Patent ID: 9204926
Filing Date: 2015-12-08
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for treating tissue in the anal canal to treat fecal incontinence, the device comprising a handle portion; a tubular barrel extending from the handle portion and sized and configured for insertion into the anal canal through an anal orifice, the barrel having a proximal portion and a distal portion and terminating in a blunt tip, the barrel further including an array of openings at the distal portion, the array of openings arranged along an arcuate segment of the barrel, wherein the device includes a viewing port at the proximal portion in line with a hollow interior of the barrel to enable a user to look into the hollow interior of the barrel from the proximal portion; an array of needle electrodes with penetrating tips, the needle electrodes advanceable from a first position within the barrel to a second extended position so the penetrating tips extend radially from the barrel to pierce sphincter muscle above the dentate line; and an actuator for advancing the needle electrodes, the needle electrodes mounted along the arcuate segment of the barrel, the barrel enabling visualization of the target tissue within the anal canal via the viewing port, and the needle electrodes applying energy to the sphincter muscle to treat tissue in the anal canal to treat fecal incontinence, wherein the needle electrodes are biased with an antegrade bend and are bent in a same direction with respect to the arcuate segment.