Methods and apparatus for treatment of hollow anatomical structures

Abstract

One embodiment comprises an apparatus for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure having an inner wall. The apparatus comprises an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end opposite the distal end; and a capacitive treatment element located near the distal end. The capacitive treatment element is sized for insertion into the hollow anatomical structure and placement near the inner wall. The capacitive treatment element is configured to create an electric field that extends at least partially into the inner wall. Other devices and methods for treatment of hollow anatomical structures are disclosed as well.

1 . An apparatus for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure having an inner wall, said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end opposite said distal end;    a capacitive treatment element located near said distal end;    said capacitive treatment element being sized for insertion into said hollow anatomical structure and placement near said inner wall;    said capacitive treatment element being configured to create an electric field that extends at least partially into said inner wall.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises a pair of elongate parallel electrodes separated by a non-conductive element.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said non-conductive element comprises an air gap.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said non-conductive element comprises a solid non-conductive material.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises two pairs of elongate parallel electrodes separated by non-conductive elements.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises a plurality of electrode pairs, and said apparatus further comprises a control unit which is configured to sequentially energize selected subsets of said plurality of electrode pairs.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged in a generally helical fashion.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of said shaft.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged longitudinally.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises a plurality of electrodes, and said apparatus further comprises an electrically insulative layer which covers some or all of said electrodes when said electrodes are energized.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said capacitive treatment element is configured to dielectrically heat said hollow anatomical structure.  
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for applying energy to a hollow anatomical structure having an inner wall, said apparatus comprising: 
 an elongate shaft suitable for insertion into said hollow anatomical structure; and    a dielectric heating element connected to said shaft.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a substantially permanent electrically insulative layer covering said dielectric heating element.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said dielectric heating element is configured to create an electric field that extends at least partially into said hollow anatomical structure.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said dielectric heating element comprises a plurality of electrode pairs, and said apparatus further comprises a control unit which is configured to sequentially energize selected subsets of said plurality of electrode pairs.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said dielectric heating element comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged radially about a longitudinal axis of said shaft.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said dielectric heating element comprises a plurality of electrodes arranged longitudinally.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said dielectric heating element comprises at least one electrode arranged substantially helically around said shaft.  
     
     
         19 . A method of treating a hollow anatomical structure, said method comprising: 
 inserting a capacitive treatment element into said hollow anatomical structure;    positioning said capacitive treatment element near an inner wall of said hollow anatomical structure;    with said capacitive treatment element, creating an electric field that extends at least partially into said inner wall.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising heating at least a portion of said hollow anatomical structure with said capacitive treatment element.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein heating comprises causing movement of dipolar molecules in said hollow anatomical structure.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises a plurality of electrode pairs, and said method further comprises sequentially energizing selected subsets of said plurality of electrode pairs.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said hollow anatomical structure comprises a vein, and said method further comprises reducing an inner dimension of said vein by operating said capacitive treatment element.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein reducing an inner dimension of said vein comprises: 
 positioning said capacitive treatment element in a first portion of said vein;    energizing said capacitive treatment element while it is in said first portion;    reducing or shutting off power delivery to said capacitive treatment element after energizing said capacitive treatment element while it is in said first portion;    after reducing or shutting off power delivery to said capacitive treatment element, moving said capacitive treatment element to a second portion of said vein; and    energizing said capacitive treatment element while it is in said second portion.    
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said capacitive treatment element comprises at least one electrode arranged substantially helically around said elongate shaft.