Systems for treating a hollow anatomical structure
First Claim
1. An apparatus for use in treating a hollow anatomical structure (HAS), the apparatus comprising:
- an elongate member having a distal section and a proximal section, the elongate member being sized for insertion into a HAS;
a heating element located on the elongate member and having a first length;
wherein the heating element has a distal section and a proximal section and is configured to apply energy along a length of the HAS in consecutive treatment segments of the HAS;
a plurality of index markings marked on the elongate member;
wherein the index markings are configured to be movably indexed in a distal to proximal direction via movement of the elongate member in the distal to proximal direction to sequentially position the heating element axially along the length of the HAS;
at least one final marking distinct from the index markings and marked on the elongate member that indicates a final distance from said final marking to the proximal section of the heating element; and
a warning section marked on the elongate member, the warning section comprising a distinct marking different from the plurality of index markings and the at least one final marking;
wherein consecutive index markings are spaced apart by a second length, the second length being less than the first length to ensure overlap of consecutive treated segments of the HAS when the heating element is moved in the distal to proximal direction along the HAS.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A working end of a catheter includes at least one therapeutic element, such as a resistive heating element, usable to deliver energy for ligating, or reducing the diameter of, a hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, the catheter includes a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. In certain embodiments, a balloon is inflated to place resistive element(s) into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure. Indexing devices and methods are also disclosed for successively treating portions of the hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, marks along the catheter shaft provide visual verification to the physician of the relative position of the therapeutic element of the catheter. Embodiments of indexing devices may include pairs of rings and/or hinged arms that move a catheter a desired indexed position between successive treatments.
198 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for use in treating a hollow anatomical structure (HAS), the apparatus comprising:
-
an elongate member having a distal section and a proximal section, the elongate member being sized for insertion into a HAS; a heating element located on the elongate member and having a first length; wherein the heating element has a distal section and a proximal section and is configured to apply energy along a length of the HAS in consecutive treatment segments of the HAS; a plurality of index markings marked on the elongate member; wherein the index markings are configured to be movably indexed in a distal to proximal direction via movement of the elongate member in the distal to proximal direction to sequentially position the heating element axially along the length of the HAS; at least one final marking distinct from the index markings and marked on the elongate member that indicates a final distance from said final marking to the proximal section of the heating element; and a warning section marked on the elongate member, the warning section comprising a distinct marking different from the plurality of index markings and the at least one final marking; wherein consecutive index markings are spaced apart by a second length, the second length being less than the first length to ensure overlap of consecutive treated segments of the HAS when the heating element is moved in the distal to proximal direction along the HAS. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
-
-
5. An apparatus for treating a hollow anatomical structure (HAS), the apparatus comprising:
-
an elongate member having a distal section and a proximal section; a heating element on the elongate member and having a distal section and a proximal section; wherein the heating element has a first length; a plurality of index markings marked on the elongate member; wherein consecutive index markings are spaced apart by a second length, the second length being less than the first length to allow for overlap of consecutive treated segments of the HAS; at least one final marking marked on the elongate member that is distinct from the index markings and spaced proximally from the proximal section of the heating element to indicate a final treatment position of the heating element; and a warning section marked on the elongate member, wherein the warning section comprises a distinct marking different from the plurality of index markings and the at least one final marking. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. An apparatus for treating a hollow anatomical structure (HAS), the apparatus comprising:
-
an elongate member having a distal section and a proximal section; a heating element located on the elongate member and having a distal section, a proximal section, and a first length; a plurality of index markings marked on the elongate member, consecutive index markings being spaced apart by a second length that is less than or approximately equal to the first length; at least one final marking distinct from the index markings and marked on the elongate member to indicate a final distance from said final marking to the proximal section of the heating element; and a warning section marked on the elongate member, the warning section comprising a distinct marking different from the plurality of index markings and the at least one final marking. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification