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

1-11. (canceled)

12. A method of treating a patient suffering from dysphagia, the method comprising: inserting a flexible member carrying an imaging device and an electrode into a pharynx of the patient such that the electrode is positioned at a treatment site within the pharynx; visualizing the electrode at the treatment site with the imaging device; and delivering electrical stimulation energy to the treatment site with the electrode.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrode is movable relative to the imaging device along a length of the flexible member.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the treatment site is a first candidate treatment site, the method further comprising moving the electrode from the first candidate treatment site to a second candidate treatment site spaced apart from the first candidate treatment site.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the electrode from the first candidate treatment site to the second candidate treatment site occurs without movement of the imaging device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the electrode from the first candidate treatment site to the second candidate treatment site occurs after visualizing the electrode at the first candidate treatment site with the imaging device.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the electrode from the first candidate treatment site to the second candidate treatment site occurs before delivering the electrical stimulation energy.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the electrode from the first candidate treatment site to the second candidate treatment site occurs after visualizing the electrode at the first candidate treatment site and before delivering the electrical stimulation energy.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the second candidate treatment site.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the electrode from the first candidate treatment site to the second candidate treatment site occurs while delivering the electrical stimulation energy.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the electrode from the first candidate treatment site to the second candidate treatment site occurs after visualizing the electrode at the first candidate treatment site and while delivering the electrical stimulation energy.

22. The method of claim 12, further comprising moving the flexible member within the pharynx such that the electrode contacts tissues of the pharynx at the treatment site.

23. The method of claim 12, wherein the flexible member has a closed distal end.

24. The method of claim 12, wherein the imaging device is a camera.

25. The method of claim 12, further comprising visualizing a behavior of tissues of the pharynx at the treatment site in response to the electrical stimulation energy with the imaging device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the behavior comprises a muscular contraction.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the behavior comprises protection of airways of the patient.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the behavior comprises clearing of residues.

29. The method of claim 12, wherein the flexible member is inserted nasally into the pharynx.

30. The method of claim 12, wherein the flexible member is inserted via one nostril of the patient into the pharynx.

Description

FIGURES

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device for treating dysphagia;

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a device for treating dysphagia; and

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a device for treating dysphagia.

DESCRIPTION

[0017] Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the figures.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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 (210—as shown in FIG. 3) 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.