Method and apparatus for applying energy to biological tissue including the use of tumescent tissue compression

Abstract

An electrode catheter is introduced into a hollow anatomical structure, such as a vein, and is positioned at a treatment site within the structure. Tumescent fluid is injected into the tissue surrounding the treatment site to produce tumescence of the surrounding tissue which then compresses the vein. The solution may include an anesthetic, and may further include a vasoconstrictive drug that shrinks blood vessels. The tumescent swelling in the surrounding tissue causes the hollow anatomical structure to become compressed, thereby exsanguinating the treatment site. Energy is applied by an electrode catheter in apposition with the vein wall to create a heating effect. The heating effect causes the hollow anatomical structure to become molded and durably assume the compressed dimensions caused by the tumescent technique. The electrode catheter can be moved within the structure so as to apply energy to a large section of the hollow anatomic structure. In a further aspect, the location of the electrodes is determined by impedance monitoring. Also, temperature sensors at the treatment site are averaged to determine the site temperature.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 10 / 872,646, filed Jun. 21, 2004, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09 / 899,885 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,803), filed Jul. 6, 2001, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09 / 267,127 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,084), filed Mar. 10, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 09 / 138,472 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,832), filed Aug. 21, 1998, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08 / 927,251 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,312), filed Sep. 11, 1997.BACKGROUND [0002] The invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for applying energy to shrink a hollow anatomical structure, such as a fallopian tube or a vein, including but not limited to, superficial and perforator veins, hemorrhoids, and esophageal varices. In some particular aspects, the invention relates to a method for compressing an anatomical structure prior to the application of energy and apparatus including an electrode device having multiple leads for applying energy to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025] Alternate means to prevent coagulum formation include fluid displacement of blood at the treatment site, or exsanguination by inducing self-constriction of the vessel. In the latter, self-constriction includes, but is not limited to, intraluminal delivery of a vasoconstrictive drug. Self-constriction also aids in pre-shaping the vein for ligation, as discussed previously. If the fluid delivered to the site is a sclerosant, the ligation effects would be further enhanced.

Problems solved by technology

The electrode is then moved along a site within the selected length while continuously applying energy to result in a lengthy occlusion.

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