Apparatus and method for treating venous reflux
AssigneeCytyc Surgical Products
InventorsRussell M. Sampson, Eugene Skalnyi, Estela Hilario
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Abstract
Disclosed is an ablation method and apparatus used to close veins for treatment of venous insufficiency disease. The apparatus includes a catheter proportioned for insertion into a vein, a pair of inflatable balloons spaced apart on the catheter body, and an ablation electrode array disposed between the balloons. According to the disclosed method, the catheter is introduced into the vein to be treated and the balloons are distended. Blood is flushed and aspirated from the site between the balloons. RF power is applied to the electrode array, causing scarring of the vessel walls and eventual sealing of the vein.
Claims16
A method of sealing a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:
- providing a catheter including an elongate body, a pair of inflatable balloon members on the elongate body, and an electrode array on the elongate body between the balloons;
- positioning the catheter within a blood vessel;
- inflating the balloon members into contact with an interior wall of the blood vessel;
- removing blood from the portion of the blood vessel extending between the inflated balloon members;
- and
- energizing the electrode array to cause ablation of the interior wall of the blood vessel and, during the energizing step, applying suction in the region between the inflated balloon members to remove moisture released during ablation, said suction substantially preventing formation of a low-impedance liquid layer around the electrodes when ablation is carried out using the electrodes wherein in the applying step the suction at least partially collapses the vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.