Apparatus and method for ensuring thermal treatment of a hollow anatomical structure
US8721634B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 21, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 10, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/3945
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.