RF valvulotome
First Claim
1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for performing a valvulotomy procedure on a vein to disable venous valves contained therein comprising:
- (a) an elongated, flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, the catheter being of a cross-sectional size permitting its insertion into a vein to be treated and having at the distal end thereof first and second spaced-apart paddle members dimensioned to fit within opposing pockets defining cusps of venous valves, the paddle members having opposed facing surfaces, each with a pattern of metallization thereon, and(b) a pair of conductors insulated from one another extending through the at least one lumen from the proximal end and individually electrically joined to the pattern of metallization on the spaced-apart paddle members.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A RF valvulotome and method of use is described. The valvulotome comprises an elongated, flexible polymeric tube or rod supporting a pair of paddle members at its distal end, the paddle members defining opposed facing surfaces having a gap therebetween. A pattern of metallization, comprising electrodes, are formed on the opposed facing surfaces and means are provided for applying RF energy between the electrodes after the instrument has been introduced into a vein and advanced to the point where the cusp of a vein valve is disposed in the gap. In a preferred embodiment, the paddles are movable toward and away from the center of the instrument and may incorporate a flushing lumen through which saline may be injected for effecting valve closure and facilitating placement of the paddle members within the pockets defining the valve. An optical-fiber bundle may also be passed through the lumen of the instrument to facilitate viewing of the internal vein structure as the catheter is being advanced.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for performing a valvulotomy procedure on a vein to disable venous valves contained therein comprising:
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(a) an elongated, flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, the catheter being of a cross-sectional size permitting its insertion into a vein to be treated and having at the distal end thereof first and second spaced-apart paddle members dimensioned to fit within opposing pockets defining cusps of venous valves, the paddle members having opposed facing surfaces, each with a pattern of metallization thereon, and (b) a pair of conductors insulated from one another extending through the at least one lumen from the proximal end and individually electrically joined to the pattern of metallization on the spaced-apart paddle members. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for performing a valvulotomy procedure on a vein to disable venous valves contained therein, comprising:
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(a) an elongated, flexible catheter having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen extending therebetween, the catheter being of a cross-sectional size permitting its insertion into a vein to be treated and having at its distal end thereof first and second relatively movable jaw members dimensioned to fit within opposing pockets defining cusps of the venous valves, the jaw members having opposed facing surfaces, each with a pattern of metallization thereon; (b) a pair of conductors insulated from one another extending through the at least one lumen from the proximal end and individually electrically joined to the pattern of metallization on the spaced-apart jaw members; and (c) means disposed at the proximal end of the catheter and operatively coupled to the jaw members for controlling the spacing between the opposed facing surfaces of the jaw members. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for performing a valvulotomy procedure comprising the steps of:
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(a) forming an incision through the wall of a vein at a predetermined location therealong; (b) inserting a catheter having a pair of paddle members at a distal end thereof through the incision, the paddle members of the pair each having opposed facing surfaces separated by a gap, the facing surfaces including electrodes comprising a pattern of metallization on the facing surfaces; (c) advancing the catheter through the vein until the cusps of a valve to be disabled are positioned in the gap; (d) applying RF energy between the electrodes sufficient to ablate the cusps; and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) for each valve encountered as the catheter is advanced in an upstream direction relative to normal direction of blood flow in the vein.
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Specification