Method and apparatus for electrosurgically obtaining access to the biliary tree and placing a stent therein

摘要

A method of electrosurgically obtaining access to the biliary tree of a patient and visualizing a duct thereof using a catheter having a least a first lumen and a second lumen. The first lumen has a needle-knife disposed therein, which knife may be moved between a deployed position and a sheathed position and is in electrical communication with a power source. The method includes the steps of (1) inserting the catheter through an endoscope and into the duodenum of a patient proximal to the entrance to the common bile duct, (2) deploying the needle-knife, (3) manipulating the needle-knife and applying current thereto to incise tissue proximal to the entrance to the common bile duct, (4) withdrawing the needle-knife into the sheathed position, (5) advancing the catheter into the common bile duct to a desired location within said duct; and (6) infusing a contrast medium through a second lumen of the catheter to visualize the common bile duct through the use of the contrast medium while the needle-knife remains in the first lumen of the catheter.