APPARATUS TO ELECTROSURGICALLY TREAT ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTERS

An apparatus to treat a sphincter includes a catheter means including a catheter means distal portion means. An energy delivery device means is coupled to the catheter means and includes a tissue piercing distal end. The energy delivery device means is configured to pierce a sphincter exterior surface, advance a sufficient distance in an interior of the sphincter to a tissue site, deliver energy to the tissue site and create controlled cell necrosis of the sphincter in order to reduce a frequency of sphincter relaxation. A cable means is coupled to the energy delivery device means.