INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR THE ENDOSCOPICALLY CONTROLLED SHORTENING AND/OR FRAGMENTATION OF STENTS LOCATED IN THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT, BRONCHOTRACHEAL SYSTEM, OR OTHER HOLLOW ORGANS

摘要

Disclosed are an instrument and a method for the endoscopically controlled shortening and/or fragmentation of stents that are located in the gastrointestinal tract, bronchotracheal system, or other hollow organs and are made of electrically conducting material. The inventive instrument comprises an electrode device with an electrode for introducing an HF current into at least one wire of the stent and/or generating electric arcs between the electrode and the at least one wire. A protective device is also provided which is configured and connected to the electrode device in such a way that the wire can be separated and/or moved away from tissue of the gastrointestinal tract, bronchotracheal system, or other hollow organs with the aid thereof when the HF current is introduced and/or electric arcs are generated. The inventive method essentially encompasses the following steps: HF current is introduced into at least one wire and/or electric arcs are generated between the electrode and the wire once the instrument has been advanced to the hollow organ and to the stent, the wire has been separated and/or moved away from tissue, and the wire has been placed at least in the vicinity of the electrode by means of the protective device. The wire can thus be cut by a heating and fusing process. The steps for shortening and/or fragmenting the stent are to be repeated as required. The inventive instrument and method are to make it possible to prevent tissue lying directly adjacent to the point where current and/or heat is/are applied and tissue located at a distance therefrom from being damaged as far as possible.