The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 03, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 18, 2000
Brian E. Farley, Los Altos, CA (US);
Michael D. Laufer, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Dawn A. Henderson, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Douglas M. Petty, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Mark P. Parker, San Jose, CA (US);
Brian E. Farley, Los Altos, CA (US);
Michael D. Laufer, Menlo Park, CA (US);
Dawn A. Henderson, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Douglas M. Petty, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Mark P. Parker, San Jose, CA (US);
VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
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.