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  Systems and methods for treating a hollow anatomical structureUSPTO Application #: 20070016272Title: Systems and methods for treating a hollow anatomical structure Abstract: A catheter includes multiple primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes a resistive element located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the leads such that each lead can individually receive power. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. Energy is applied until the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced to the point where occlusion is achieved. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to place the resistive elements into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure before the application of energy. The inflated balloon impairs blood flow and facilitates the infusion of saline, or medication, to the hollow anatomical structure in order to reduce the occurrence of coagulation and to improve the heating of the structure by the catheter. (end of abstract)
Agent: Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP - Irvine, CA, US Inventors: Russell Blake Thompson, Arthur Wayne Zikorus, Fiona Maria Sander, Vijay Kumar Dhaka, Brady David Esch USPTO Applicaton #: 20070016272 - Class: 607096000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Surgery: Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Light, Thermal, And Electrical Application, Thermal Applicators The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070016272. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/613,415 filed on Sep. 27, 2004, and entitled "RESISTIVE ELEMENT SYSTEM," and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/701,303 filed on Jul. 21, 2005, and entitled "RESISTIVE ELEMENT SYSTEM," each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and is to be considered a part of this specification. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for applying energy to constrict and/or shrink a hollow anatomical structure such as a vein, and more particularly, a method and apparatus to conduct electrical current and/or heat to the wall of the hollow anatomical structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] In one embodiment, a catheter comprises an elongate shaft and a resistive heating element located near the distal end of the elongate shaft. A temperature-sensing element is located in proximity to the resistive heating element, and may be centered along the length of the heating element, or offset from center. The resistive heating element may comprise a coil, and the coil may be of a constant pitch or of a varying pitch. [0005] In one embodiment, a catheter comprises an elongate shaft and a resistive heating element located near the distal end of the elongate shaft. A sheath is slidably disposed on the shaft. The sheath and catheter are relatively moveable between a first configuration in which the sheath covers substantially all of the resistive heating element, and a second configuration in which the sheath covers less than substantially all of the resistive heating element. The resistive heating element may comprise a coil, and the coil may be of a constant pitch or of a varying pitch. [0006] In another embodiment, a catheter system comprises an elongate shaft and an energy-emission element located near the distal end of the elongate shaft. The energy-emission element optionally includes a plurality of emission segments, and each of the segments is independently operable to emit energy into the surroundings of the energy-emission element. Optionally, the catheter system further comprises a power source drivingly connected to the emission segments. The power source is operable pursuant to a multiplexing algorithm to deliver power to, and operate, the emission segments in a multiplexed fashion. In one embodiment, the energy-emission element comprises a resistive element such as a resistive coil. In another embodiment, the energy-emission element comprises an RF emitter. [0007] In another embodiment, a catheter system comprises an elongate shaft and an energy-emission element located distal of the elongate shaft. The energy-emission element has an effective axial length along which the energy-emission element emits energy. The effective axial length is adjustable. [0008] In another embodiment, a catheter comprises an elongate shaft and an expandable shaft located on a distal portion of the elongate shaft. A number of heater elements are expandable by a balloon. The heater elements may have a wavy, sinusoidal or serpentine configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall view of a resistive element system according to one embodiment; [0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a catheter sheath in a partially retracted position usable with the resistive element system of FIG. 1; [0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a closer view of an exemplary embodiment of a catheter usable with the resistive element system of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of a working end of the catheter of FIG. 3; [0013] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of another embodiment of the working end of the catheter of FIG. 3; [0014] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of yet another embodiment of the working end of the catheter of FIG. 3; [0015] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of yet another embodiment of the working end of the catheter of FIG. 3; [0016] FIG. 7A is a table depicting an exemplary treatment cycle usable with the catheter of FIG. 7; [0017] FIG. 7B illustrates two views of an embodiment of a catheter incorporating external fluid grooves and an external coil electrode; [0018] FIG. 7C illustrates an embodiment of a resistive element system having multiple protruding resistive elements; [0019] FIG. 7D illustrates a side view of a resistive element system including an expandable balloon and a set of fluid ports, according to one embodiment of the invention; [0020] FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment of an expandable device having an expandable electrode; Continue reading... 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