Method for treating venous insufficiency using directionally applied energy

• US 20060069417A1
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Laufer, Michael D., Parker, Mark P., Farley, Brian E., Petty, Douglas M., Henderson, Dawn A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,976,536 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/101
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00008 Vein tendon strippers tube strippers A61M1/83
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22097 Valve removal in veins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00154 containing and delivering drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00744 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00755 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1465 : Deformable electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1497 : Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference

Abstract

A catheter introduces electrodes in a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency by the application of energy to cause selective heating of the vein. The catheter is positioned within the vein to be treated, and the electrodes on the catheter are moved toward one side of the vein. RF energy is applied in a directional manner from the electrodes at the working end of the catheter to cause localized heating and corresponding shrinkage of the adjacent venous tissue, which may include commissures, leaflets and ostia. Fluoroscopy or ultrasound may be used to detect shrinkage of the vein. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter can be repositioned to place the electrodes to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

Claims

1. A method of selectively applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure, comprising:

introducing a catheter having a working end and an energy application device having an energy emitting portion located at the working end, into a hollow anatomical structure having collagen fibrils;

positioning the energy application device at a treatment site within the hollow anatomical structure such that the energy emitting portion is insulated from contact with bodily fluid contained in the hollow anatomical structure;

applying energy from the energy application device to only a circumferential portion of the hollow anatomical structure to structurally alter the collagen in the hollow anatomical structure so as to lead to a smaller diameter for the treated hollow anatomical structure.

2. The method of applying energy of claim 1, wherein the energy application device determines the shape the treated hollow anatomical structure will assume after the step of applying energy to the hollow anatomical structure.

3. The method of applying energy of claim 1, wherein the energy application device determines the size the treated hollow anatomical structure will assume after the step of applying energy to the hollow anatomical structure.

4. The method of applying energy of claim 1, wherein the step of applying energy does not cause significant coagulation of bodily fluid within the hollow anatomical structure.

5. The method of applying energy of claim 1, wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying RF energy, and the energy application device includes a plurality of expandable electrodes.

6. The method of applying energy of claim 1, wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying laser energy, wherein the energy application device includes an optical fiber connected to a laser.

7. The method of applying energy of claim 1, wherein during the step of applying energy, the energy emitting portion of the energy application device is in apposition with the tissue of the hollow anatomical structure.