Ablation Overtube

Abstract

An energy delivery system and a method of delivering energy to a tissue are provided. The energy delivery system includes an overtube. The overtube includes a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough. The proximal portion is adapted to be positioned over a distal portion of an endoscope. The body also includes a first plurality of openings formed in the body and connected to the lumen and an electrode operably connected to the body and extending over at least a portion of a surface of the body. The lumen is operably connectable to a vacuum source and the electrode is operably connectable to a power source.

1 . A method of delivering energy to a tissue site within a patient's lumen, the method comprising:
 positioning an energy delivery system within a patient's lumen, the energy delivery system comprising:
 an overtube comprising:
 a body having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an outer surface and a lumen extending at least partially therethrough; 
 a first plurality of openings formed in the body, extending from the outer surface and connected to the lumen; and 
 an electrode operably connected to the body and extending over at least a portion of the outer surface of the body; 
 
   applying suction to the plurality of openings;   drawing a first tissue site to be treated to the outer surface body using suction; and   applying energy to the first tissue site from at least a portion the electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising releasing the suction and the tissue from the body at the first tissue site and repositioning the electrode at a second tissue site. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising releasing the suction and the tissue from the boy at the first tissue site and repositioning the body at a second tissue site to be treated. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising moving the electrode longitudinally along the body to position the electrode at the tissue site to be treated. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising selectively energizing the at least a portion of the electrode at a first position and selectively energizing the at least a portion of the electrode at a second position, the second position being distal to the first position. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , comprising moving a drive cable to longitudinally move the electrode along an outer surface of the body. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, moving an activator within the lumen and positioning the activator in line with the tissue to be treated and applying energy by activating the at least a portion of the electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising delivering the energy delivery system to the patient's lumen using an endoscope, the endoscope comprising a viewing port and a suction port. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising selectively activating a portion of the electrode to apply energy to the treatment site. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising positioning at least a portion of the electrode within a sheath for delivery of the electrode to the treatment site. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising extending the electrode beyond the sheath and exposing the electrode for applying energy. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising applying suction to a second plurality of openings formed in the body. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising applying suction to the first plurality of openings that extend longitudinally along a portion of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising applying suction to the first plurality of openings comprising at least two rows of openings extending longitudinally along a portion of the body. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising viewing the tissue site through a portion of the body comprising a transparent material or a translucent material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising delivering a fluid to the tissue site. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising delivering an electroconductive fluid to the tissue site. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is a bipolar electrode. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of opening is space apart by at least 90° around a circumference of the body from a second plurality of openings. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of openings extend longitudinally along the body and a second plurality of openings extends circumferentially around the body.