Abstract: An ablation catheter system and method of use is provided to endoscopically access portions of the human esophagus experiencing undesired growth of columnar epithelium. The ablation catheter system and method includes controlled depth of ablation features and use of either radio frequency spectrum, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, warm fluid or microwave radiation, which may also be accompanied by improved sensitizer agents.

Abstract: Devices and methods for ablating tissue in the wall of various organs of the gastrointestinal tract of a patient in order to cure or ameliorate metabolic pathophysiological conditions such as obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes mellitus are provided. Ablational treatment of target areas may be fractional or partial, rendering a post-treatment portion of target tissue ablated and another portion that is substantially intact. Fractional ablation is achieved by controlling the delivery of ablational energy across the surface area being treated, and controlling the depth of energy penetration into tissue. Surface area control of energy delivery may controlled by the spatial pattern of distributed ablation elements or by the selective activation of a subset of a dense pattern of ablation elements. Embodiments of the device include an ablational electrode array that spans 360 degrees and an array that spans an arc of less than 360 degrees.

Abstract: A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

Abstract: A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

Abstract: A device for creating a pattern of perforations in a tissue, comprising a treating surface coupled to a distal end of the elongated member and configured to be positioned adjacent one or more tissue planes, a plurality of electrodes extending outwardly from at least one surface of the treating surface and adapted for creating simultaneous perforations in one or more tissue layers, wherein the electrodes are provided in a pattern to impart a corresponding pattern of perforations in the one or more tissue layers. Methods of using the device and methods of creating perforations in one or more layers of tissues are also provided.

Abstract: A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gum disease includes a light producing dental appliance that is accessible exteriorly of the body for placement within the mouth of the patient to expose the mouth to light radiation of a selected wavelength and in an amount that is effective for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms and especially Porphyromona gingivalis within the mouth of the patient such that the bacterial load carried to the heart is diminished thereby reducing or eliminating the symptoms of coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis vascular inflammation and plaque formation.

Abstract: A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy source transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described that includes a catheter and a penetrating member at a distal end of the catheter for penetrating a tissue. The penetrating member can have a lumen in communication with the catheter, the lumen having an opening at a surface of the penetrating member to deliver a substance through the lumen. The device includes means for determining a location of the opening relative to the tissue.

Abstract: To prevent intimal hyperplasia within a dialysis graft, a flexible tube comprising the dialysis graft is coated interiorly before placement with an anticarcinogen or mitosis-inhibiting agent for preventing cell division. The graft can also be irradiated with light energy by directing light into the lumen of the tube that has been grafted in place, thereby preventing or reducing dialysis graft intimal hyperplasia and reducing inflammation. The light source can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a chemical light source, i.e., a chemiluminescent substance for producing cool light energy within the graft to prevent or reduce the symptoms of GIH. When phototherapy is used, the body is exposed to light radiation at the site of the graft in sufficient amount to prevent undesired cell proliferation within the vessels, the graft, or surrounding tissue where the invention is used without detectable damage to body tissue. For various applications, visible light can be used, e.g.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a body portion that includes a shaft terminating in a distal head or tip for directing light radiation from the apparatus onto the lining of a body cavity for treating an ailment in a body cavity of a patient as for example a gastrointestinal ailment of a patient such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric cancer, gastric lymphoma, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease as well as for treating diseases of the circulatory system, urogenital systems and other body cavities. During use, the shaft of the apparatus is inserted into a body cavity, e.g., stomach or colon, of the patient to place the distal tip of the shaft in the desired position. The body cavity of the patient is then irradiated with light radiation so as to kill or debilitate microorganisms lining the body cavity without serious destruction of the body tissue of the patient to thereby improve or alleviate one or more of the symptoms of the ailment.

Abstract: A device includes a patch or bandage, applied on or adjacent to a specific external surface of a human or animal body part, which delivers light of varying wavelengths, intensity and duration for treatment of various diseases or abnormalities.

Abstract: A system for treating abnormal mucosa in an esophagus comprises an access catheter, an energy delivery structure near a distal end of the access catheter, and a power supply for delivering energy through the energy delivery structure under conditions which injure or ablate the mucosal layer of the esophageal wall without causing substantial injury or heating of the submucosal layer. By injuring or necrosing metaplastic or other abnormal mucosal cells, regrowth of the mucosa substantially free from abnormal cells can be initiated.

Abstract: Atherosclerotic vascular disease is treated by exposing the interior of an artery or vein to visible or ultraviolet light of a selected spectrum to thereby sterilize the artery, eradicating infectious pathogens and reverse the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic artery disease. A fiber optic bundle positioned via an intra-arterial catheter is connected to an appropriate light radiation source located outside of the body during treatment. In another form, the light energy is produced by means of a light energy source located at the distal tip of the instrument shaft positioned centrally within the atherosclerotic plaque formation. In this case, the power source at the distal tip of the instrument can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a transparent tube containing a chemilumlumenescent substance for producing cool light energy within the vessel to destroy the pathogenic microorganisms in the surrounding plaque or vessel without damage to the body tissue of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a catheter for insertion into a stomach to introduce air into the stomach through the catheter and a pressure measurement device associated with the catheter to sense a pressure in the stomach. The pressure measurement device is used to determine a gastric yield pressure of the stomach when enough air has been introduced to the stomach to overcome the esophageal-gastric junction.

Abstract: A method, and system, are provided treating a tissue site of a tissue structure that has at least a first and a second tissue plane. An energy delivery device is provided. A barrier is created between the first and second tissue planes. At least a portion of an energy delivery device is positioned at the tissue site. Sufficient energy is delivered from the energy delivery device to create cell necrosis of at least a portion of the first tissue plane.

Abstract: A surgical apparatus has a body portion that includes a shaft terminating in a distal head or tip and a means for directing light radiation from the apparatus onto the lining of a body cavity for treating an ailment in a body cavity of a patient as for example a gastrointestinal ailment of a patient such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric cancer, gastric lymphoma, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease as well as for treating diseases of the circulatory system, urogenital systems and other body cavities. The method of use of the apparatus comprises inserting the shaft of the apparatus into a body cavity, e.g., stomach or colon, of the patient to place the distal tip of the shaft in the desired position. The body cavity of the patient is then irradiated with light radiation so as to kill or debilitate microorganisms lining the body cavity without serious destruction of the body tissue of the patient to thereby improve or alleviate one or more of the symptoms of the ailment.

Abstract: An ablation catheter system and method of use is provided to endoscopically access portions of the human esophagus experiencing undesired growth of columnar epithelium. The ablation catheter system and method includes controlled depth of ablation features and use of either radio frequency spectrum, non-ionizing ultraviolet radiation, warm fluid or microwave radiation, which may also be accompanied by improved sensitizer agents.

Abstract: A lower esophageal sphincter tightening device for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease which includes an insertion device, an energy source, and an energy transmitting device. The insertion device, by insertion through a body opening, positions the energy transmitting device in the proximity of the lower esophageal sphincter. The energy source generates and transmits energy via the insertion device to the energy transmitting device which directs the transmitted energy onto the lower esophageal sphincter which is comprised largely of collagen. The energy sources transmits energy at a level sufficient to cause heating of the sphincter's collagen resulting in a shrinkage of the collagen and a tightening of the sphincter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating gum disease includes a light producing dental appliance that is accessible exteriorly of the body for placement within the mouth of the patient to expose the mouth to light radiation of a selected wavelength and in an amount that is effective for killing or debilitating pathogenic microorganisms and especially Porphyromona gingivalis within the mouth of the patient such that the bacterial load carried to the heart is diminished thereby reducing or eliminating the symptoms of coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis vascular inflammation and plaque formation.