Abstract: A method for treating a blood vessel in a wall forming a gastrointestinal tract of a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced from the gastrointestinal tract into the vessel. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the vessel in the vicinity of a portion of the vessel from the least one nonaqueous solution to create an occlusion in the vessel and thus terminate blood flow to the vessel distal of the occlusion.

Abstract: A method for treating fecal incontinence in a body of a mammal having a rectum formed by a rectal wall extending to an anus wherein the rectal wall includes a sphincter muscle surrounding the anus. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the rectal wall in the vicinity of the anus. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the rectal wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution.

Abstract: A method for forming a valve-like mechanism in a body of a mammal having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and formed by a wall having a muscle layer and a mucosal layer. The method comprises the step of forming at least one implant in the muscle layer of the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The at least one implant inhibits opening of esophagus at the lower esophageal sphincter and causes the mucosal layer to appose in the vicinity of the implants.

Abstract: A method for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease in a body of a mammal is provided. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed from the at least one nonaqueous solution in the wall to augment the wall. An apparatus for use in the procedure is provided.

Abstract: A method for treating a body of a mammal having a natural body passageway formed by a wall having a muscle layer. The method includes the step of forming at least one tightening in the muscle layer to reduce the distensibility of the muscle layer.

Abstract: A method for treating morbid obesity in a body of a mammal having a gastrointestinal tract extending through a stomach and a pyloric sphincter and a wall forming the stomach and pyloric sphincter. At least one implant is formed in the wall in the vicinity of the pyloric sphincter to inhibit emptying of the stomach.

Abstract: A method for treating a gastrointestinal tract in a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution to treat the wall. A kit for use in the procedure is provided.

Abstract: A method for treating a blood vessel in a wall forming a gastrointestinal tract of a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced from the gastrointestinal tract into the vessel. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the vessel in the vicinity of a portion of the vessel from the least one nonaqueous solution to create an occlusion in the vessel and thus terminate blood flow to the vessel distal of the occlusion.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus includes a handpiece, an electrode extending from a handpiece distal end, a probe, a thermal sensor and an energy source. The electrode includes a distal end and a lumen, a cooling medium inlet conduit and a cooling medium exit conduit. Both conduits extend through the electrode lumen to an electrode distal end. A sidewall port, isolated from a cooling medium flowing in the inlet and outlet conduits, is formed in the electrode. The probe is at least partially positionable in the electrode lumen and configured to be advanced and retracted in and out of the sidewall aperture. The thermal sensor is supported by the probe. The electrode is coupled to an energy source.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a portion of a wall forming a cavity in a body having a natural body opening for accessing the cavity. The apparatus includes an elongate probe member, a suction source, and an energy source. The elongate probe member includes proximal and distal extremities. The distal extremity of the elongate probe member has an outer surface, at least one recess opening onto the outer surface, and an internal passageway communicating with the recess. The suction source is coupled to the proximal extremity of the elongate probe member and is in communication with the passageway to create suction in the recess for drawing the portion of the wall into the recess. At least one stylet is carried by the elongate probe member and is extendable into the recess. The energy source is coupled to the stylet for delivering energy such as radio frequency energy through the stylet to the portion of the wall for treatment thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities for use with a suction source to treat a portion of a wall forming a cavity in a body having a natural body opening for accessing the cavity. The elongate probe member has a length so that when the distal extremity is in the vicinity of the portion of the wall the proximal extremity is outside of the body. The distal extremity of the elongate probe member has an outer surface and is provided with at least one recess opening onto the outer surface and an internal passageway communicating with the recess. When the suction source is coupled to the apparatus a suction is created in the recess by means of the passageway to draw the portion of the wall into the recess. A hollow needle is slidably disposed in the elongate probe member and has a distal end portion.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an elongate probe member having proximal and distal extremities for use with a suction source to treat a portion of a wall forming a cavity in a body having a natural body opening for accessing the cavity. The elongate probe member has a length so that when the distal extremity is in the vicinity of the portion of the wall the proximal extremity is outside of the body. The distal extremity of the elongate probe member has an outer surface and is provided with at least one recess opening onto the outer surface and an internal passageway communicating with the recess. When the suction source is coupled to the apparatus a suction is created in the recess by means of the passageway to draw the portion of the wall into the recess. A hollow needle is slidably disposed in the elongate probe member and has a distal end portion.

Abstract: A method for forming a valve-like mechanism in a body of a mammal having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and formed by a wall having a muscle layer and a mucosal layer. The method comprises the step of forming at least one implant in the muscle layer of the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The at least one implant inhibits opening of esophagus at the lower esophageal sphincter and causes the mucosal layer to appose in the vicinity of the implants.

Abstract: A method for treating fecal incontinence in a body of a mammal having a rectum formed by a rectal wall extending to an anus wherein the rectal wall includes a sphincter muscle surrounding the anus. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the rectal wall in the vicinity of the anus. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the rectal wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for soft tissue augmentation in a mammal wherein a composition comprising a biocompatible polymer having a water equilibrium content of less than about 15% and a biocompatible solvent is delivered to the tissue of the mammal to be augmented.

Abstract: A method for treating a blood vessel in a wall forming a gastrointestinal tract of a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced from the gastrointestinal tract into the vessel. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the vessel in the vicinity of a portion of the vessel from the least one nonaqueous solution to create an occlusion in the vessel and thus terminate blood flow to the vessel distal of the occlusion.

Abstract: A method for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease in a body of a mammal is provided. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed from the at least one nonaqueous solution in the wall to augment the wall. An apparatus for use in the procedure is provided.

Abstract: A method for treating a gastrointestinal tract in a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution to treat the wall. A kit for use in the procedure is provided.

Abstract: A method for forming a valve-like mechanism in a body of a mammal having an esophagus extending through a lower esophageal sphincter to a stomach and formed by a wall having a muscle layer and a mucosal layer. The method comprises the step of forming at least one implant in the muscle layer of the wall in the vicinity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The at least one implant inhibits opening of esophagus at the lower esophageal sphincter and causes the mucosal layer to appose in the vicinity of the implants.

Abstract: A method for treating a gastrointestinal tract in a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution to treat the wall. A kit for use in the procedure is provided.