US6027499A — Method and apparatus for cryogenic spray ablation…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 124 words

A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified cryogenic gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing the cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of the cryogenic gas without perforating the esophagus, further comprising a fiber optic means for viewing the area to be ablated, wherein the fiber optic means is disposed together with an illuminating light source and imaging camera, and wherein the imaging camera has a lens, the apparatus further including a means for evacuating moist air to prevent fogging of the lens of said imaging camera.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 124 words

A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified cryogenic gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing the cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of the cryogenic gas without perforating the esophagus, further comprising a fiber optic means for viewing the area to be ablated, wherein the fiber optic means is disposed together with an illuminating light source and imaging camera, and wherein the imaging camera has a lens, the apparatus further including a means for evacuating moist air to prevent fogging of the lens of said imaging camera.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 84 words

A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified cryogenic gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing the cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of the cryogenic gas without perforating the esophagus, wherein the apparatus is provided with a means for purging moist air or gas from the esophagus.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 84 words

A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified cryogenic gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing the cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of the cryogenic gas without perforating the esophagus, wherein the apparatus is provided with a means for purging moist air or gas from the esophagus.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 92 words

A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing a cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of cryogen without perforating the esophagus and wherein the catheter is provided at its proximal end with a bleeder vent to reduce the pressure of gas supplied at the distal end of the catheter.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 92 words

A cryosurgical apparatus useful for cryogenic spray ablation comprising in combination an endoscope, a catheter and a source of liquified gas attached to said catheter such that the endoscope aids in placing a cryogenic gas to be sprayed in proximity to the area to be cryogenically ablated and with the catheter being able to produce low pressure delivery of cryogen without perforating the esophagus and wherein the catheter is provided at its proximal end with a bleeder vent to reduce the pressure of gas supplied at the distal end of the catheter.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 117 words

An apparatus for cryogenic spray ablation of intralumenal mucosa, comprising: an endoscope having an imaging camera lens and illuminating light source at the distal end thereof and at least one additional lumen therethrough; a catheter extending through a lumen of said endoscope, said catheter extending from the proximal end of said endoscope and terminating at means for causing cooled fluid flowing therethrough to be sprayed in a radial direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said catheter; a source of cooled liquified gas connected to the portion of said catheter extending from the proximal end of said endoscope; and means for controlling the flow of liquified gas at a low pressure from said source to said catheter.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 117 words

An apparatus for cryogenic spray ablation of intralumenal mucosa, comprising: an endoscope having an imaging camera lens and illuminating light source at the distal end thereof and at least one additional lumen therethrough; a catheter extending through a lumen of said endoscope, said catheter extending from the proximal end of said endoscope and terminating at means for causing cooled fluid flowing therethrough to be sprayed in a radial direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said catheter; a source of cooled liquified gas connected to the portion of said catheter extending from the proximal end of said endoscope; and means for controlling the flow of liquified gas at a low pressure from said source to said catheter.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 27 words

An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, further including means for withdrawing gas from an area distal to said endoscope to an area proximal to said endoscope.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said means for controlling comprises a valve which can be opened to permit flow of liquified gas to said catheter or closed to prevent flow of liquified gas to said catheter.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 38 words

An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, further including means for blocking the lumen containing the mucosa to be sprayed, when the apparatus is in use, at a locus distal to the locus of intended cryogenic spray ablation.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 30 words

An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein said means for blocking comprises a balloon catheter, whereby the lumen is blocked when the balloon of said balloon catheter is inflated.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 30 words

An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said endoscope is a diagnostic endoscope having a single additional lumen therethrough and wherein said catheter extends through said single additional lumen.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said endoscope is a therapeutic endoscope having two additional lumens extending therethrough.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 38 words

An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said source of liquified gas comprises a container of liquified gas and means for forcing said liquified gas under pressure to said means for controlling the flow of liquified gas.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 12 words

An apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein said gas is nitrogen.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 100 words

A method for cryogenic spray ablation of intralumenal mucosa using the apparatus of claim 4, comprising: inserting said endoscope into the esophagus containing the intralumenal mucosa to be sprayed; adjusting said catheter to place said means for causing radial fluid spray to be disposed adjacent the mucosa to be sprayed; opening said means for controlling the flow of liquified gas to allow liquified gas to flow at a low pressure from said source to said catheter; observing the spray of liquified gas; and closing said means for controlling the flow of liquified gas once the mucosa appears to be frozen.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 13 wherein the esophagus is vented prior to allowing the liquified gas to flow.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method in accordance with claim 13, further including the step of withdrawing gas from an area of the lumen containing the intralumenal mucosa to be sprayed, during the time that said means for controlling the flow of gas is open.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 53 words

A method in accordance with claim 13, further including the step of blocking the lumen containing the liquified gas being sprayed during the time that said means for controlling the flow of gas is open, whereby the gas into which the liquified gas evaporates during use is prevented from passing beyond the blockage.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 47 words

A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein said catheter has a degree of insulation which permits at least five seconds to pass from the time said means for controlling the flow of gas is opened to the time that liquified gas is sprayed onto the mucosa.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 26 words

A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the intralumenal mucosa being sprayed is the Barrett's tissue in the esophagus of a patient with Barrett's esophagus.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-02-21	2003-08-23	2004-02-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-02-21	2007-08-23	2008-02-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-02-21	2011-08-23	2012-02-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for cryogenic spray ablation of gastrointestinal mucosa

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