or electrodes 166 can be present, and the geometric array of the spines 158 and electrodes 166 can vary.
- two temperature sensors 180 are provided, one to sense temperature conditions near the exposed distal end of the electrode 166 , and the other to sense temperature conditions in the insulated material 170 .
- the second temperature sensor 180 is located on the corresponding spine 158 , which rests against the muscosal surface when the balloon structure 172 is inflated.
- the physician manipulates an anuscope 200 into the anal canal 20 through the anal orifice 16 .
- the physician advances the catheter tube 130 and basket 156 through the anuscope 200 , with the basket 156 in its collapsed condition.
- the physician visualizes the location of the basket 156 through the anuscope, to place the basket 156 at the targeted site.
- Ultrasonic visualization can also be employed, as previously described.
- the physician places the basket 156 in its expanded condition and moves the electrodes 166 into their extended position.
- the electrodes 166 pierce and pass through the mucosal tissue 76 into the targeted muscle tissue, as FIG. 17 shows and as previously described.
- the physician commands the controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through the electrodes 166 , to ohmically heat the muscle tissue.
- the controller 64 can condition the electrodes 166 to operate in a monopolar mode. In this arrangement, each electrode 166 serves as a transmitter of energy, and an indifferent patch electrode (not shown) serves as a common return for all electrodes 166 .
- the controller 64 can condition selected pairs of electrodes 166 to operate in a bipolar mode. In this mode, one of the electrodes 166 comprises the transmitter and another electrode comprises the return for the transmitted energy.
- the bipolar electrode pairs can comprise electrodes 166 on adjacent spines 138 , or electrodes 166 spaced more widely apart on the basket 158 .
- the controller 64 samples temperatures, using the sensors 180 , to control the application of energy. Cooling fluid can also be conveyed through the spines 158 , to further control mucosal tissue temperature, as ohmic heating of the targeted underlying muscle tissue occurs.
- the physician retracts the electrodes 166 and collapses the basket 156 .
- the catheter tube 130 and basket 156 are withdrawn through the anuscope 200 .
- the various treatment devices disclosed in this Specification can be supplied to a physician as part of a sterile kit.
- the kit packages the particular treatment device as a single use item in a sterile fashion within peripherally sealed sheets of plastic film material that are torn or peeled away at the instance of use.
- the kit can include, together with the particular treatment device or separately supplied, instructions for using the device according to one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/055,077, filed Oct. 16, 2013, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/799,169, filed Apr. 20, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,597,290, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/446,771, filed Jun. 5, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,699,844, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/674,242, filed Sep. 29, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,056,320, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/556,169, filed Apr. 21, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,645,201, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/143,749, filed Jul. 14, 1999, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Treating Dysfunctions in the Intestines and Rectum,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
- In a general sense, the invention is directed to systems and methods for treating interior tissue regions of the body. More specifically, the invention is directed to systems and methods for treating dysfunction in the intestines and rectum.
- The gastrointestinal tract, also called the alimentary canal, is a long tube through which food is taken into the body and digested. The alimentary canal begins at the mouth, and includes the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and rectum. In human beings, this passage is about 30 feet (9 meters) long.
- Small, ring-like muscles, called sphincters, surround portions of the alimentary canal. In a healthy person, these muscles contract or tighten in a coordinated fashion during eating and the ensuing digestive process, to temporarily close off one region of the alimentary canal from another region of the alimentary canal.
- In the rectum, two muscular rings, called the internal and external sphincter muscles, normally keep fecal material from leaving the anal canal. The external sphincter muscle is a voluntary muscle, and the internal sphincter muscle is an involuntary muscle. Together, by voluntary and involuntary action, these muscles normally contract to keep fecal material in the anal canal.
- The rectum can stretch and hold fecal material for some time after a person becomes aware that the material is there. The holding action of these sphincter muscles is critical in maintaining fecal continence.
- Damage to the external or internal sphincter muscles can cause these sphincters to dysfunction or otherwise lose their tone, such that they can no longer sustain the essential fecal holding action. Fecal incontinence results, as fecal material can descend through the anal canal without warning, stimulating the sudden urge to defecate.
- The recurring sensation of uncontrolled fecal urgency alone can produce significant, negative impact on lifestyle. The physical effects of fecal incontinence (i.e., the loss of normal control of the bowels and gas, liquid, and solid stool leakage from the rectum at unexpected times) can also cause embarrassment, shame, and a loss of confidence, and can further lead to mental depression.
- Fecal incontinence affects as many as one million Americans. It is more common in women and in the elderly of both sexes. Many people with fecal incontinence are ashamed to talk about their problem with their doctor or family.
- In women, damage to the external or internal sphincter muscle can occur during childbirth. It is especially likely to happen in a difficult delivery that uses forceps and/or an episiotomy. Muscle damage can also occur as a result of trauma, or during rectal surgery. It may also occur in people with inflammatory bowel disease or an abscess in the perirectal area.
- Young people suffering damage to these sphincters in the rectum can often compensate for the muscle weakness to avoid incontinence. However, they typically develop incontinence in later life, as their muscles grow weaker and the supporting structures in the pelvis become loose.
- There are non-surgical ways to treat fecal incontinence. For example, dietary bulking agents or other antimotility agents (like fats) can be used to change the texture of fecal material, to slow its descent through the rectum. Biofeedback therapy has met with success. Still, this therapy is time consuming and works to overcome dysfunction only of the voluntary external sphincter muscle. Biofeedback therapy is not effective in overcoming dysfunction of the involuntary internal sphincter muscle.
- There are also various surgical options for treating fecal incontinence. These surgical options include, for example, Parks post-anal repair, encirclement (using Tiersch wire or gracilis muscle), overlapping sphincteroplasty and levatoroplasty, gluteus muscle transposition, colostomy, gracilis muscle stimulated neosphinter, and artificial bowel sphincters.
- Other abnormal, uncomfortable or debilitating conditions can occur in the rectum and adjoining intestines, which require treatment or surgical intervention. For example, cancer often arises in polyps, small noncancerous growths in the intestine. A tendency to develop polyps is probably influenced by genes. Regardless, it is a common practice to remove polyps, when discovered.
- Many people also suffer hemorrhoids, or piles. Hemorrhoids are enlargements of the veins of the rectum. Many people seem to inherit a tendency toward developing hemorrhoids. However, any condition that causes prolonged or repeated increases in the blood pressure in the rectal veins may contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. Such conditions include constipation, pregnancy, and long periods of standing. Hemorrhoids can be internal (protruding through the anal sphincter) or external (covered with skin outside the sphincter). Hemorrhoids of the external veins usually cause little discomfort, unless a blood clot forms in the affected vein and results in inflammation. Hemorrhoids of the internal veins may bleed or descend through the anus as a result of bowel movements. Such hemorrhoids may cause pain or itching. Mild cases can be treated with medicated ointments or suppositories (inserted capsules), or by soaking in warm water. If the victim repeatedly suffers painful attacks or bleeding, a physician may remove the hemorrhoids surgically. However, surgery for hemorrhoids can itself damage the external or internal sphincter muscle and lead to fecal incontinence.
- The invention provides a method for treating fecal incontinence. The method inserts a transparent structure into an anal cavity. The method visualizes from outside the anal cavity a dentate line within the anal canal through the transparent structure. While visualizing the dentate line, the method advances at least one electrode into tissue at or near an anal sphincter above the dentate line. The method applies energy through the electrode to create a lesion in the sphincter. The method conveys fluid into contact with the tissue to cool the tissue while applying energy to the electrode.
- Features and advantages of the inventions are set forth in the following Description and Drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is an anatomic view of the rectum and anal canal. -
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a system for treating sphincters and adjoining tissue regions in the rectum and anal canal; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a treatment device usable in association with the system shown inFIG. 2 , with the energy application electrodes withdrawn for deployment; -
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the treatment device shown inFIG. 3 , with the energy application electrodes extended for use; -
FIG. 5 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 with the energy application electrodes extended into the internal sphincter muscle; -
FIG. 6A is a top view of the barrel of the treatment device shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 , showing a symmetrical, circumferentially spaced array of four energy application electrodes; -
FIG. 6B is a top view of the barrel of the treatment device shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 , showing a symmetrical, circumferentially spaced array of eight energy application electrodes; -
FIG. 6C is a side view of the barrel of the treatment device shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 , showing a symmetrical, circumferentially spaced array of eight energy application electrodes in two axially spaced apart rings; -
FIG. 6D is a top view of the barrel of the treatment device shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 , showing an asymmetrical, circumferentially spaced array of five energy application electrodes; -
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another treatment device usable in association with the system shown inFIG. 2 , with straight energy application electrodes withdrawn for deployment; -
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the treatment device shown inFIG. 7 , with the straight energy application electrodes extended for use; -
FIG. 9A is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown inFIGS. 7 and 8 with the energy application electrodes extended into the internal sphincter muscle from outside the anal canal; -
FIG. 9B is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown inFIGS. 7 and 8 with the energy application electrodes extended into the internal sphincter muscle from inside the anal canal; -
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a two part treatment device usable in association with the system shown inFIG. 2 , with energy application electrodes extended for use in a radial direction; -
FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a two part treatment device usable in association with the system shown inFIG. 2 , with straight energy application electrodes extended for use in an axial direction; -
FIG. 12 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown inFIG. 10 , with the energy application electrodes extended radially into the internal sphincter muscle; -
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another treatment device usable in association with the system shown inFIG. 2 , with an expandable structure that carries energy application electrodes for deployment, the structure being shown in a collapsed condition; -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the treatment device shown inFIG. 13 , with the structure expanded; -
FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of an expandable structure carrying four electrodes, which is useable in association with the treatment device shown inFIG. 13 , showing the structure expanded and the four electrodes extended for use; -
FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of an expandable structure carrying eight electrodes, which is useable in association with the treatment device shown inFIG. 13 , showing the structure expanded and the eight electrodes extended for use; -
FIG. 17 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown inFIGS. 13 and 14 , with the expandable structure expanded and the energy application electrodes extended radially into the internal sphincter muscle; -
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a hand manipulated device with a tubular barrel for deploying an array of needle electrodes in the anal cavity, the needle electrodes being shown in a retracted position; -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the hand manipulated device shown inFIG. 18 , with the array of needle electrodes shown in their extended position; -
FIG. 20 is a side section view of the device shown inFIG. 18 , showing the mechanism for deploying the array of needle electrodes, the needle electrodes being shown in their retracted position; -
FIG. 21 is a side section view of the device shown inFIG. 18 , showing the mechanism for deploying the array of needle electrodes, the needle electrodes being shown in their extended position; -
FIG. 22 is a perspective exploded view of the electrode-guiding carrier that is mounted in the tubular barrel of the device shown inFIG. 18 ; -
FIG. 23 is a perspective assembled view of the electrode-guiding carrier shown inFIG. 22 ; -
FIG. 24 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown inFIG. 18 inserted for positioning relative to the pectinate line with the needle electrodes in their retracted position; -
FIG. 25 is an anatomic view of the anal canal, with the treatment device shown inFIG. 18 inserted with the needle electrodes in their extended position inside the internal sphincter muscle; -
FIG. 26 is an anatomic view of the anal canal shown inFIGS. 24 and 25 , with the treatment device shown inFIG. 18 rotated to a new position and the needle electrodes in their retracted position; -
FIG. 27 is an anatomic view of the anal canal shown inFIG. 26 , with the treatment device shown inFIG. 18 rotated to the new position and the needle electrodes in their extended position inside the internal sphincter muscle; -
FIG. 28 is an anatomic view of a complex lesion pattern formed in the internal sphincter muscle by manipulating the device shown inFIG. 18 in the manner shown inFIGS. 24 to 27 ; and -
FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of hand manipulated device with a tubular barrel for deploying an array of needle electrodes in the anal cavity, the needle electrodes being shown in an extended position. - The invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims, rather than in the specific description preceding them. All embodiments that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.
- This Specification discloses various catheter-based systems and methods for treating dysfunction of sphincters and adjoining tissue regions in the body. The systems and methods are particularly well suited for treating these dysfunctions in the lower gastrointestinal tract, e.g., in the intestines, rectum and anal canal. For this reason, the systems and methods will be described in this context.
- Still, it should be appreciated that the disclosed systems and methods are applicable for use in treating other dysfunctions elsewhere in the body, e.g., for restoring compliance to or otherwise tightening interior tissue or muscle regions. The systems and methods that embody features of the invention are also adaptable for use with systems and surgical techniques that are not necessarily catheter-based.
- As
FIG. 1 shows, the rectum is the terminal part of thelarge intestine 12. Therectum 10 extends from the sigmoid flexure 14 (which is the narrowest part of the colon) to theanal orifice 16. Therectum 10 is about 15 to 17 cm in overall length. - The upper or superior portion of the
rectum 10 extends downward from thesigmoid flexure 14. This portion of therectum 10 is almost completely surrounded by the peritoneum. A mucous membrane lines this portion of therectum 10. The mucous membrane is thicker, of a darker color, and more vascular than elsewhere in the colon. - The superior portion of the
rectum 10 contains a number of permanent folds of a semilunar shape, which are called theHouston valves 18. AsFIG. 1 shows, there are usually threeHouston valves 18. Sometimes a fourth is present, and occasionally only two are found. - When the
rectum 10 is empty, theHouston valves 18 overlap each other. Thevalves 18 support the weight of fecal matter, to slow its descent toward theanal orifice 16. When the inferior or lower part of therectum 10 is contracted to expel fecal matter, a number of additional folds develop in the mucous membrane of the superior portion of therectum 10, to urge fecal matter downward. - The middle portion of the
rectum 10 is covered anteriorly and laterally by peritoneum as it extends from the superior portion. However, as therectum 10 extends further downward, the lateral peritoneum gradually recedes. - The lower or inferior portion of the
rectum 10 is called theanal canal 20. It typically extends about 4 to 5 cm above theanal orifice 16. Theanal canal 20 is invested by theinternal sphincter muscle 22, supported by theLevatores ani muscle 24, and surrounded at its termination by theexternal sphincter muscle 26. The fat of the ischio-rectal fossae 28 laterally surrounds theanal canal 20. - The
external sphincter muscle 26 is a thin flat plane of muscular fibers, measuring about 5 cm in length. It is always in a state of tonic contraction to keep theanal orifice 16 closed. In an empty condition, theanal canal 20 therefore has the appearance of a longitudinal slit. Theexternal sphincter muscle 26 can voluntarily be placed in a greater condition of contraction, to more firmly occlude theanal orifice 16. - The
internal sphincter muscle 22 is a muscular ring that surrounds the lower extremity of therectum 10 for about 2 cm. Its inferior border is contiguous with theexternal sphincter muscle 26. However, the functions of the twosphincter muscles external sphincter muscle 26, theinternal sphincter muscle 22 is an involuntary muscle. Together, the voluntaryexternal sphincter muscle 26 works with the involuntaryinternal sphincter muscle 22 to occlude theanal orifice 16. Theinternal sphincter muscle 22 contributes about 85% of the resting tone of theanal canal 20, to keep fecal material in therectum 10 until time of controlled expulsion. - The
levator ani muscle 24 is a broad, thin muscle situated on each side of the pelvis. This muscle supports the lower end of therectum 10 and bladder during the controlled efforts of expulsion. A pectinate (dentate)line 30 is defined about 2.5 to 3 cm above theanal orifice 16. The superior extent of theexternal sphincter muscle 26 extends about 5 cm above the pectinate (dentate)line 30. The superior extent of theinternal sphincter muscle 22 extends about 2 to 2.5 cm above the pectinate (dentate) line. - Sensitive mucosal tissue, called the anoderm, lines the
anal canal 20 below thepectinate line 30. Anoderm tissue is sensitive to contact with fecal material. When contacting anoderm tissue, the sensed presence of fecal material excites a sensation demanding discharge. - Mucosal tissue immediately above the
pectinate line 30, called the anal columns, is also sensitive to the presence of fecal material. The anal columns provide sensory information that discriminates among different types and textures of fecal material, thereby aiding in overall control of the discharge of fecal material. - Because of their important sensory functions, treatment of the
rectum 10 should guard against damage to the mucosal tissue below and above the pectinate (dentate)line 30. This sensitive mucosal tissue may be damaged, e.g., by exposure to abnormal heat, and typically do not regenerate after thermal injury. - In a person suffering from fecal incontinence, the
external sphincter muscle 26, or theinternal sphincter muscle 22, or both lose their tone. As a result, theanal orifice 16 is not occluded. Fecal material descends without control, to spontaneously excite the sensitive anoderm tissue to demand immediate discharge. - It should be noted that the views of the
rectum 10 andanal canal 20 shown inFIG. 1 , and elsewhere in the drawings, are not intended to be strictly accurate in an anatomic sense. The drawings show therectum 10 andanal canal 20 in somewhat diagrammatic form to demonstrate the features of the invention. -
FIG. 2 shows asystem 34 for treating dysfunction of theexternal sphincter muscle 26, orinternal sphincter muscle 22, or both. - A. Hand Gripped Treatment Device
- The
system 34 includes atreatment device 36. Thedevice 36 can be constructed in various ways. InFIG. 3 , thedevice 36 includes ahand piece 38 made, e.g., from molded plastic. Thehand piece 38 includes ahandle grip 40, which is sized to be conveniently held by a physician, in the same fashion as an anuscope. - The
hand piece 38 also includes abarrel 42 having adistal end 44. A bullet-shapedintroducer 46 extends a distance beyond thedistal end 44. Thebarrel 42 andintroducer 46 are sized (e.g., by having a maximum outside diameter of about 30 mm to 33 mm) for insertion into therectum 10 through theanal orifice 16. Theintroducer 46 aids passage through theanal canal 20. Theintroducer 46 can be mounted for movement within thebarrel 42 and coupled to a push-pull actuator 88. In this arrangement, theintroducer 42 can be removed from thebarrel 42 once thebarrel 42 has passed through theanal canal 20 and is deployed in therectum 10. - The
barrel 42 can includemalleable sections 104 to allow thedistal end 44 of thebarrel 42 to be bent relative to thehand grip 40, either left or right, or up and down, or both, thereby aiding manipulation. Further details of using thetreatment device 36 will be described later. - The
hand grip 40,barrel 42, andintroducer 46 can form an integrated construction intended for a single use and subsequent disposal as a unit. Alternatively, thehand grip 40 can comprise a nondisposable component intended for multiple uses. In this arrangement, thebarrel 42 andintroducer 46, along with other components carried by the barrel 42 (as will be described), comprise a disposable assembly, which the physician releasably connects to thehand grip 40 at time of use and disconnects and discards after use. The proximal end of thebarrel 42 can, for example, include a male plug connector that couples to a female plug receptacle on thehand grip 40. - The
barrel 42 carries an array ofenergy applicators 66 at itsdistal end 44. Theenergy applicators 66 slide throughopenings 48 in thebarrel 42 between a retracted position, withdrawn in the barrel 42 (shown inFIG. 3 ) and an extended position, extending outward from the barrel 42 (shown inFIG. 4 ). - A trigger or other push-
pull lever 68 on thehand grip 40 is coupled through thebarrel 42 to theenergy applicators 66. Thelever 68 controls movement of theenergy applicators 66 between the retracted position (by pushing forward on the lever 68) and the extended position (by pulling rearward on the lever 68). - The
applicators 66 apply energy in a selective fashion to a targeted sphincter region below mucosal tissue in therectum 10. The applied energy creates one or more lesions, or a prescribed pattern of lesions, below themucosal surface 76 of therectum 10. The submucosal lesions are formed in a manner that preserves and protects the exterior muscosal tissue against damage. - It has been discovered that natural healing of the subsurface lesions in the rectum can lead to a physical tightening of the external or
internal sphincter muscle muscles muscles - In this arrangement, the
system 34 includes agenerator 50 to supply the treatment energy. In the illustrated embodiment, thegenerator 50 supplies radio frequency energy, e.g., having a frequency in the range of about 400 kHz to about 10 mHz. In this arrangement, theenergy applicators 66 comprise radio frequency transmitting electrodes. - The
electrodes 66 can be formed from various energy transmitting materials. In the illustrated embodiment, for deployment in therectum 10 andanal canal 20, theelectrodes 66 are formed from nickel titanium. Theelectrodes 66 can also be formed from stainless steel, e.g., 304 stainless steel, or, a combination of nickel titanium and stainless steel. - In the illustrated embodiment, the electrodes have sufficient distal sharpness and strength to penetrate a desired depth into the internal and/or
external sphincter muscle 22 and/or 26. The desired depth can range from about 7 mm to about 8 mm from the inside wall of therectum 10. - Of course, other forms of energy can be applied, e.g., coherent or incoherent light; heated or cooled fluid; resistive heating; microwave; ultrasound; a tissue ablation fluid; or cryogenic fluid. The form and fit of the
energy applicators 66 will, of course, differ to accommodate application of other forms of energy. - B. Auxiliary System Components
- In the illustrated embodiment, a
cable 52 extending from the proximal end of thehand grip 40 terminates with anelectrical connector 54. Thecable 52 is electrically coupled to theelectrodes 66, e.g., by wires that extend through the interior of thehand grip 40 andbarrel 42. Theconnector 54 plugs into thegenerator 50, to convey the generated energy to theelectrodes 66. - The
system 34 also includes certain auxiliary processing equipment. In the illustrated embodiment, the processing equipment comprises an externalfluid delivery apparatus 56 and anexternal aspirating apparatus 58. - The
barrel 42 includes one or more interior lumens (not shown) that terminate infittings hand grip 40 orbarrel 42. Onefitting 62 connects to thefluid delivery apparatus 56, to convey processing fluid for discharge by or near theelectrodes 66. Theother fitting 60 connects to the aspiratingapparatus 58, to convey aspirated material from or near from thedistal end 44 of thebarrel 42 for discharge. - The
system 34 also includes acontroller 64. Thecontroller 64, which preferably includes a central processing unit (CPU), is linked to thegenerator 50, thefluid delivery apparatus 56, and the aspiratingapparatus 58. Alternatively, the aspiratingapparatus 58 can comprise a conventional vacuum source typically present in a physician's suite, which operates continuously, independent of thecontroller 64. - The
controller 64 governs the power levels, cycles, and duration that the radio frequency energy is distributed to theelectrodes 66, to achieve and maintain power levels appropriate to achieve the desired treatment objectives. In tandem, thecontroller 64 also governs the delivery of processing fluid and, if desired, the removal of aspirated material. - The
controller 64 includes an input/output (I/O)device 72. The I/O device 72 allows the physician to input control and processing variables, to enable the controller to generate appropriate command signals. The I/O device 72 also receives real time processing feedback information from one or more sensors associated with the operative element (as will be described later), for processing by thecontroller 64, e.g., to govern the application of energy and the delivery of processing fluid. The I/O device 72 can also include a graphical user interface (GUI), to graphically present processing information to the physician for viewing or analysis. - C. Deployment of the Electrodes
- (i) Biased, Bent Electrodes
- In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5 , to facilitate penetration and anchoring in therectum 10, eachelectrode 66 is biased with a bend. Movement of theelectrode 66 into thebarrel 42 overcomes the bias and straightens theelectrode 66. - In the illustrated embodiment, each
electrode 66 is normally biased with an antegrade bend (i.e., bending toward the proximal base of the barrel 42) Alternatively, eachelectrode 66 can be normally biased toward an opposite retrograde bend (i.e., bending toward the introducer 46). - As
FIG. 5 shows, an electrical insulatingmaterial 70 is coated about the proximal end of eachelectrode 66. For deployment in therectum 10, the length of the material 70 ranges from about 80 to about 120 mm. The insulatingmaterial 70 can comprise, e.g., a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) material, or a polyimide or polyamide material. For deployment in therectum 10, eachelectrode 66 preferably presents an exposed, non-insulated conductive length of about 8 mm, providing an exposed surface area at the distal end of eachelectrode 66 of preferably about 16 mm2. - When penetrating the internal or external sphincter muscles, the distal end of the
electrode 66 transmits radio frequency energy. Thematerial 70 insulates themucosal surface 76 of therectum 10 from direct exposure to the radio frequency energy. Thermal damage to themucosal surface 76 is thereby avoided. As will be described later, themucosal surface 76 can also be actively cooled during application of radio frequency energy, to further protect it from thermal damage. - The surface area of the exposed region on the
electrodes 66 affects the impedance of theelectrodes 66 during use. Generally speaking, the larger the surface area of the exposed region is, the lower the expected impedance value is, leading to a fewer incidences of power shut-offs due to high impedance. - In the illustrated embodiment (see
FIG. 6A ), thebarrel 42 deploys fourelectrodes 66, which are equally circumferentially spaced about thedistal end 44. Theelectrodes 66 are arranged so that one opposing pair ofelectrodes 66 are axially spaced from the other opposing pair ofelectrodes 66 by about 1 cm (seeFIG. 5 ). - Of course, a greater or lesser number of
electrodes 66 can be present, and the geometric array of theelectrodes 66 on thebarrel 42 can vary. For example (seeFIG. 6B ), eightelectrodes 66 can be circumferentially arranged about thedistal end 44, either in a single ring or in an axially spaced relationship, shown inFIG. 6C . InFIG. 6C theelectrodes 66 form two rows, each with four circumferentially spaced electrodes, which are axially spaced apart by about 1 cm. This arrangement makes possible the simultaneous formation of two lesion rings, one above and one below the pectinate (dentate) line. - As
FIG. 6D shows, theelectrodes 66 may be arranged in an asymmetric fashion, for deployment in a posterior or lateral direction, or both, but not in an anterior direction. This is because the anterior border of theanal canal 20 is close to the urethra and, in the female, the lower end of the vagina. - The
controller 64 can condition theelectrodes 66 to operate in a monopolar mode. In this arrangement, eachelectrode 66 serves as a transmitter of energy, and an indifferent patch electrode (not shown) serves as a common return for allelectrodes 66. - Alternatively, the
controller 64 can condition selected pairs ofelectrodes 66 to operate in a bipolar mode. In this mode, one of the electrodes comprises the transmitter and the other electrode comprises the return for the transmitted energy. The bipolar electrode pairs can comprise adjacent side-by-side pairs ofelectrodes 66 on thebarrel 42, orelectrodes 66 spaced more widely apart on thebarrel 42. - In the illustrated embodiment (see
FIG. 5 ), thebarrel 42 carries at least onetemperature sensor 80 in association with eachelectrode 66. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5 , eachelectrode 66 carries atemperature sensor 80 to sense temperature conditions near the exposed distal end of theelectrode 66. Thebarrel 42 carries anothertemperature sensor 80 near theelectrode 66 to sense tissue surface temperature conditions. One ormore temperature sensors 80 can be located elsewhere, for example, in theinsulation material 70. - In use, as the patient lies prone face down or on one side, the physician grasps the
hand grip 40 and guides theintroducer 46 andbarrel 42 into theanal canal 20 through theanal orifice 16. Theelectrodes 66 are maintained in their retracted position during this initial stage of deployment. - The physician advances the
introducer 46 andbarrel 42 in theanal canal 20 to position thedistal end 44 of thebarrel 42 at a desired location above the pectinate (dentate)line 30. If the physician seeks to treat the internal sphincter muscle 22 (asFIG. 5 shows), the desired location is about 3 cm above the pectinate (dentate)line 30. If the physician seeks to treat theexternal sphincter muscle 26, the desired location is about 3.5 to 5 cm above the pectinate (dentate)line 30. Either location provides sufficient spacing to avoid thermal damage to the anoderm and anal columns during treatment of the targeted sphincter muscle. Typically, however, the voluntary,external sphincter muscle 26 need not be targeted for treatment. - Once the
barrel 42 has passed into theanal canal 20, the physician can remove theintroducer 46 by pulling on theactuator 88. With theintroducer 46 removed, the physician visualizes the pectinate (detente)line 30 by looking down through thebarrel 42. In this arrangement, at least thedistal end 44 of thebarrel 42 is made of a transparent material or includes a visualization slot 86 (seeFIGS. 3 and 4 ), to enable the physician to view tissue from within thebarrel 42. A fiberoptic 90 can also be inserted into the barrel 42 (seeFIG. 5 ) to provide local illumination, or the physician can wear a headlamp for this purpose. The location of theelectrodes 66 can also be marked on the inside of thebarrel 42 to aid the physician in their alignment at the desired tissue location. - The
barrel 42 orintroducer 46 can also carry anultrasound transducer 74 adjacent thedistal end 44. The physician can then observe the anorectal echo as a real time image, as thedistal end 44 is advanced into position. The real time image reflects the thickness of the mucosa and muscle wall. - An ultrasonic probe can also be inserted before and after deployment of the
device 36. In this arrangement, the ultrasonic probe assesses the targeted tissue morphology before insertion of thedevice 36 and images the lesion location and depth after removal of thedevice 36. - Once the
distal end 44 is located at the targeted site, the physician pulls rearward on the lever to move theelectrodes 66 into their extended position. Theelectrodes 66 pierce and pass through the mucosal tissue into the muscle tissue of the target sphincter muscle. - Given the arrangement of
electrodes 66 shown inFIG. 6A , and with thedistal end 44 located as shown inFIG. 5 , theelectrodes 66 penetrate the involuntary,internal sphincter muscle 22. - The physician commands the
controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through theelectrodes 66. The energy can be applied simultaneously by all pairs ofelectrodes 66, or in any desired sequence. The energy ohmically heats the muscle tissue. Thecontroller 64 samples temperatures sensed by thesensors 80 to control the application of energy. Thecontroller 64 processes the sensed temperatures in a feedback loop to control the application of energy. The GUI can also display the sensed temperatures and the applied energy levels. Alternatively, the physician can manually control the energy levels based upon the temperature conditions displayed on the GUI. Changes in the anorectal echo as the procedure progresses also allows the physician to visualize lesion formation on a real time basis. - Preferably, energy is applied to achieve tissue temperatures in the targeted muscle tissue in the range of 55° C. to 95° C. In this way, lesions can typically be created at depths ranging from one to four millimeters below the
mucosal surface 76. Typical energies range, e.g., between 100 and 1000 joules perelectrode 66. - It is desirable that the lesions possess sufficient volume to evoke tissue healing processes accompanied by intervention of fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, macrophages, and other cells. The healing processes results in a contraction of tissue about the lesion, to decrease its volume or otherwise alter its biomechanical properties. The healing processes naturally tighten the muscle tissue in the sphincter muscle. To create greater lesion density in a given targeted tissue area, it is also desirable to create a pattern of multiple lesions, as the eight electrode pattern shown provides.
- In one embodiment, the
barrel 42 includes one or more lumens 98 (seeFIG. 5 ). Thefluid delivery apparatus 56 conveys processing fluid F through thelumen 98 for discharge at the treatment site. The processing fluid F can comprise, e.g., saline or sterile water, to cool themucosal surface 76 while energy is being applied by theelectrode 66 to ohmically heat muscle beneath the surface. - The aspirating
apparatus 58 draws aspirated material and the processing fluid through anotherlumen 102 in thebarrel 42 for discharge. This arrangement provides self-contained aspiration for thetreatment device 36. - (ii) Straight Electrodes
- In the embodiment shown in
FIGS. 7 and 8 , thebarrel 42 includes a radially enlarged flange orring 106, which has a greater outside diameter than the remainder of thebarrel 42. Thering 106 includes a series of circumferentially spaced guide bores 108, through which theelectrodes 66 pass for deployment. The guide bores 108 deploy theelectrodes 66 in a generally straight orientation. - The push-
pull control lever 68 extends the electrodes 66 (as shown inFIG. 8 ) and retracts the electrodes 66 (as shown inFIG. 7 ) Theelectrodes 66 move in a path that is generally parallel to the axis of thebarrel 42. - In use (see
FIG. 9 ), the physician guides theintroducer 46 andbarrel 42 into theanal canal 20 through theanal orifice 16, as before explained, while theelectrodes 66 are maintained in their retracted position. Thebarrel 42 can includemalleable sections 104 to allow thedistal end 44 of thebarrel 42 to be bent relative to thehand grip 40, either left or right, or up and down, or both, thereby aiding manipulation. - The physician can visualize the pectinate (dentate) line through the
barrel 42, using, e.g.,fiber optic 90, as also before explained. Anultrasound transmitter 74 on thebarrel 42 can also be provided. - The
barrel 42 enters theanal canal 20 for several centimeters, until theflange 106 contacts exterior tissue surrounding theanal orifice 16, asFIG. 9A shows. In this arrangement, the guide bores 108 become aligned in facing contact with the exterior tissue along the axis of theanal canal 20. The radially enlargedflange 106 also places the guide bores in axial alignment with theinterior sphincter muscle 22. Depending upon the axial distance between theflange 106 and the pectinate (dentate)line 30, eithersphincter muscle sphincter muscles - As
FIG. 9B shows, theflange 106 can be sized to pass through theanal canal 20 into the rectum. Themucosal surface tissue 76 conforms about the radially enlarged diameter of theflange 106. In this arrangement, the guide bores 108 become aligned in facing contact with themucosal tissue 76 along the axis of theanal canal 20. The radially enlarged flange also places the guide bores in axial alignment with thesubsurface sphincter muscles flange 106 and the pectinate (dentate)line 30, eithersphincter muscle sphincter muscles - Once the
flange 106 is located at the desired location, the physician pulls rearward on thelever 68 to move theelectrodes 66 into their extended position. Theelectrodes 66 travel longitudinally in an axial path aligned with axis of theanal canal 20. Thestraight electrodes 66 have distal sharpness and strength to penetrate a desired depth into one or bothsphincter muscles material 70 is coated about the proximal end of eachelectrode 66 to protect against damage tointermediate tissue 76. -
FIGS. 9A and 9B show the exposed tips of theelectrodes 66 contacting theinternal sphincter muscle 22, as theexternal sphincter muscle 26 is typically not targeted for treatment. With thelever 68, however, the physician can control the depth of penetration to contact only theinternal sphincter muscle 22 or just theexternal sphincter muscle 26. - The physician commands the
controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through theelectrodes 66. Thebarrel 42 also preferably carries twotemperature sensors 80, one to sense temperature conditions near the exposed distal end of theelectrode 66, and the other to sense tissue surface temperature conditions. Thecontroller 64 uses the sensed temperatures to control the application of radio frequency energy, as already described. - The
flange 106 can also includes one ormore lumens 98, situated close to eachelectrode 66. Thefluid delivery apparatus 56 sprays processing fluid F through thelumen 98, to cool the tissue surface while energy is being applied by theelectrode 66 to ohmically heat muscle beneath the surface. Anaspiration lumen 102, coupled to theaspiration apparatus 58, removes fluid from the treatment site. - (iii) Tubular Electrode Device
-
FIGS. 18 and 19 show another hand manipulateddevice 202 for treating fecal incontinence. Like thedevice 36 shown inFIGS. 3 and 4 , thedevice 202 includes ahand grip 204 made, e.g., from molded plastic. Thehand grip 204 is sized to be conveniently grasped in the hand of a physician (asFIG. 19 shows). - The
hand grip 204 carries a hollow,tubular barrel 206, which projects outward from thegrip 204. Thebarrel 206 terminates with a blunt, roundeddistal end 208. The roundeddistal end 208 is configured to aid passage of thebarrel 206 through the anal canal, without need for a separate introducer. - The
barrel wall 210 is preferably made from a transparent, molded plastic material. In this arrangement, thehand grip 204 includes aviewing port 212 for looking into the hollow interior of thebarrel 206. Looking through the view port 212 (seeFIG. 25 ), the physician can visualize surrounding tissue through thetransparent wall 210 of thebarrel 206. - An
electrode carrier 214 is mounted on thebarrel wall 210 in the interior of thebarrel 206. An array ofneedle electrodes 216 are movably contained in thecarrier 214. Theneedle electrodes 216 are carried in thecarrier 214 in a side-by-side relationship along an arcuate segment of thebarrel 206. In the illustrated embodiment, theneedle electrodes 216 occupy an arc of about 67.5 degrees on thebarrel 206. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
carrier 214 is mounted in the lower portion of thetubular barrel 206. Thus, when thebarrel 206 is oriented horizontally, theneedle electrodes 216 face downward, i.e., toward the ground. Of course, other orientations of theelectrodes 216 in thebarrel 206 are possible. - The
needle electrodes 216 are mechanically linked to a finger-operatedpull lever 218 on thehand grip 204. By operation of thepull lever 218, the distal ends of theneedle electrodes 216 are moved between a retracted position within the carrier 214 (FIG. 18 ) and an extended position outside the carrier 214 (FIG. 19 ). In the extended position, the distal ends of theneedle electrodes 216 project outwardly throughslots 220 formed in thebarrel wall 210. - The
needle electrodes 216 can be linked in various ways to thepull lever 218. In the illustrated embodiment (seeFIGS. 20 and 21 ), the proximal ends of theneedle electrodes 216 are coupled to anannular shuttle element 222, which slides in achannel 224 in theviewing port 212. The center of theannular shuttle element 222 is open, so that visualization into the interior of thebarrel 206 through theviewing port 212 is not obstructed. - The
annular shuttle element 222 is coupled by apivot link 226 to thepull lever 218. Aspring 228 normally biases thepull lever 218 toward a neutral position (seeFIG. 20 ). In the neutral position, thepivot link 226 pulls theshuttle element 222 toward the rear of the channel 224 (i.e., away from the barrel 206). In this position, the distal ends of theneedle electrodes 216 are withdrawn within thecarrier 214. Thespring 228 in thehand grip 204 thereby normally biases theneedle electrodes 216 toward their retracted position (asFIG. 20 shows). - As
FIG. 21 shows, depressing thepull lever 218 against the force of thespring 228 pivots thelink 226 to push theshuttle element 222 toward the front of the channel 224 (i.e., toward the barrel 206). The forward travel of theshuttle element 222 advances theneedle electrodes 216 within thecarrier 214, to cause the distal ends of theneedle electrodes 216 to move into their extended positions through the barrel slots 220 (asFIG. 21 shows). - In the illustrated embodiment (best shown in
FIGS. 20 and 21 ), a lockingpawl 230 in thehand grip 204 is biased by aspring 232 to swing into andetent 234 in thepull lever 218 as thepull lever 218 is depressed. The spring-biased engagement of thepawl 230 within thedetent 234 resists movement of thepull lever 218 out of the depressed position, thereby locking theneedle electrodes 216 in their extended position. - The locking
pawl 230 includes arelease button 236, which projects outside the back of hand grip 204 (i.e., on the side opposite to the pull lever 218). Thumb pressure on thebutton 236 overcomes the biasing force of thespring 232 and frees thepawl 230 from thedetent 234. The counter force of thespring 228 serves to urge thepull lever 218 toward the neutral position, thereby moving theneedle electrodes 216 back to their normally retracted positions. There is therefore a spring-assisted return of theneedle electrodes 216 into their normally retracted position. - In the illustrated embodiment (as
FIGS. 22 and 23 best show), thecarrier 214 comprises a molded plastic part with a preformed pattern of recesses forming channels, reservoirs, and mounts. - More particularly, the recesses form four
electrode guide channels 238 in which theneedle electrodes 216 slide. Thechannels 238 guide the sliding movement of theneedle electrodes 216, which is occasioned by operation of thepull lever 218, as just described. - The distal ends of the
needle electrodes 216 project beyond theguide channels 238 into other enlarged recesses, which formreservoirs 240. In the illustrated embodiment, there are tworeservoirs 240, each accommodating the distal ends of twoneedle electrodes 216. A single continuous reservoir spanning across thecarrier 214 could also be employed. - The
carrier 214 can be mounted to the interior of thebarrel 206 using, e.g., adhesive contained incavities 242, or fasteners fitted within thecavities 242, or snap-fit or heat-staked posts fitted within thecavities 242. Once thecarrier 214 is mounted, thereservoirs 240 register with thebarrel slots 220, through which the distal ends of theneedle electrodes 216 project when extended. - As
FIG. 22 shows, the distal ends of theneedle electrodes 216 are normally biased with an antegrade bend, as previously described in connection with theFIG. 5 embodiment. Also as previously described, an electricalinsulating material 244 is coated about the needle electrodes 216 (seeFIG. 22 ), except for a prescribed region of the distal ends, where radio frequency energy is applied to tissue. - In the illustrated embodiment, electrode shields 246 overlay the
reservoirs 240. The electrode shields 246 comprise a region of penetrable material, through which the electrodes can be advanced and retracted. The electrode shield material can include a closed cell structured material including semi-rigid foam insulation material, e.g., styrofoam material, polyethylene or urethane foam, neoprene, cork, rubber, soft plastic, or any number of comparable materials. Alternatively, theneedle electrodes 216 can pass through formed apertures in theshields 246. - Another recess in the
carrier 214 forms autility channel 248, which extends between thereservoirs 240 generally in the middle of thecarrier 214. Thechannel 248, at its distal end, communicates withbranch manifolds 250 that extend into thereservoirs 240. - The channel carries
tubing 252, the distal end of which terminates adjacent to the branch manifolds 250. The proximal end of thetubing 252 extends from the proximal end of thecarrier 214, through the hand grip 204 (seeFIG. 20 ), and is coupled to an exposed fitting 254 on thegrip 204. - In use, the fitting 254 is intended to be coupled to the fluid delivery apparatus 56 (see
FIG. 2 ). Theapparatus 56 conveys a cooling liquid through thetubing 252, which is transferred by themanifold branches 250 into eachreservoir 240. - In the illustrated embodiment, the electrode-penetrable material of the
shields 246 can also be selected to be permeable to or to otherwise retain the cooling fluid introduced into thereservoirs 240. For example, the shield material can comprise an open cell material, such as open celled foam or another sponge-like, liquid retaining material. In this arrangement, cooling fluid conducted into eachreservoir 240 permeates through the material of the overlayingelectrode shield 246 to contact tissue. The liquid retaining material keeps cooling liquid in contact with mucosal tissue at a localized position surrounding theelectrodes 216. By absorbing and retaining the flow of cooling liquid, the material also minimizes the aspiration requirements. The presence of the material to absorb and retain cooling liquid also reduces the flow rate and volume of cooling liquid required to cool mucosal tissue, and could eliminate the need for aspiration altogether. - Alternatively, separate ports for conducting cooling fluid can be provided in the electrode shields 246.
- The
utility channel 248 also carries anothertubing 256, through which fluid can be aspirated. The distal end of thetubing 256 extends beyond the channel 248 (seeFIG. 23 ) and is coupled to anaspiration port 258 in thedistal end 208 of the barrel 206 (seeFIG. 18 ). The proximal end of thetubing 256 extends from thecarrier 214, through the hand grip 204 (seeFIG. 20 ), and is coupled to an exposed fitting 260 on thegrip 204. In use, the fitting 260 is intended to be coupled to the aspirating apparatus 58 (seeFIG. 2 ). - Alternatively (as
FIG. 29 shows), the distal end of thetubing 256 can terminate within thebarrel 206 short of theport 258. In this arrangement, fluid that enters thebarrel 206 through theport 258 is removed by aspiration through thetubing 256. - The
utility channel 248 also carries cabling 262 that is coupled totemperature sensing devices 264. Thedevices 264 are attached tomounts 266 formed on thecarrier 214, arranged such that onetemperature sensor 264 is associated with eachneedle electrode 216. Thesensors 264 sense tissue temperature conditions in the region adjacent to eachneedle electrode 216. The proximal end of thecabling 262 extends from thecarrier 214, through the hand grip 204 (seeFIG. 20 ), and is coupled to an exposedconnector 268 on thegrip 204. - Wires 270 (see
FIG. 20 ) coupled to theneedle electrodes 216 are also coupled to thisconnector 268. In use, theconnector 268 is intended to be coupled to thegenerator 50. Preferably, the distal end of each needle electrode also carries a temperature sensor 272 (seeFIG. 22 ). Wires for these temperature sensors are coupled to theconnector 268 as well. - In use (see
FIG. 24 ), the physician grasps thehand grip 204 and guides thebarrel 206 into theanal canal 20. Thepull lever 218 is in the neutral position and not depressed, so theneedle electrodes 216 occupy their normal retracted position (asFIG. 24 shows). - Looking through the viewing port 212 (see
FIG. 25 ), the physician visualizes the pectinate (dentate)line 30 through thebarrel 206. Looking through thebarrel 206, the physician positions the distal ends of theneedle electrodes 216 at a desired location above the pectinate (dentate)line 30. A fiberoptic can also be inserted into thebarrel 206 to provide local illumination, or the physician can wear a headlamp for this purpose. InFIG. 29 , alight pipe 284 comprising a plastic acrylic rod is inserted into thebarrel 206 and removably secured in aretainer clip 286 in thebarrel 206. The proximal end of thelight pipe 284 is coupled via a cable (not shown) to an external high intensity light source (e.g., xenon). - As
FIG. 29 also shows, the location of the distal ends ofneedle electrodes 216 can also be marked by anopaque band 288 printed, scribed, or pasted on the inside of thebarrel 206. Theband 288 visually aids the physician in aligning theelectrodes 216 at the desired tissue location with respect to thedentate line 30. - Once the distal end of the
barrel 206 is located at the targeted site, the physician depresses the pull lever 218 (seeFIG. 25 ). Theneedle electrodes 216 advance to and lock in their extended positions. The distal ends of theelectrodes 216 pierce and pass through the mucosal tissue into the muscle tissue of the target sphincter muscle. InFIG. 25 , the distal end of the electrodes are shown penetrating the involuntary,internal sphincter muscle 22. - The physician commands the
controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through theneedle electrodes 216. The energy can be applied simultaneously by allelectrodes 216, or in any desired sequence. - As before described, the energy ohmically heats the muscle tissue. The
controller 64 samples temperatures sensed by thesensors - The
fluid delivery apparatus 56 conveys cooling fluid into thereservoirs 240 for discharge at the treatment site, to cool the mucosal surface while energy is being applied by theneedle electrodes 216. The aspiratingapparatus 58 draws aspirated material and the processing fluid throughtubing 256 in thebarrel 206 for discharge. - The array of
needle electrodes 216 creates a first pattern ofmultiple lesions 274, asFIG. 28 shows. - Upon the satisfactory creation of the
first lesion pattern 274, as just described, the physician actuates thebutton 236 to release the lockingpawl 230 from the detent 234 (as previously described and shown inFIGS. 20 and 21 ). Thepull lever 218 returns to the spring-biased neutral position, thereby moving theneedle electrodes 216 back to their retracted positions. - Still grasping the
hand grip 204 and visualizing through theviewing port 212, the physician rotates the barrel 206 a selected arcuate distance from its first position (seeFIG. 26 ), maintaining the desired location above the pectinate (dentate)line 30. For example, the physician can rotate thebarrel 206 by ninety degrees. - The physician again deploys the
needle electrodes 216 and performs another lesion generating sequence (seeFIG. 27 ). Asecond lesion pattern 276 is created (seeFIG. 28 ), circumferentially spaced ninety degrees from thefirst lesion pattern 274. - The physician repeats the above described sequence two additional times, rotating the
barrel 206 at successive intervals, e.g., ninety degrees each. Third andfourth lesion patterns FIG. 28 ), each circumferentially spaced apart by ninety degree intervals. This protocol forms a composite lesion pattern 282 (seeFIG. 28 ), which provides a density of lesions in the targeted sphincter tissue region to provoke a desired contraction of the sphincter tissue. - A. Carrier and Introducer Assembly
-
FIGS. 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment for atreatment device 110. In this embodiment, thetreatment device 110 comprises two component parts: ablunt tip introducer 112 and anelectrode carrier 114. Theintroducer 112 is sized for insertion into theanal canal 20 through theanal orifice 16, like theintroducer 46 described in the preceding embodiments. Theelectrode carrier 114 includes aninterior bore 116 that is sized to enable thecarrier 114 to be advanced over theintroducer 112 into theanal canal 20. - The
carrier 114 is preferably made of a material to enable the physician to visualize the location of the pectinate (dentate)line 30, e.g., by direct visualization through thecarrier 114. Thecarrier 114 can be made from a transparent material, e.g., clear plastic, for this purpose. Alternatively, thecarrier 114 can include slots, which open a viewing field. Thecarrier 114 carries an array ofelectrodes 66, as previously described, which can either be bent (asFIG. 10 shows) or straight (asFIG. 11 shows). Anactuator 118 on thecarrier 114 moves theelectrodes 66 between retracted and extended positions, as also previously described. - In use (see
FIG. 12 ), the physician manipulates theintroducer 112 to guide it into theanal canal 20 through theanal orifice 16. The physician then advances theelectrode carrier 114 over theintroducer 112, until itsdistal end 120 is aligned at the targeted site. The physician removes theintroducer 112 and operates theactuator 118 to move theelectrodes 66 into their extended position. Theelectrodes 66 pierce and pass through themucosal tissue 76 into the muscle tissue of the target sphincter muscle, as previously described. - The physician commands the
controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through theelectrodes 66, to ohmically heat the muscle tissue. Theelectrodes 66 carryinsulation material 70 about their proximal ends to prevent surface mucosal damage while subsurface ohmic heating occurs. - In this arrangement, as before described with respect to the previous embodiments, the
electrodes 66 can carrytemperature sensors 80, by which thecontroller 64 samples temperatures to control the application of energy. Cooling fluid can also be conveyed through lumen theelectrode carrier 114, as also previously described. - B. Expandable Structures
-
FIGS. 13 and 14 show another alternative embodiment for atreatment device 126. Thedevice 126 includes ahandle 128 made, e.g., from molded plastic. Thehandle 128 carries aflexible catheter tube 130. Thecatheter tube 130 can be constructed, for example, using standard flexible, medical grade plastic materials, like vinyl, nylon, poly(ethylene), ionomer, poly(urethane), poly(amide), and poly(ethylene terephthalate). Thehandle 128 is sized to be conveniently held by a physician, to introduce thecatheter tube 130 into theanal canal 20. - The
handle 128 and thecatheter tube 130 can form an integrated construction intended for a single use and subsequent disposal as a unit. Alternatively, thehandle 128 can comprise a nondisposable component intended for multiple uses. In this arrangement, thecatheter tube 130, and components carried at the end of the catheter tube 130 (as will be described), comprise a disposable assembly, which the physician releasably connects to thehandle 128 at time of use and disconnects and discards after use. Thecatheter tube 130 can, for example, include a male plug connector that couples to a female plug receptacle on thehandle 128. - The
catheter tube 130 has adistal end 134, which carries a three-dimensional basket 156. Thebasket 156 includes one or more spines 158 (seeFIGS. 15 and 16), and typically includes from four to eightspines 158, which are assembled together by adistal hub 160 and aproximal base 162.FIG. 15 shows a typical basket comprising fourspines 158.FIG. 16 shows a typical basket comprising eightspines 158. - As
FIGS. 15 and 16 best show, thedistal hub 160 presents a blunt distal surface. Thehub 160 thereby serves as an introducer, to aid passage of thedevice 126 through the anal canal. - Each
spine 158 preferably comprises a flexible tubular body made, e.g. from molded plastic, stainless steel, or nickel titanium alloy. The cross sectional shape of thespines 158 can vary, possessing, e.g., a circular, elliptical, square, or rectilinear shape. - In the embodiments shown in
FIGS. 13 to 16 , anexpandable structure 172 comprising a balloon is located within thebasket 156. Theballoon structure 172 can be made, e.g., from a Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) material, or a polyamide (non-compliant) material, or a radiation cross-linked polyethylene (semi-compliant) material, or a latex material, or a silicone material, or a C-Flex (highly compliant) material. Non-compliant materials offer the advantages of a predictable size and pressure feedback when inflated in contact with tissue. Compliant materials offer the advantages of variable sizes and shape conformance to adjacent tissue geometries. - The
balloon structure 172 presents a normally, generally collapsed condition, asFIG. 13 shows. In this condition, thebasket 156 is also normally collapsed about theballoon structure 172, presenting a low profile for deployment through theanal canal 20. - The
catheter tube 130 includes an interior lumen, which communicates with the interior of theballoon structure 172. A fitting 176 (e.g., a syringe-activated check valve) is carried by thehandle 128. The fitting 176 communicates with the lumen. The fitting 176 couples the lumen to a syringe 178 (seeFIG. 14 ). Thesyringe 178 injects fluid under pressure through the lumen into theballoon structure 172, causing its expansion. - Expansion of the
balloon structure 172 urges thebasket 156 to open and expand (asFIGS. 14 to 16 show). The force exerted by theballoon structure 172, when expanded, is sufficient to exert force upon the tissue surrounding thebasket 156. - As
FIGS. 15 and 16 show, eachspine 158 carries anelectrode 166. Eachelectrode 166 is carried within thetubular spine 158 for sliding movement. Eachelectrode 166 slides from a retracted position, withdrawn in the spine 158 (shown inFIGS. 13 and 14 ), and an extended position, extending outward from the spine 158 (shown inFIGS. 15 and 16 ) through a hole in thespine 158. - A push-
pull lever 168 on thehandle 128 is coupled by one or more interior wires to the slidingelectrodes 166. Thelever 168 controls movement electrodes between the retracted position (by pulling rearward on the lever 168) and the extended position (by pushing forward on the lever 168). - The
electrodes 166 can be formed from various energy transmitting materials. In the illustrated embodiment, theelectrodes 166 are formed from nickel titanium. Theelectrodes 166 can also be formed from stainless steel, e.g., 304 stainless steel, or a combination of nickel titanium and stainless steel. Theelectrodes 166 have sufficient distal sharpness and strength to penetrate a desired depth into targeted muscle tissue in the rectum. - To further facilitate penetration and anchoring in the targeted muscle tissue, each
electrode 166 is preferably biased with a bend. Movement of theelectrode 166 into thespine 158 overcomes the bias and straightens theelectrode 166. - In the illustrated embodiment (see
FIGS. 15 and 16 ), eachelectrode 166 is normally biased with an antegrade bend (i.e., bending toward theproximal base 162 of the basket 156). Alternatively, eachelectrode 166 can be normally biased toward an opposite retrograde bend (i.e., bending toward thedistal hub 160 of the basket 158). - As
FIG. 15 shows, an electricalinsulating material 170 is coated about the proximal end of eachelectrode 166, as described in the preceding embodiments. When the distal end of theelectrode 166 penetrating the target muscle tissue of the rectum transmits radio frequency energy, thematerial 170 insulates the mucosal surface of the rectum from direct exposure to the radio frequency energy. Thermal damage to the mucosal surface is thereby avoided. As previously described, the mucosal surface can also be actively cooled through holes in thespines 158 during application of radio frequency energy, to further protect the mucosal surface from thermal damage. - Of course, a greater or lesser number of
spines 158 and/orelectrodes 166 can be present, and the geometric array of thespines 158 andelectrodes 166 can vary. - In the illustrated embodiment (see
FIG. 15 ), twotemperature sensors 180 are provided, one to sense temperature conditions near the exposed distal end of theelectrode 166, and the other to sense temperature conditions in theinsulated material 170. Preferably, thesecond temperature sensor 180 is located on thecorresponding spine 158, which rests against the muscosal surface when theballoon structure 172 is inflated. - In use (see
FIG. 17 ), the physician manipulates ananuscope 200 into theanal canal 20 through theanal orifice 16. The physician then advances thecatheter tube 130 andbasket 156 through theanuscope 200, with thebasket 156 in its collapsed condition. The physician visualizes the location of thebasket 156 through the anuscope, to place thebasket 156 at the targeted site. Ultrasonic visualization can also be employed, as previously described. - The physician places the
basket 156 in its expanded condition and moves theelectrodes 166 into their extended position. Theelectrodes 166 pierce and pass through themucosal tissue 76 into the targeted muscle tissue, asFIG. 17 shows and as previously described. - The physician commands the
controller 64 to apply radio frequency energy through theelectrodes 166, to ohmically heat the muscle tissue. Thecontroller 64 can condition theelectrodes 166 to operate in a monopolar mode. In this arrangement, eachelectrode 166 serves as a transmitter of energy, and an indifferent patch electrode (not shown) serves as a common return for allelectrodes 166. Alternatively, thecontroller 64 can condition selected pairs ofelectrodes 166 to operate in a bipolar mode. In this mode, one of theelectrodes 166 comprises the transmitter and another electrode comprises the return for the transmitted energy. The bipolar electrode pairs can compriseelectrodes 166 on adjacent spines 138, orelectrodes 166 spaced more widely apart on thebasket 158. - The
controller 64 samples temperatures, using thesensors 180, to control the application of energy. Cooling fluid can also be conveyed through thespines 158, to further control mucosal tissue temperature, as ohmic heating of the targeted underlying muscle tissue occurs. - Once the desired lesions are formed, the physician retracts the
electrodes 166 and collapses thebasket 156. Thecatheter tube 130 andbasket 156 are withdrawn through theanuscope 200. - The various treatment devices disclosed in this Specification can be supplied to a physician as part of a sterile kit. The kit packages the particular treatment device as a single use item in a sterile fashion within peripherally sealed sheets of plastic film material that are torn or peeled away at the instance of use. The kit can include, together with the particular treatment device or separately supplied, instructions for using the device according to one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein.
- Features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims (21)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US14/828,320 US20160022357A1 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2015-08-17 | Method for treating fecal incontinence |
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US14374999P | 1999-07-14 | 1999-07-14 | |
US09/556,169 US6645201B1 (en) | 1998-02-19 | 2000-04-21 | Systems and methods for treating dysfunctions in the intestines and rectum |
US10/674,242 US7056320B2 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2003-09-29 | Systems and methods for treating dysfunctions in the intestines and rectum |
US11/446,771 US7699844B2 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2006-06-05 | Method for treating fecal incontinence |
US12/799,169 US8597290B2 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2010-04-20 | Method for treating fecal incontinence |
US14/055,077 US9125665B2 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2013-10-16 | Method for treating fecal incontinence |
US14/828,320 US20160022357A1 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2015-08-17 | Method for treating fecal incontinence |
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US14/828,320 Abandoned US20160022357A1 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2015-08-17 | Method for treating fecal incontinence |
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US14/055,077 Expired - Fee Related US9125665B2 (en) | 1999-07-14 | 2013-10-16 | Method for treating fecal incontinence |
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Also Published As
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US20110257646A1 (en) | 2011-10-20 |
US8597290B2 (en) | 2013-12-03 |
US20140107483A1 (en) | 2014-04-17 |
US9125665B2 (en) | 2015-09-08 |
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