Methods and systems for performing submucosal medical procedures

摘要

Instruments, systems and methods are provided for performing submucosal medical procedures in a desired area of the digestive tract using endoscopy. Instruments include a safe access needle injection instrument, a submucosal tunneling instrument, a submucosal dissection instrument, a mucosal resection device. Systems include a combination of one or more of such instruments with or without injectable agents. Embodiments of various methods for performing the procedures are also provided.

主权项

1. A method of performing a submucosal medical procedure in a mammal, comprising:
defining a submucosal space by forming at least a submucosal tunnel extending longitudinally beneath a mucosal layer and above a muscular layer of an esophagus, the submucosal tunnel formed by expanding an expandable member substantially greater in length than in diameter, the mucosal layer encompassing a lower esophageal sphincter; identifying a circular muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter; delivering an endoscopic cutting instrument into the submucosal space; incising completely across said circular muscle with said cutting instrument; and removing the cutting instrument from the patient.