Ablation catheters with pressure sensor to treat varicose veins

A device for treating varicose veins, comprising:

• an energy generator configured to generate an electric signal;
• a controller operatively connected to the energy generator to control the generation of the electric signal;
• and
• an elongated catheter connected to the energy generator comprising:
• an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft being sized and configured such that the distal end can be inserted into a target blood vessel;
• a heating element disposed near the distal end of the elongated shaft, the heating element comprising:
• a first coil member comprising a first plurality of windings about the shaft, wherein one or more first openings in the first plurality of windings are defined along a length of the first coil member;
• and
• a second coil member comprising a second plurality of windings about the shaft, wherein one or more second openings in the second plurality of windings are defined along the length of the second coil member;
• and
• a plurality of pressure sensors longitudinally spaced from one another along the shaft, wherein each pressure sensor of the plurality of pressure sensors is located on the shaft within a respective opening of the first openings in the first plurality of windings or the second openings in the second plurality of windings, and wherein at least two adjacent pressure sensors are circumferentially offset from one another, each pressure sensor being configured to generate an output signal indicative of pressure applied thereto by a surface of the target blood vessel;
• wherein the first and second coil members are each operatively connected to the energy generator and configured to generate thermal energy when the electric signal generated by the energy generator is delivered thereto.

A catheter for use in treating varicose veins, the catheter comprising:

• an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft being sized and configured such that the distal end can be inserted into a target blood vessel;
• a coil member disposed at the distal end of the shaft and comprising a plurality of first windings about the shaft in a first direction, wherein a plurality of openings in the plurality of first windings are defined along the length of the heating element;
• and
• a plurality of pressure sensors longitudinally spaced from one another along the distal end of the shaft, wherein adjacent pressure sensors are circumferentially offset from one another, each pressure sensor being configured to generate an output signal indicative of pressure applied thereto by surface of target blood vessel.