Systems and methods for applying a selected treatment agent into contact with tissue to treat sphincter dysfunction

Abstract

Systems and methods apply a selected treatment agent or agents into contact with tissue at or in the region of a dysfunctional sphincter (in the case of GERD, fecal incontinence, or other dysfunctional sphincter disorders) to affect improved sphincter barrier function and/or to disrupt abnormal nerve pathways. The treatment agent can include at least one cytokine and/or at least one tissue bulking agent and/or at least one vanilloid compound to evoke a desired tissue response. The systems and methods can be used a primary treatment modality, or applied as a supplementary treatment before, during or after a primary intervention.

1 . An apparatus for treating tissue at or near a sphincter comprising
 an operative element adapted, in use, to be deployed adjacent to a tissue region, at, or near a sphincter,   a source of treatment agent including at least one cytokine coupled to the operative element to apply the treatment agent into contact with the tissue region.