US6071277A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for reducing the size of a hollow anatomical structure
Assignee: VNUS Medical Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1997-07-01
•
Granted: 2000-06-06
•
Expires: 2017-07-01
Abstract
Abstract A catheter delivers an electrode within a hollow anatomical structure for a minimally invasive treatment which reduces the size of the structure. The catheter is introduced and positioned within a section of the hollow anatomical structure to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy, and the surrounding tissue of the hollow anatomical structure becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage. The temperature of the surrounding hollow anatomical structure can be monitored while the electrode radiates high frequency energy. After treating one section of the hollow anatomical structure, the catheter and electrodes can be repositioned intraluminally to treat different sections of the hollow anatomical structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian E. Farley
- 👤 Michael D. Laufer
- 👤 Arthur W. Zikorus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22097; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00214; A61B2018/0022; A61B2018/00267; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00279; A61B2018/00285; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00482; A61B2018/00488; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00755; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00875; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1465; A61B2018/1497
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of reducing the size of a hollow anatomical structure, the method comprising the steps of: applying energy to the hollow anatomical structure from a heating device to cause the hollow anatomical structure to durably assume a reduced size; and preventing further reduction in the size of the hollow anatomical structure beyond the selected reduced size so that the hollow anatomical structure remains patent.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
65 words
A method of reducing the size of a hollow anatomical structure, the method comprising the steps of: applying energy to the hollow anatomical structure from a heating device to cause the hollow anatomical structure to durably assume a reduced size; and preventing further reduction in the size of the hollow anatomical structure beyond the selected reduced size so that the hollow anatomical structure remains patent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of preventing further reduction comprises the steps of: positioning a catheter in the hollow anatomical structure; controlling an effective diameter of the catheter to equal the selected reduced size to which the hollow anatomical structure is to be reduced; and preventing further reduction in the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure beyond the selected reduced size with the catheter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of occluding the hollow anatomical structure by inflating a balloon on the catheter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of applying energy further includes the steps of: positioning a catheter in the hollow anatomical structure; increasing an effective diameter of the catheter so that the catheter is placed in apposition with the wall of the hollow anatomical structure; and reducing the effective diameter of the catheter in a controlled manner while maintaining apposition with the wall, until the selected reduced size for the hollow anatomical structure is reached.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The method of claim 1, further including the steps of: positioning a catheter in the hollow anatomical structure; compressing the area around the hollow anatomical structure so as to reduce the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure before the step of applying energy; controlling an effective diameter of the catheter to equal the selected reduced size to which the hollow anatomical structure is to be reduced; and preventing further reduction in the size of the hollow anatomical structure beyond the selected reduced size with the catheter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter into the hollow anatomical structure; and expanding the catheter to place an electrode in contact with a wall of the hollow anatomical structure; wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying electrical energy from the electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the step of applying electrical energy from the electrode comprises the step of expanding the catheter to place a non-insulated portion of a bowable catheter member in contact with the wall of the hollow anatomical structure while an insulated portion of the bowable catheter member remains free of contact with the wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter into the hollow anatomical structure; expanding the catheter to place a plurality of electrodes in apposition with a wall of the hollow anatomical structure; the step of applying energy comprises the steps of polarizing adjacent electrodes differently and applying energy from those electrodes to the hollow anatomical structure; whereby electrical energy flows between the oppositely polarized electrodes through the wall of the hollow anatomical structure to reduce the size of the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of occluding the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of delivering a fluid to the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring the reduction in the size of the hollow anatomical structure with ultrasound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring the reduction in the size of the hollow anatomical structure with fluoroscopy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sensing the temperature of the hollow anatomical structure to which energy is being applied.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of controlling the application of energy to the hollow anatomical structure in accordance with the sensed temperature.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of reducing the size of a hollow anatomical structure, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter into the hollow anatomical structure; applying energy from a heating device to durably reduce the size of the hollow anatomical structure; and preventing shrinkage beyond a selected size defined by the catheter so that the hollow anatomical structure remains patent.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
60 words
A method of reducing the size of a hollow anatomical structure, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter into the hollow anatomical structure; applying energy from a heating device to durably reduce the size of the hollow anatomical structure; and preventing shrinkage beyond a selected size defined by the catheter so that the hollow anatomical structure remains patent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 15, further including the step of increasing an effective diameter of the catheter, the catheter preventing the hollow anatomical structure from assuming a diameter less than the effective diameter defined by the catheter during the step of preventing further reduction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of applying energy further includes the steps of: increasing an effective diameter of the catheter so that the catheter is placed in apposition with the wall of the hollow anatomical structure; and reducing the effective diameter of the catheter in a controlled manner while maintaining apposition with the wall, until the selected reduced size for the hollow anatomical structure is reached.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 15, further including the steps of: compressing the area around the hollow anatomical structure so as to reduce the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure before the step of applying energy; controlling an effective diameter of the catheter to equal the selected reduced size to which the hollow anatomical structure is to be reduced; and preventing further reduction in the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure beyond the selected reduced size with the catheter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of occluding the hollow anatomical structure by inflating a balloon on the catheter.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of occluding the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: expanding the catheter to place an electrode in contact with a wall of the hollow anatomical structure; wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying electrical energy from the electrode.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of applying electrical energy from the electrode comprises the step of expanding the catheter to place a non-insulated portion of a bowable catheter member in contact with the wall of the hollow anatomical structure while a insulated portion of the bowable catheter member remains free of contact with the wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: expanding the catheter to place a plurality of electrodes in apposition with a wall of the hollow anatomical structure; the step of applying energy comprises the steps of polarizing adjacent electrodes differently and applying energy from those electrodes to the hollow anatomical structure; whereby electrical energy flows between the oppositely polarized electrodes through the wall of the hollow anatomical structure to reduce the size of the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of delivering a fluid to the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of monitoring the reduction in the size of the hollow anatomical structure with ultrasound.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of monitoring the reduction in the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure with fluoroscopy.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of sensing the temperature of the hollow anatomical structure to which energy is being applied.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of controlling the application of energy to the hollow anatomical structure in accordance with the sensed temperature.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of reducing the diameter of a hollow anatomical structure, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter into the hollow anatomical structure, the catheter having a heating device; placing the heating device in apposition with a wall of the hollow anatomical structure; applying energy from the heating device to cause the hollow anatomical structure to durably assume a reduced diameter; preventing shrinkage beyond a selected reduced diameter so that the hollow anatomical structure remains patent.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of reducing the diameter of a hollow anatomical structure, the method comprising the steps of: introducing a catheter into the hollow anatomical structure, the catheter having a heating device; placing the heating device in apposition with a wall of the hollow anatomical structure; applying energy from the heating device to cause the hollow anatomical structure to durably assume a reduced diameter; preventing shrinkage beyond a selected reduced diameter so that the hollow anatomical structure remains patent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of preventing further reduction comprises the steps of: controlling an effective diameter of the catheter to equal the selected reduced size to which the hollow anatomical structure is to be reduced; and preventing further reduction in the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure beyond the selected reduced size with the catheter.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
69 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the step of applying energy further includes the steps of: increasing an effective diameter of the catheter so that the catheter is placed in apposition with the wall of the hollow anatomical structure; and reducing the effective diameter of the catheter in a controlled manner while maintaining apposition with the wall, until the selected reduced size for the hollow anatomical structure is reached.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 29, further including the steps of: compressing the area around the hollow anatomical structure so as to reduce the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure before the step of applying energy; controlling an effective diameter of the catheter to equal the selected reduced size to which the hollow anatomical structure is to be reduced; and preventing further reduction in the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure beyond the selected reduced size with the catheter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of: expanding the catheter to place an electrode in contact with a wall of the hollow anatomical structure; wherein the step of applying energy includes the step of applying electrical energy from the electrode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the step of applying electrical energy from the electrode comprises the step of expanding the catheter to place a non-insulated portion of a bowable catheter member in contact with the wall of the hollow anatomical structure while an insulated portion of the bowable catheter member remains free of contact with the wall.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of: expanding the catheter to place a plurality of electrodes in apposition with a wall of the hollow anatomical structure; the step of applying energy comprises the steps of polarizing adjacent electrodes differently and applying energy from those electrodes to the hollow anatomical structure; whereby electrical energy flows between the oppositely polarized electrodes through the wall of the hollow anatomical structure to reduce the size of the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of occluding the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of inflating a balloon on the catheter placed within the hollow anatomical structure to occlude the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of delivering fluid to the hollow anatomical structure.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of monitoring the reduction in the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure with ultrasound.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of monitoring the reduction in the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure with fluoroscopy.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of sensing the temperature of the hollow anatomical structure to which energy is being applied.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of controlling the application of energy to the hollow anatomical structure in accordance with the sensed temperature.
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