Occlusion apparatus and method for necrotizing anatomical tissue structures

Abstract

An occlusion apparatus necrotizes an anatomical tissue structure which is disposed in a living body and has a plurality of vessels extending therefrom. The occlusion apparatus includes an elongated tubular member and an occluding mechanism. The tubular member extends along a central longitudinal axis to define a lumen and has a distal end positioned interiorly of the living body and a proximal end disposed opposite the distal end and positioned exteriorly of the living body. The occluding mechanism is operative at the distal end of the tubular member and includes a pair of occluding elements disposed opposite one another. The pair of occluding elements are moveable to and between an opened state and a closed state. In the opened state, the vessels to be occluded are received between the pair of occluding elements. In the closed state, the pair of occluding elements contact and occlude the vessels, thereby necrotizing the anatomical tissue structure. A method necrotizes the anatomical tissue structure and includes the steps of locating the anatomical tissue structure to be necrotized and the vessels extending therefrom, and occluding the vessels to prevent fluid flow into and out of the anatomical tissue structure, thereby causing ischemic necrosis of the anatomical tissue structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.