Methods and apparatus for coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures
First Claim
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1. A method of treating a vessel at a treatment site, the method comprising:
- employing an energy-emitting probe, the probe comprising;
an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and
an energy element adjacent the distal end, the energy element comprising a generally spherical or toroidal first electrode disposed near the distal end of the shaft and a second electrode located proximally of the first electrode along the elongate shaft;
accessing the vessel through the skin with a needle and cannula assembly;
removing the needle from the cannula;
advancing the probe through the cannula to the treatment site;
applying energy to the vessel with the energy element, thereby constricting the vessel, wherein the energy is applied to the vessel extravascularly; and
removing the probe and the cannula.
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Abstract
An energy delivering probe is used for thermally coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures (HAS) including, but not limited to, blood vessels such as perforator veins. The probe includes a shaft and at least two electrodes where at least one of the electrodes has a generally spherical or toroidal geometry.
172 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of treating a vessel at a treatment site, the method comprising:
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employing an energy-emitting probe, the probe comprising; an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an energy element adjacent the distal end, the energy element comprising a generally spherical or toroidal first electrode disposed near the distal end of the shaft and a second electrode located proximally of the first electrode along the elongate shaft; accessing the vessel through the skin with a needle and cannula assembly; removing the needle from the cannula; advancing the probe through the cannula to the treatment site; applying energy to the vessel with the energy element, thereby constricting the vessel, wherein the energy is applied to the vessel extravascularly; and removing the probe and the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of treating a vessel at a treatment site, the method comprising:
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employing an energy-emitting probe, the probe comprising; an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and an energy element adjacent the distal end, the energy element comprising a first electrode disposed near the distal end of the shaft and a second electrode located proximally of the first electrode along the elongate shaft, the first electrode having a generally spherical or toroidal outer surface in a proximal region, and a linear taper in a distal region; accessing the vessel through the skin with a needle and cannula assembly; removing the needle from the cannula; advancing the probe through the cannula to the treatment site; applying energy to the vessel with the energy element, thereby constricting the vessel, wherein the energy is applied to the vessel extravascularly; and removing the probe and the cannula. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification