Methods and apparatus for introducing tumescent fluid to body tissue

A catheter for treating a hollow anatomical structure (HAS), said catheter comprising:

• a shaft which extends along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end, the shaft having an atraumatic tip at the distal end thereof to minimize tissue injury as the catheter is moved within an HAS;
• a therapeutic energy source located at or near a distal end of said shaft and along said longitudinal axis, said therapeutic energy source comprising at least one of an electrode and a resistive heating element and configured to atraumatically contact an inner wall of said HAS to thereby apply energy to said inner wall of said HAS;
• and
• at least one fluid delivery channel, said channel separate from said therapeutic energy source and having a delivery tip which is movable from a retracted position near the longitudinal axis of said shaft and said therapeutic energy source to a deployed position farther from said longitudinal axis of said shaft and said therapeutic energy source, wherein, in said deployed position, said at least one fluid delivery channel is configured to deliver fluid to tissue outside of said HAS;
• further comprising a source of tumescent fluid which is in fluid communication with said fluid delivery channel.

A catheter for treating a hollow anatomical structure (HAS), said catheter comprising:

• a shaft which extends from a proximal end to a distal end thereof, the shaft having an outer surface that includes at least one port and the distal end having an atraumatic tip to minimize tissue injury as the catheter is moved within an HAS;
• a therapeutic energy source located on said shaft and at or near a distal end of said shaft, said therapeutic energy source forming an energy coupling surface which faces generally radially outward from said shaft and is configured to apply energy to said HAS;
• at least one fluid delivery channel comprising a needle with a sharp tip and configured to advance in a generally radial direction through the at least one port in the outer surface of the shaft to inject a fluid into tissue outside of and surrounding said HAS;
• wherein said energy source is a heat emitting element, said heat emitting element is a heating coil.