Systems and methods for treating tissue regions of the body

Abstract

Systems and methods deploy a therapeutic or diagnostic element into contact with a body tissue region. The systems and methods can sense position of the therapeutic or diagnostic element relative to a targeted tissue region without direct or indirect visualization, by sensing fluid pressure in a fluid path having an outlet located at or near the therapeutic or diagnostic element. The systems and methods can also inflate the therapeutic or diagnostic element during use, while taking steps to avoid over-inflation and/or while dynamically monitoring the pressure conditions within the expanded element.

1 . A system for sensing position of a therapeutic or diagnostic element relative to a body tissue region comprising a fluid path having an outlet located at or near the therapeutic or diagnostic element and being positioned relative to tissue concurrently with the therapeutic or diagnostic element, a source of fluid under pressure communication with the fluid path to convey fluid under pressure through the fluid path, a fluid pressure sensor communicating with the fluid path to sense prevailing fluid pressure, and an output to indicate the sensed prevailing fluid pressure or changes in the sensed prevailing fluid pressure over time. 
     
     
         2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the source of fluid conveys air under pressure, and wherein the fluid pressure sensor comprises a manometer. 
     
     
         3 . A method for sensing position of a therapeutic or diagnostic element using the system defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         4 . A system for inflating an inflatable structure that carries a therapeutic or diagnostic element comprising a source of fluid under pressure, a supply line communicating with the inflatable structure and the source to convey fluid into the inflatable structure to inflate the inflatable structure for use, and a pressure relief valve communicating with the supply line that opens and vents fluid from the supply line when a predetermined pressure condition exists in the supply line indicative of a desired interior pressure within the inflatable structure. 
     
     
         5 . A method for inflating an inflatable structure that carries a therapeutic or diagnostic element using the system defined in  claim 4 . 
     
     
         6 . A system comprising an elongated body sized and configured for deployment into a targeted tissue region, an inflatable structure carried by the elongated body, a therapeutic or diagnostic element carried by the inflatable structure, and a pressure sensing device that senses interior pressure within the inflatable structure and generates an output. 
     
     
         7 . A system according to  claim 6 , further including a controller coupled to the pressure sensing device to process the output. 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising providing a system as defined in  claim 6 , and performing a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure using the system. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising an elongated body sized and configured for deployment into a targeted tissue region, an inflatable structure carried by the elongated body, the inflatable structure including a porous region, therapeutic or diagnostic element carried by the inflatable structure, a source of inflating liquid coupled to the inflatable structure to inflate the structure while a portion of the inflating liquid is conveyed through the porous region to irrigate tissue, and a pressure sensing device that senses interior pressure within the inflatable structure and generates an output. 
     
     
         10 . A device according to  claim 9 , further including a controller coupled to the pressure sensing device to process the output. 
     
     
         11 . A method comprising providing a system as defined in  claim 9 , and performing a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure using the system.