DEVICE FOR TREATMENT OF DYSPHAGIA

Abstract

The present invention defines a device for the treatment of dysphagia comprising a flexible member mounting an imaging device for insertion into a patient and one or more electrodes proximate the imaging device for imparting electrical stimulation to the patient.

Claims

1: A device for the treatment of dysphagia comprising: a flexible member mounting an imaging device for insertion into a patient; and one or more electrodes proximate the imaging device for imparting electrical stimulation to the patient.

2: The device for the treatment of dysphagia according to claim 1 further comprising a sleeve movable relative to the flexible member, wherein the one or more electrodes are mounted on the sleeve.

3: The device for the treatment of dysphagia according to claim 1 further comprising a dog leg structure extending from the flexible member beyond the imaging device.

4: The device for the treatment of dysphagia according to claim 3, further comprising a sleeve movable relative to the dogleg structure.

5: The device for the treatment of dysphagia according to claim 4, wherein the one or more electrodes are mounted on the sleeve or the dogleg structure.

6: A device for the treatment of dysphagia comprising: a flexible member mounting an imaging device for insertion into a patient; and a sleeve movable relative to the flexible member, wherein the sleeve mounts one or more electrodes and is configured such that the one or more electrodes are freely movable relative to the imaging device along the flexible member.

7: A device for the treatment of dysphagia comprising: a first flexible member mounting an imaging device for insertion into a patient; a second flexible member extending from the first flexible member beyond the imaging device in parallel plane thereto; and one or more electrodes for imparting electrical stimulation to the patient.

8: The device for the treatment of dysphagia according to claim 7 further comprising a sleeve movable relative to the second flexible member, wherein the one or more electrodes are mounted on the sleeve and the sleeve is configured such that the one or more electrodes are freely movable relative to the imaging device along the second flexible member.

9: The device for the treatment of dysphagia according to claim 7, wherein the first flexible member and second flexible member together form a dogleg structure.

10-11. (canceled)

Description

FIGURES

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for treating dysphagia;

[0014] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device for treating dysphagia; and

[0015] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a device for treating dysphagia.

DESCRIPTION

[0016] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the figures.

[0017] In a first embodiment of the invention there is a catheter (10), in the form of a flexible endoscope, with electrodes (12, 14) designed to deliver electrical stimulation to target tissues. The electrodes (12, 14) are integrated into the body of the endoscope (10) at a fixed position proximal an imaging device (16) part of the endoscope (10). The imaging device (16) part of the endoscope is positioned at an end of the endoscope (10). Within the body of the flexible endoscope (10) there are current carrying means to connect the electrodes (12, 14) to a source of electrical stimulation external to the patient.

[0018] In a second embodiment there is a catheter in the form of a flexible endoscope (100) having an imaging device (108) at one end thereof with a sleeve (102) located on it such that the sleeve (102) is freely moveable along the length of the endoscope (100), and located on the sleeve (102) are one or more electrodes (104, 106) designed to deliver electrical stimulation to target tissues. Within the body of the sleeve (102) there are current carrying means to connect the electrodes (104, 106) to a source of electrical stimulation external to the patient.

[0019] In a third embodiment there is a catheter in the form of a flexible endoscope (200) with an extended structure (202) distal to an imaging device (204) located at an end of the flexible endoscope (200), the extended structure (202) incorporating one or more electrodes (206, 208) designed to deliver electrical stimulation to target tissues. The electrodes (206, 208) in this extended structure (202) may be either fixed and integrated into said extended structure (202), or may be disposed on a sleeve (210as shown in FIG. 4) that is freely moveable along the length of the extended structure (202), such movement being controllable externally. In the latter case the electrodes (206, 208) can then be moved relative to the position, and additionally within the field of view, of the imaging device (204). Within the body of the flexible endoscope (200) or the body of the sleeve (210) there are current carrying means to connect the electrodes to a source of electrical stimulation external to the patient.