Devices and methods for the treatment of tissue

Abstract

Systems, methods and devices for the treatment of tissue are disclosed. A system includes an elongate tube with a distal portion. A treatment element is positioned on the elongate tube distal portion, the treatment element constructed and arranged to treat target tissue. In one embodiment, gastrointestinal tissue is modified for the treatment of diabetes.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of treating insulin resistance of a patient comprising:
 introducing a distal portion of an elongate tube into the duodenum of the patient, the distal portion comprising multiple fluid delivery elements;   circumferentially expanding submucosal tissue of multiple segments of the duodenum via the multiple fluid delivery elements; and   delivering a hot fluid to the distal portion of the elongate tube to circumferentially ablate target tissue, the target tissue comprising mucosal tissue of the multiple segments of the duodenum;   wherein delivery of the hot fluid avoids adversely affecting non-target tissue; and   wherein ablation of the target tissue treats the insulin resistance of the patient.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein ablation of the target tissue causes the target tissue to be replaced with new tissue. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the new tissue displays different secretive properties than the target tissue. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the new tissue displays different absorptive properties than the target tissue. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the new tissue comprises new mucosal cells that have migrated from at least one of the gastric mucosa or the jejunal mucosa. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the target tissue comprises duodenal mucosal tissue within a portion of the gastrointestinal tract spanning from the pylorus to the ligament of Treitz. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein ablation of the target tissue is directed to avoid adversely affecting non-target tissue comprising at least the ampulla of Vater. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the non-target tissue is selected from the group consisting of: tunica serosa of the intestine; pancreas; tunica muscularis of the intestine; outermost partial layer of the submucosa of the intestine; bile duct; pylorus; Sphincter of Oddi; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the elongate tube distal portion further comprises an expandable balloon constructed and arranged to receive the hot fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein ablation of the target tissue treats diabetes. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein ablation of the target tissue treats a disease or disorder selected from the group consisting of: Diabetes; Type-1 Diabetes; Type-2 Diabetes; hypercholesterolemia; a metabolic syndrome; celiac disease; obesity; cancer; bronchoalveolar carcinoma; cystitis; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein ablation of the target tissue modifies a secretive property selected from the group consisting of: quantity of secretions; material secreted; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the target tissue further comprises stem cells at a base of crypts of the mucosal tissue. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the target tissue further comprises submucosal tissue of the duodenum. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein ablation of the target tissue comprises causing at least one of: cell death; apoptosis; instant cell death; cell necrosis; denaturing of cells; removal of cells; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the method further includes visual interrogation of the mucosal tissue.