Expandable catheter having improved electrode design, and method for applying energy

US6638273B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Brian E. Farley · Los Altos, US
• Grace Y. Schulz · Redwood City, US
• Dawn A. Henderson · Palo Alto, US
• Mark P. Parker · San Jose, US
• Arthur W. Zikorus · San Jose, US
• Gary H. Miller · Milpitas, US
• Jay Daulton · San Jose, US
• Douglas Portnow · Sunnyvale, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 27, 2000
• Grant date: Oct 28, 2003
• Expiry date: Nov 27, 2020

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2018/1497
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A catheter having expandable electrodes for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure such as a vein. When used on a vein, the catheter is useful for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency. The catheter includes conductive end rings to which the electrodes are attached, for mechanically connecting and electrically tying electrodes together to provide for a single wire electrical connection points, for transmitting energy while more evenly spacing the electrodes. Expandable arms are formed of electrically conductive material and insulated along their length except for an intermediate section that functions as the electrode. The arms are tapered to allow more room for wiring and to reduce the possibility of shorting between the ends of the arms. The catheter further includes thermocouples in the electrodes for measuring temperatures on the outer surface of the electrode. Slots are formed in the arms for mounting the thermocouples. The temperature at the hollow anatomical structure is monitored and if a rapid, large temperature decrease of short duration is noted, the power is maintained constant as a fluid flush has been detected.