Vnus Medical Technologies, Inc.

Tyco Healthcare Group LP

Covidien LP

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Douglas M Petty

Brian Eugene Farley

Mark P Parker

Christopher Scott Jones

Arthur W Zikorus

Joseph M Tartaglia

Michael D Laufer

Dawn A Henderson

Isaac Ostrovsky

Louis J Barbato

Thomas C Moore

Mark Alan Hamm

Richard Romley

Paul Goll

Mark K Parker

A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and extends beyond the primary leads. The secondary lead includes an electrode at the working end of the catheter. The secondary lead can have a polarity opposite to the polarity of the primary leads in a bipolar configuration. The polarity of the leads can be switched and the catheter can be moved during treatment to ligate an extended length of the vein. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery.

Expandable vein ligator catheter having multiple electrode leads, and method

A catheter introduces electrodes in a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency by the application of energy to cause selective heating of the vein. The catheter is positioned within the vein to be treated, and the electrodes on the catheter are moved toward one side of the vein. RF energy is applied in a directional manner from the electrodes at the working end of the catheter to cause localized heating and corresponding shrinkage of the adjacent venous tissue, which may include commissures, leaflets and ostia. Fluoroscopy or ultrasound may be used to detect shrinkage of the vein. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter can be repositioned to place the electrodes to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

Method and apparatus for treating venous insufficiency using directionally applied energy

Method and apparatus for treating venous insufficiency

Method of using expandable vein ligator catheter having multiple electrode leads

An improved medical imaging device assembly includes an imaging transducer coupled to the distal end of a drive shaft, and a conductive wire is wrapped around a distal portion of the drive shaft, wherein the conductive wire reinforces the imaging device assembly. In one embodiment, the conductive wire is part of a sensor adapted to communicate with a medical positioning system. In another embodiment, the conductive wire is configured to be a matching circuit for the imaging transducer. The conductive wire may be configured to be in parallel with the imaging transducer or configured to be in series with the imaging transducer.

Imaging transducer assembly

Apparatus for treating venous insufficiency using directionally applied energy

Method of applying energy to tissue with expandable ligator catheter having multiple electrode leads

Expandable vein ligator catheter having multiple electrode leads

Method and apparatus for treating venous insufficiency using

Growing community of inventors

Pleasanton, CA, United States of America

Douglas M Petty