Gerd treatment apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus includes an expandable member. The expandable member is sized to be positionable in a sphincter. An energy delivery device is positioned on a surface of the expandable member. The energy delivery device has a configuration that provides sufficient energy delivery to create lesions in the interior of the sphincter. When the expandable member is removed from the sphincter, the sphincter returns to its closed or contracted configuration.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A minimally invasive device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease in a patient comprising an expandable member having an exterior surface, the expandable member movable from a first state to a second expanded deployed state, at least one energy delivery device coupled to the expandable member and configured to be coupled to an external power source, wherein the expandable member is expanded such that at least a portion of a lower esophageal sphincter can be accessible to the energy delivery device, and the energy delivery device delivering energy to produce lesions to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the exterior surface of the expandable member has a plurality of apertures and upon application of sufficient pressure, the expandable member weeps fluid through the apertures into tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein application of fluid weeps out through the exterior surface of the expandable member. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the expandable member is made of an insulator material to provide a barrier to electrical energy flow. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the expandable member is substantially surrounded by a conforming member forming a fluid conduit to receive fluid from the expandable member. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the conforming member is made of a microporous material and substantially conforms to a surface of the lower esophageal sphincter. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the expandable member is made from a microporous material. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the device is introduced with an endoscope. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one energy delivery device includes a plurality of electrodes positioned on an exterior surface of the expandable member. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one energy delivery device includes a plurality of electrodes positioned on the external surface of the conforming member. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are positioned in a radial distribution. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are positioned in a longitudinal distribution. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of electrodes include penetrating tips which protrude into the lower esophageal sphincter when the expandable member moves to the expanded state. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising an extension member coupled to the expandable member, the extension member having a sufficient length to position the expandable member in the lower esophageal sphincter using a trans-oral approach. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the extension member extends distally beyond the expandable member. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the extension member includes an electrode positioned thereon. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a second expandable member. 
     
     
         22 . A minimally invasive method of treating gastroesophageal reflux disease in a patient comprising:
 inserting trans-orally an expandable member having an exterior surface into the lower esophageal sphincter, the expandable member inserted in a non-expanded state;   moving the expandable member from the non-expanded state to a second expanded deployed state; and   applying energy to at least one energy delivery device coupled to the first expandable member and configured to be coupled to an external power source, wherein the expandable member is expanded such that at least a portion of the lower esophageal sphincter can be accessible to the energy delivery device to deliver energy to tighten the lower esophageal sphincter to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the step of providing electrolytic solution through the expandable member. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising applying fluid to weep out of the exterior surface of the expandable member.