Methods and apparatus for coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures
AssigneeVNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.
InventorsBrady Esch, Bob McRae, Arthur Zikorus, Michael Mirizzi, Christopher Jones
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Abstract
An energy delivering probe is used for thermally coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures (HAS) including, but not limited to, blood vessels such as perforator veins. The probe includes a shaft and at least two electrodes where at least one of the electrodes has a perimeter that increases as it extends proximally.
Claims42
An energy-emitting probe for use in treating a hollow anatomical structure, said probe comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
- at least one energy emitting element located near said distal end of said shaft, the perimeter of said element increasing as said element extends proximally;
- and
- a sharp tip at the distal end of said shaft;
- said sharp tip configured to puncture body tissue as said tip is urged against said tissue.
An energy-emitting probe for use in treating a hollow anatomical structure, said probe comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
- at least one energy emitting element located near said distal end of said shaft, an outer surface of said element tapering outward as said element extends proximally;
- and
- a sharp tip at the distal end of said shaft, said sharp tip configured to puncture body tissue as said tip is urged against said tissue.
A method of treating body tissue with an energy-emitting probe, said method comprising:
- puncturing said tissue with a sharp distal tip of said probe;
- advancing a shaft of said probe distally into said tissue;
- inserting an energy-emitting element of said probe into said tissue;
- and
- with a tapered outer surface of said energy emitting element, easing insertion of said element into said tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.