Method and apparatus for treating venous insufficiency

• US 7,976,536 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2005
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Laufer, Michael D., Parker, Mark P., Farley, Brian E., Petty, Douglas M., Henderson, Dawn A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Farah; Ahmed M
• Application Number:
  US11/280,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20060069417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,064 Days
• Field of Search: 606/7, 606 13- 16, 607/88, 607/89, 607/92, 128/898
• US Class Current: 606/15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00008 Vein tendon strippers tube strippers A61M1/83
• 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 2017/22051 with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22097 Valve removal in veins
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00011 with fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00154 containing and delivering drugs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00214 Expandable means emitting energy, e.g. by elements carried thereon
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0022 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00267 having a basket shaped structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00285 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00488 Esophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00744 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00755 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1465 : Deformable electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1497 : Electrodes covering only part of the probe circumference

Abstract

A catheter introduces electrodes in a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency by the application of energy to cause selective heating of the vein. The catheter is positioned within the vein to be treated, and the electrodes on the catheter are moved toward one side of the vein. RF energy is applied in a directional manner from the electrodes at the working end of the catheter to cause localized heating and corresponding shrinkage of the adjacent venous tissue, which may include commissures, leaflets and ostia. Fluoroscopy or ultrasound may be used to detect shrinkage of the vein. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter can be repositioned to place the electrodes to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

an elongate member sized for insertion into a vein, said elongate member comprising an optical fiber, said optical fiber having a distal end;

said elongate member further comprising an energy-directing tip surrounding said distal end of said optical fiber;

said energy-directing tip forming a barrier preventing contact between said distal end of said optical fiber and a wall of the vein, an outer surface of said barrier comprising a vein wall contact surface;

said energy-directing tip defining an output channel, said output channel having a material composition differing from that of the barrier, said output channel configured to permit energy exiting said distal end of said optical fiber to propagate into the wall of the vein at a level sufficient to reduce the diameter of the vein.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a radially extendable positioner member located in a distal region of said elongate member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a positioner member located in a distal region of said elongate member, said positioner member extending radially outward away from said optical fiber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said energy-directing tip comprises a tubular member surrounding said distal end of said optical fiber.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said optical fiber is located within a catheter, and said catheter and optical fiber are slidable relative to each other.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light source configured to emit a beam of light through said optical fiber and through said output channel, said beam of light being of sufficient intensity to reduce the diameter of the vein.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light source configured to emit a beam of light through said optical fiber and through said output channel, said beam of light being of sufficient intensity to structurally alter the collagen in the vein wall.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate member has a non-tissue penetrating distal tip.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises a single optical fiber.