US6056744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sphincter treatment apparatus
Assignee: Venture Banking Group
•
Filing: 1998-02-19
•
Granted: 2000-05-02
•
Expires: 2018-02-19
Abstract
Abstract A sphincter treatment apparatus includes an energy delivery device introduction member including a plurality of arms. Each arm has distal and proximal sections. The distal sections of the arms are coupled as are the proximal sections of the arms. The energy delivery device introduction member is configured to be introduced in the sphincter in a non-deployed state, expand to a deployed state to at least partially dilate the sphincter. A plurality of energy delivery devices are coupled to the energy delivery device introduction member. At least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices are controllably introducible from the energy delivery device introduction member into the sphincter.
Inventors
- 👤 Stuart D. Edwards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:04
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1206; A61B18/148; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; A61M; A61M16/00; A61M16/04; A61M16/0475; A61M16/0477; A61M16/0481; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/05; A61N1/056; A61N1/06; A61N1/40; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00106; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22061; A61B17/42; A61B2017/4216; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00023; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00065; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00077; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00113; A61B2018/00148; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00482; A61B2018/00494; A61B2018/00553; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00708; A61B2018/00726; A61B2018/00744; A61B2018/00755; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00815; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00869; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/00892; A61B2018/00898; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916; A61B2018/00982; A61B18/02; A61B2018/0231; A61B2018/0262; A61B2018/044; A61B2018/046; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1273; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1467; A61B2018/1472; A61B2018/183; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/361; A61B2090/3614; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61M16/0434; A61M16/0436; A61M16/0438; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M2025/1043; A61M2025/1052; A61M2025/1086; A61M25/1002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 90
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A sphincter treatment apparatus, comprising: an expandable basket structure including, a first arm with a distal and a proximal section, a second arm with a distal and a proximal section, and a third arm with a distal and a proximal section, the proximal sections of the first, second and third arms being coupled to each other and the distal sections of the first, second and third arms being coupled to each other, the expanded basket structure having a non-deployed state and a deployed state where the first, second and third arms distend away from each other; and a first energy delivery device coupled to the first arm and including a distal portion controllably advanceable from the first arm into the sphincter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A sphincter treatment apparatus, comprising: an expandable basket structure including, a first arm with a distal and a proximal section, a second arm with a distal and a proximal section, and a third arm with a distal and a proximal section, the proximal sections of the first, second and third arms being coupled to each other and the distal sections of the first, second and third arms being coupled to each other, the expanded basket structure having a non-deployed state and a deployed state where the first, second and third arms distend away from each other; and a first energy delivery device coupled to the first arm and including a distal portion controllably advanceable from the first arm into the sphincter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a support member with a support member distal portion and a support member proximal portion, wherein the distal portions of the first, second and third arms are coupled to the support member distal portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second energy delivery device coupled to the second arm and including a distal portion controllably advanceable from the second arm into the sphincter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising: a third energy delivery device coupled to the third arm and including a distal portion controllably advanceable from the third arm into the sphincter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the arm distal sections are coupled to a distal cap member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the arm proximal sections are coupled to a proximal cap member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the arm proximal sections are coupled to a distal portion of a catheter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the arm distal sections are coupled to a distal cap member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of the first, second and third arms have curved geometries.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 5, further including a fourth arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further including four struts coupled to the four arms.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the first, second and third arms have a distinctive marking.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the distinctive markings are color codings.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal portions of the first, second and third energy delivery devices have a geometric configuration that creates a minimal of tearing of a mucosa of the sphincter when introduced into the sphincter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal portions of the first, second and third energy delivery devices have a geometric configuration that enters the sphincter substantially at a non-oblique angle relative to an associated arm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal portions of the first, second and third energy delivery devices have a geometric configuration that enters the sphincter substantially at a ninety degree angle relative to an associated arm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distal portions of the first, second and third energy delivery devices have a geometric configuration that retains substantially a same geometry as each distal portion is introduced into the sphincter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a strut coupled to the first and second arms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a strut energy delivery device coupled to a strut.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a removable sheath housing the expandable basket structure in the non-deployed state.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an introducer housing the expandable basket structure in the non-deployed state.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an energy delivery device advancement member coupled to the expandable basket structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including an expandable member positioned within an interior defined by the expandable basket structure.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the expandable member includes a plurality of fluid introduction apertures to introduce a fluid from an interior of the expandable member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the expandable member is a balloon.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first, second and third arms are made of a shaped memory alloy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first, second and third arms are made of steel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first, second and third arms are made of spring steel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first arm includes an internal lumen, the second arm includes an internal lumen and the third arm includes an internal lumen.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein each lumen of the first, second and third arms is coupled to an aperture formed in each arm.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the first energy delivery device is positionable in the lumen of the first arm, the second energy delivery device is positionable in the lumen of the second arm and the third energy delivery device is positionable in the lumen of the third arm.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third energy delivery devices are each RF electrodes.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising: an insulation sleeve in a surrounding relationship to at least one of the RF electrodes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third energy delivery devices are each RF electrodes with a tissue piercing distal end.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor coupled to at least one of the first, second or third energy delivery devices.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the sensor is coupled to the distal portion of one of the first, second or third energy delivery devices.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third energy delivery devices are each waveguides.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and energy delivery devices are each microwave antennas.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third energy delivery devices are acoustical transducers.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third energy delivery devices are each resistive heating devices.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a visualization device coupled to the expandable basket structure.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an extension member coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of arms.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second and third energy delivery devices are positionable along an exterior of at first, second and third arms.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an energy delivery device depth control member coupled at least one of the first, second or third energy delivery devices.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
120 words
A sphincter treatment apparatus, comprising: a energy delivery device introduction member including a plurality of arms, each arm of the plurality including a distal section and a proximal section with each of the plurality of arm distal sections being coupled and each of the arm proximal sections being coupled, wherein the energy delivery device introduction member is configured to be introduced in the sphincter in a non-deployed state, and expand to a deployed state to at least partially dilate the sphincter; and a plurality of energy delivery devices coupled to the energy delivery device introduction member, at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices being controllably introducible from the energy delivery device introduction member into the sphincter.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
120 words
A sphincter treatment apparatus, comprising: a energy delivery device introduction member including a plurality of arms, each arm of the plurality including a distal section and a proximal section with each of the plurality of arm distal sections being coupled and each of the arm proximal sections being coupled, wherein the energy delivery device introduction member is configured to be introduced in the sphincter in a non-deployed state, and expand to a deployed state to at least partially dilate the sphincter; and a plurality of energy delivery devices coupled to the energy delivery device introduction member, at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices being controllably introducible from the energy delivery device introduction member into the sphincter.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the energy delivery device introduction member has a deployed basket configuration.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the arm distal sections are coupled to a distal cap member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein each of the arm proximal sections are coupled to a proximal cap member.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the arm proximal sections are coupled to a distal portion of a catheter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 49, wherein each of the arm distal sections are coupled to a distal cap member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of arms have curved geometries.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms includes four arms.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 52, further including four struts coupled to the four arms.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a plurality of the arms have distinctive markings.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the distinctive markings are color codings.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of energy delivery devices each have a distal portion with a geometric configuration that is advanceable into the sphincter with a minimal amount of tearing of a mucosa of the sphincter.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a distal portion of at least a portion of energy delivery devices have distal ends that are advanceable into the sphincter while maintaining a constant angle of penetration through a sphincter surface.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of energy delivery devices each have a distal portion with a geometric configuration that substantially enters the sphincter at a non-oblique angle relative to an associated arm.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of energy delivery devices each have a distal portion with a geometric configuration that substantially enters the sphincter at a ninety degree angle relative to an associated arm.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of energy delivery devices each have a distal portion with a geometric configuration that retains substantially a same geometry as the distal portion is introduced into the sphincter.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of struts coupled to the plurality of arms.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 61, further comprising: a strut energy delivery device coupled to at least one of a plurality of struts, the strut energy delivery device being controllably introducible into the sphincter.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a removable sheath housing the energy delivery device introduction member plurality in the non-deployed state.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an introducer housing the energy delivery device introduction member in the non-deployed state.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an advancement member coupled to the energy delivery device introduction member.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further including an expandable member positioned within an interior defined by the energy delivery device introduction member.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the expandable member includes a plurality of fluid introduction apertures to introduce a fluid from an interior of the expandable member.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the expandable member is a balloon.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of arms is at least partially made of a shaped memory alloy.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of arms is at least partially made of steel.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of arms is at least partially made of spring steel.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of arms is at least partially made of plastic.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of arms each include a lumen.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of arms each include an aperture coupled to the lumen.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 30, wherein each of the plurality of energy delivery devices is positionable in the lumen and advanceable from the aperture coupled to the lumen into the sphincter.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices is a plurality of RF electrodes.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 76, further comprising: an insulation sleeve in a surrounding relationship to at least one of the plurality of RF electrodes.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices is a plurality of RF electrodes each with a tissue piercing distal end.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor coupled to at least one of the plurality of energy deliver devices.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 79, wherein the sensor is coupled to a distal portion of at least one of the plurality of energy delivery devices.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices is a waveguide.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices is a microwave antenna.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices is an acoustical transducer.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices is a resistive heating device.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a visualization device coupled to the energy delivery device introduction member.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an extension member coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of arms.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices are positionable along an exterior of at least a portion of the plurality of arms.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an energy delivery device depth control member coupled to at least a portion of the plurality of energy delivery devices.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-05-02 | 2003-11-01 | 2004-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-02 | 2007-11-01 | 2008-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-02 | 2011-11-01 | 2012-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |