Method of treating the inner lining of an organ using a bipolar electrosurgical instrument including a plurality of balloon electrodes

Claim 1

A method of heating the inner lining of a lumen or cavity of a patient, said method comprising comprises the steps of: providing a bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising: a flexible elongated tube having a proximal and a distal end; a first balloon electrode attached to said distal end of said flexible elongated tube wherein said first balloon electrode comprises: a first expandable sleeve formed from an electrically insulating material; a first electrically conductive fluid in said expandable sleeve; a first electrode in electrical contact with said first electrically conductive fluid; a return balloon electrode spaced proximally from said first balloon electrode such that a-distal end of said return balloon electrode is separated from a proximal end of said first balloon electrode by a distance which is at least twice the length of said first balloon electrode, wherein said return balloon electrode comprises: a second expandable sleeve formed from an electrically insulating material; a second electrically conductive fluid disposed within said second expandable sleeve; and a return electrode in electrical contact with said second electrically conductive fluid; placing said first balloon electrode and said return balloon electrode into contact with the inner lining of said lumen or cavity; positioning said return balloon electrode proximal to said first balloon electrode; and connecting said first electrode and said return electrode to a source of bipolar energy.

Claim 2

A method of heating the inner lining of a lumen or cavity of a patient, said method comprising comprises the steps of: providing a bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising: a flexible elongated tube having a proximal and a distal end; a first balloon electrode attached to said distal end of said flexible elongated tube wherein said first balloon electrode comprises: a first expandable sleeve formed from an electrically insulating material; a first electrically conductive fluid in said expandable sleeve; a first electrode in electrical contact with said first electrically conductive fluid; a return balloon electrode spaced proximally from said first balloon electrode such that a-distal end of said return balloon electrode is separated from a proximal end of said first balloon electrode by a distance which is at least twice the length of said first balloon electrode, wherein said return balloon electrode comprises: a second expandable sleeve formed from an electrically insulating material; a second electrically conductive fluid disposed within said second expandable sleeve; and a return electrode in electrical contact with said second electrically conductive fluid; placing said first balloon electrode and said return balloon electrode into contact with the inner lining of said lumen or cavity; positioning said return balloon electrode proximal to said first balloon electrode; and connecting said first electrode and said return electrode to a source of bipolar energy.

Claim 7

A method for heating the inner lining of a lumen or cavity of a patient, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a first electrosurgical balloon at a first surgical treatment site adjacent a first portion of said lining, the first surgical treatment site having a first length; positioning a second electrosurgical balloon at a second site adjacent a second portion of said lining and proximal to the first surgical treatment site, and where said second site is located a second length from said first site, wherein said second length is at least twice said first length; coupling said first electrosurgical balloon to said second electrosurgical balloon through an electrosurgical generator; inflating said first and second electrosurgical balloons until said first and second electrosurgical balloons are in contact with said inner lining; applying electrosurgical energy to said first and second electrosurgical balloons such that electric current flows through at least a portion of said lining.

Claim 8

A method for heating the inner lining of a lumen or cavity of a patient, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a first electrosurgical balloon at a first surgical treatment site adjacent a first portion of said lining, the first surgical treatment site having a first length; positioning a second electrosurgical balloon at a second site adjacent a second portion of said lining and proximal to the first surgical treatment site, and where said second site is located a second length from said first site, wherein said second length is at least twice said first length; coupling said first electrosurgical balloon to said second electrosurgical balloon through an electrosurgical generator; inflating said first and second electrosurgical balloons until said first and second electrosurgical balloons are in contact with said inner lining; applying electrosurgical energy to said first and second electrosurgical balloons such that electric current flows through at least a portion of said lining.