Devices, methods, and systems for shrinking tissues

Abstract

Devices, systems, and method for treating urinary incontinence generally rely on energy delivered to a patient's own pelvic support tissue to selectively contract or shrink at least a portion of that pelvic support tissue so as to reposition the bladder. The energy will preferably be applied to the endopelvic fascia and/or an arcus tendineus fascia pelvis. The invention provides a variety of devices and methods for applying gentle resistive heating of these and other tissues to cause them to contract without imposing significant injury on the surrounding tissue structures. Alternatively, heat-applying probes are configured to heat tissue structures which comprise or support a patient's urethra. By applying sufficient energy over a predetermined time, the tissue can be raised to a temperature which results in contraction without significant necrosis or other tissue damage. By selectively contracting the support tissues, the bladder neck, sphincter, and other components of the urinary tract responsible for the control of urinary flow can be reconfigured or supported in a manner which reduces urinary leakage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for treating a hernia, the hernia comprising a structure which protrudes through a containing tissue, the method comprising: 
 penetrating at least one electrode into the containing tissue; and    applying sufficient bipolar electrical current flux to the containing tissue adjacent the hernia with the penetrating electrode to heat the containing tissue so that the containing tissue contracts and mitigates the hernia without substantially ablating the containing tissue.    
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hernia comprises a hiatal hernia, the containing tissue comprises the tissue at and around an esophageal hiatus of a diaphragm and the protruding tissue comprises at least a portion of the stomach.  
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the hernia comprises an inguinal hernia, and wherein the containing tissue comprises an inguinal region of an abdominal wall.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the abdominal wall is distended and not torn.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the abdominal wall has a tear with a length of less than 2 cm.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , further comprising supporting the shrunken abdominal wall with a girdle.  
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the containing tissue comprises tissue around the lower esophageal sphincter, and wherein the containing tissue shrinks so that reflux is inhibited.  
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising selecting a spacing and sizing of bipolar electrodes to control penetration of the bipolar flux.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising cooling the containing tissue.