Patent ID: 7066930

Claim:
A method for the treatment of Barrett's Esophagus to reverse esophageal lining disease comprising at least one of abnormal epithelial cells and secretory lining in the esophagus of a patient having red secretory esophageal lining disease, the method comprising: connecting a wavelength specific optical radiation energy source to an elongated wave guide having a distal end with an optical coupler thereon, said wave guide arranged within a lumen of a steerable endoscope, said optical coupler arranged with said wave guide to direct a treatment radiation to a target site; guiding said endoscope into the esophagus of the patient; energizing said optical energy source consisting of a pulsed dye laser to generate an optical radiation treatment beam; manipulating said distal end of said wave guide onto a target on said disease inside of said esophagus for the selective thermolysis of said target in said esophagus by said optical radiation treatment beam; causing said red secretory esophogeal lining to revert to normal tissue, wherein said optical radiation treatment beam has a fluence range of 4-1000 J/cm 2 ; moving said distal end of said wave guide towards and away from said red secretory lining of the esophagus to focus said optical radiation thereon; and arranging a grid pattern on said red secretory lining of the esophagus by a separate light source to permit a focused image for comparison with said treatment beam.