Apparatus for in situ saphenous vein bypass and less-invasive varicose vein treatment

• US 6,267,758 B1
• Filed: 01/28/1997
• Issued: 07/31/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lumenis Limited (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: ESC Medical Systems, Ltd (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Brustad, John R., Acosta, George M., Daw, Derek J.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US08/789,266
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 606/27-34, 606/37-42, 606/45-52, 607/100-102, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22097 Valve removal in veins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/4233 Operations on Fallopian tubes, e.g. sterilization A61B2017/1125 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00119 with metal oxide nitride
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00684 using lookup tables
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00761 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00779 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00803 with temperature prediction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00869 Phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00886 Duration
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/044 : the surgical action being effected by a circulating hot fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension

Abstract

An apparatus for in situ saphenous vein bypass includes an operating catheter which includes an optical fiber and an electrode, and a control catheter which includes a valvulotome. The operating catheter and control catheter are locked together and advanced through an incision in the leg. The catheters are closely spaced from each other, on opposite sides of a valve to be disrupted. Then, the valvulotome is manipulated to disrupt the valve, the electrode is manipulated to stanch blood flow from the valve and to close off side branches, and both procedures are viewed by means of the optical fiber. The valves of the saphenous vein are thusly disrupted in sequence, and the side branches to the saphenous vein closed off, to thereby modify the saphenous vein in situ for arterial use. In alternate embodiments, the electrode is used with delivery catheters to stop blood flow through a side branch or varicose vein. The electrode includes an embedded temperature sensor for sensing electrode temperature.

Claims

1. A method for using a less-invasive electrode to stop blood flow through a blood vessel in situ in a patient, comprising the steps of:

(a) making a percutaneous incision in the patient;

(b) advancing the electrode into the vessel near a wall thereof through the incision;

(c) establishing contact between the wall of the vessel and the electrode by manually pressing the vessel; and

(d) energizing the electrode until the vessel collapses around the electrode to thereby block blood flow through the vessel.

2. A method for treating a vessel within a body, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an electrode;

(b) percutaneously advancing the electrode into the vessel such that the electrode is juxtaposed with the wall of the vessel;

(c) establishing contact between the wall of the vessel and the electrode; and

(d) energizing the electrode until the vessel collapses around the electrode to thereby block blood flow through the vessel.