Patent ID: 9107674
Filing Date: 2015-08-18
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A method of treating a sphincter in a patient comprising the steps of: providing a device having an expandable structure, an electrode and a distal tail extending distally of the expandable structure, the expandable structure having an array of spines to define a basket assembly positioned at a distal portion of the device, the distal tail having a distal opening and an orifice positioned proximally of the distal opening; inserting a guidewire through a mouth of the patient and into an esophagus to a targeted site at the sphincter; threading a free proximal end of the guidewire through the distal opening in the distal tail such that the guidewire exits the orifice distal of the expandable structure so that the guidewire does not extend through the expandable structure, wherein the distal tail includes a slot in a side wall communicating with a lumen in the distal tail and the step of threading the guidewire through the distal opening results in the guidewire extending through the slot; advancing the device along the guidewire to the target site with the guidewire outside the expandable structure; expanding the expandable structure; and applying energy to the electrode to treat the sphincter.