Endoluminal electro-occlusion detection apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing endoluminal occlusion in a mammalian body, comprising:
- an alternating current (AC) power generator having a frequency in the radio frequency range and having a pre-determined output signal for producing an occlusion when said generator is coupled to a first electrode and a second electrode to form in-part an electro-occlusion drive circuit;
a first electrode electrically coupled to said generator;
a second electrode electrically coupled to said generator and forming in-part with said generator and said first electrode an electro-occlusion drive circuit; and
a reflected power monitoring circuit coupled to said electro-occlusion drive circuit for indicating endoluminal occlusion by monitoring a reflected power signal toward the generator from the first electrode when said first electrode energized with the output signal.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for occluding a lumen, such as a vessel, in a mammal using alternating current and monitoring reflected power from the occlusion site to determine vessel constriction and/or electrocoagulation. The apparatus is provided with an alternating current (AC) power generator, a first electrode electrically coupled to the generator, a dispersive electrode electrically coupled to the generator and forming in-part with the generator and the first electrode a drive circuit and a reflected power monitoring circuit coupled to the drive circuit for monitoring power reflected back toward the generator from the first electrode. With this construction, occlusion and/or thermocoagulation can be accurately detected so that the power delivered to the first electrode when positioned in the mammal can be terminated. In this manner, the risk of overheating tissue in the vicinity of the constricted vessel is minimized or eliminated.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing endoluminal occlusion in a mammalian body, comprising:
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an alternating current (AC) power generator having a frequency in the radio frequency range and having a pre-determined output signal for producing an occlusion when said generator is coupled to a first electrode and a second electrode to form in-part an electro-occlusion drive circuit; a first electrode electrically coupled to said generator; a second electrode electrically coupled to said generator and forming in-part with said generator and said first electrode an electro-occlusion drive circuit; and a reflected power monitoring circuit coupled to said electro-occlusion drive circuit for indicating endoluminal occlusion by monitoring a reflected power signal toward the generator from the first electrode when said first electrode energized with the output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for providing endoluminal occlusion in a mammalian body, comprising:
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an alternating current (AC) power generator having a frequency in the radio frequency range and having a pre-determined output signal for producing an occlusion when said generator is coupled to a first electrode and a second electrode to form in-part an electro-occlusion drive circuit; a first electrode electrically coupled to said generator; a second electrode electrically coupled to said generator and forming in-part with said generator and said first electrode an electro-occlusion drive circuit; and a directional coupler coupled to said electro-occlusion drive circuit for indicating endoluminal occlusion by detecting a reflected power signal from the first electrode when said first electrode is energized with the output signal.
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11. A method for occluding a lumen in a mammal, comprising the steps of:
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(a) delivering an occlusion device to a desired site within the mammal; (b) applying an alternating current signal to the occlusion device to form an occlusion; (c) monitoring a reflected power signal from the occlusion device during step (b) in order to indicate endoluminal occlusion. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification