US 6,981,972 B1 | ||
Apparatus for treating venous insufficiency using directionally applied energy | ||
Brian E. Farley, Los Altos, Calif. (US); Michael D. Laufer, Menlo Park, Calif. (US); Dawn A. Henderson, Palo Alto, Calif. (US); Douglas M. Petty, Pleasanton, Calif. (US); and Mark P. Parker, San Jose, Calif. (US) | ||
Assigned to VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc., San Jose, Calif. (US) | ||
Filed on Jan. 18, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/483,969. | ||
Application 09/483969 is a division of application No. 08/811820, filed on Mar. 04, 1997, granted, now 6,033,398. | ||
Application 08/811820 is a continuation in part of application No. 08/610911, filed on Mar. 05, 1996, granted, now 6,036,687. | ||
Application 08/610911 is a continuation in part of application No. 08/717994, filed on Sep. 26, 1996, granted, now 6,033,397. | ||
Application 08/717994 is a continuation in part of application No. 08/720209, filed on Sep. 26, 1996, granted, now 6,139,527. | ||
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer. | ||
Int. Cl. A61B 17/38 (2006.01) |
U.S. Cl. 606—27 | 35 Claims |
1. An apparatus for applying energy to cause shrinkage of a vein, the apparatus comprising:
a catheter having a shaft with an outer diameter and a working end, wherein the outer diameter of the catheter is less than
the inner diameter of the vein; and
at least two electrodes located at the working end of the catheter, wherein the electrodes are spaced apart from one another
by less than 180 degrees so as to produce a directional RF field to heat a venous treatment area adjacent the electrodes along
a circumferential portion of the vein and not the entire circumference of the vein to cause preferential shrinkage of the
vein when RF energy is applied to the vein by the electrodes;
an outer tube having a first end and a second end, the outer tube surrounding the catheter shaft;
a tip member located at the working end of the catheter shaft;
at least two bowable members, each bowable member having a first mounting end attached to the second end of the outer tube,
a second mounting end attached to the tip, and one of the at least two electrodes between the first and second mounting ends;
a generally elastic cover connecting the second end of the outer tube to the tip;
wherein the outer tube moves over the catheter shaft, and the electrodes move away from the catheter shaft when the second
end of the outer tube moves toward the tip, and the cover prevents fluid from seeping between the outer tube and the catheter
shaft.
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