Apparatus for applying energy to biological tissue including the use of tumescent tissue compression

An apparatus for applying energy from a power source to a hollow anatomical structure, the power source being responsive to temperature signals to control the level of power, the apparatus comprising:

• a catheter having a working end and a lumen configured for fluid delivery;
• a first plurality of expandable leads disposed at the working end and a second plurality of expandable leads separately disposed at the working end longitudinally away from the first plurality of expandable leads, wherein the leads are formed and mounted to the catheter such that when in an unconfined configuration, the leads have sufficient strength to move themselves outward into non-penetrating apposition with the inner wall, and further, the leads are formed and mounted to the catheter such that they do not have sufficient strength to prevent the reduction of the diameter of the inner wall wherein as the inner wall reduces, the leads remain in non-penetrating apposition with the inner wall and move inward with it, the leads also having a distal portion with an uninsulated distal tip, each lead electrically connected to the power source;
• and
• a plurality of temperature sensors located at the leads, the sensors providing temperature signals representative of the temperature sensed at the leads by each sensor;
• wherein the expandable leads are configured so as to permit the catheter to be moved in the hollow anatomical structure at the same time that the leads are applying energy to the hollow anatomical structure.