Method for treating tissue

Abstract

This invention relates to a novel surgical device scalable to small dimensions for thermally-mediated treatments or thermoplastics of targeted tissue volumes. An exemplary embodiment is adapted for fusing, sealing or welding tissue. The instruments and techniques utilize a thermal energy delivery means, for example an electrical energy source, to instantly elevate the temperature of a biocompatible fluid media within an electrically insulated instrument portion. The altered media which may then be a gas is characterized by a (i) a high heat content, and (ii) a high exit velocity from the working end, both of which characteristics are controlled to hydrate tissue and at the same time denature proteins to fuse, seal, weld or cause any other thermally-mediated treatment of an engaged tissue volume—while causing limited collateral thermal damage and while totally eliminating electrical current flow the engaged tissue volume. The system can further utilize a piezoelectric material that carried fluid channels to apply compressive forces to the fluid eject the fluid from the working end of make it require less electrical energy to convert it to a gas.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of treating target tissue within a lumen of a patient's body comprising:
 introducing an elongate vapor delivery tool into the lumen;   delivering vapor from the delivery tool into the lumen; and   fusing opposed tissue surfaces of the lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising moving the opposed tissue surfaces toward each other. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the moving step comprises compressing the opposed tissue surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The method of claim wherein the vapor comprises water vapor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising vaporizing liquid water prior to the delivering, step. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the delivery tool comprises a working end, the delivering step comprising vaporizing a fluid proximal to the working end. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the delivering step comprises inserting a catheter into the lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the delivering step comprises inserting an endoscope into the lumen. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising condensing the vapor on the tissue surfaces. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the delivering step comprises delivering vapor to target tissue for 1-30 seconds. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the delivering step comprises delivering vapor to target tissue for 5-20 seconds. 
     
     
         12 . A method of treating target tissue in a patient's body comprising:
 placing a working end of an elongate vapor delivery tool adjacent the target tissue;   inflating a balloon at the working end of the vapor delivery tool to place the balloon in contact with tissue; and   delivering vapor from the working end of the vapor delivery tool to weld, fuse or ablate the target tissue.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the placing step comprises inserting a catheter into the patient's body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the placing, step comprises inserting an endoscope into the patient's body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the vapor comprises water vapor. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising vaporizing liquid water prior to the delivering step. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising condensing the vapor on the target tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the delivering step comprises delivering vapor to target tissue for 1-30 seconds. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the delivering step comprises delivering vapor to target tissue for 5-20 seconds.