Expandable vein ligator catheter and method of use
First Claim
1. An apparatus for ligating a hollow anatomical structure having an inner wall, comprising:
- a catheter having a sheath and a working end, wherein a tip, a port and an opening are located at the working end of the catheter, and the port is in fluid communication with a lumen;
a balloon located at the working end of the catheter, wherein the port is located between the balloon and the tip;
an inner member disposed within the sheath such that the inner member and the sheath are capable of being moved relative to one another;
a plurality of leads, each lead having a distal end, the plurality of leads being coupled with the inner member such that the distal ends of the plurality of leads become extended out of the opening at the working end of the catheter when the sheath is moved relative to the inner member, each lead being formed to move the distal end away from a longitudinal axis defined by the sheath when the plurality of leads are extended out the opening and into non-penetrating apposition with the inner wall of the hollow anatomical structure;
wherein the distal end of each lead is capable of delivering energy to the inner wall of the anatomical structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to occlude the structure before the application of energy. Where the structure is a vein, the inflated balloon obstructs blood flow and facilitates the infusion of saline, medication, or a high-impedance fluid to the vein in order to reduce the occurrence of coagulation and to improve the heating of the vein by the catheter. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery.
287 Citations
9 Claims
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1. An apparatus for ligating a hollow anatomical structure having an inner wall, comprising:
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a catheter having a sheath and a working end, wherein a tip, a port and an opening are located at the working end of the catheter, and the port is in fluid communication with a lumen; a balloon located at the working end of the catheter, wherein the port is located between the balloon and the tip; an inner member disposed within the sheath such that the inner member and the sheath are capable of being moved relative to one another; a plurality of leads, each lead having a distal end, the plurality of leads being coupled with the inner member such that the distal ends of the plurality of leads become extended out of the opening at the working end of the catheter when the sheath is moved relative to the inner member, each lead being formed to move the distal end away from a longitudinal axis defined by the sheath when the plurality of leads are extended out the opening and into non-penetrating apposition with the inner wall of the hollow anatomical structure; wherein the distal end of each lead is capable of delivering energy to the inner wall of the anatomical structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification