Systems and methods for treating a hollow anatomical structure

Abstract

A catheter includes multiple primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes a resistive element located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the leads such that each lead can individually receive power. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. Energy is applied until the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced to the point where occlusion is achieved. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to place the resistive elements into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure before the application of energy. The inflated balloon impairs blood flow and facilitates the infusion of saline, or medication, to the hollow anatomical structure in order to reduce the occurrence of coagulation and to improve the heating of the structure by the catheter.

1 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         2 . A catheter for use in treating a hollow anatomical structure, the catheter comprising: 
 a catheter shaft which extends from a proximal end thereof to a distal end;    an energy emission element located at or near the distal end of the catheter shaft, the energy emission element having a first length; and    a plurality of index markers located along the shaft and proximal of the energy application device, said index markers being spaced apart by a second length, the second length being approximately equal to or slightly shorter than the first length.    
     
     
         3 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the second length is 0.5 centimeters shorter than the first length.  
     
     
         4 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the first length is about 1 to 10 centimeters.  
     
     
         5 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the first length is approximately 7 centimeters and the second length is approximately 6.5 centimeters.  
     
     
         6 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the shaft further comprises a stop-treatment marker located proximal of the energy application device and distal of the plurality of index markers.  
     
     
         7 . The catheter of  claim 6 , wherein the stop-treatment marker includes a plurality of warning markers corresponding to a plurality of introducer lengths.  
     
     
         8 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the energy emission element comprises an electrically resistive heating element.  
     
     
         9 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the energy emission element has a cross-sectional profile which is similar in size to that of the catheter shaft proximal of the energy emission element.  
     
     
         10 . The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein the energy emission element is a resistive heating coil.  
     
     
         11 . A method of treating a hollow anatomical structure, said method comprising: 
 inserting into a first segment of said hollow anatomical structure a catheter having a heating element with a length of 1 to 10 centimeters;    applying power to said heating element to treat said first segment of said hollow anatomical structure;    after a dwell time elapses, reducing or terminating power supply to said heating element;    indexing said heating element proximally to a second segment of said hollow anatomical structure; and    applying power to said heating element to treat said second segment of said hollow anatomical structure.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said second segment of said hollow anatomical structure overlaps said first segment.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said second segment of said hollow anatomical structure overlaps said first segment by approximately 1 centimeter or less.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising operating said heating element at a temperature between approximately 95° C. and approximately 110° C. during at least a portion of said dwell time.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said dwell time is approximately 20 seconds or less.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising treating said first segment for a longer time than said second segment.  
     
     
         17 . A catheter for use in treating a hollow anatomical structure, the catheter comprising: 
 a catheter shaft which extends from a proximal end thereof to a distal end;    an energy emission element located at or near the distal end of the catheter shaft, the energy emission element having a first length; and    means for indexing said energy emission element by an indexing distance.    
     
     
         18 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the indexing distance is approximately equal to or slightly shorter than the first length.  
     
     
         19 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the first length is about 1 to 10 centimeters.  
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the first length is approximately 7 centimeters and the indexing distance is approximately 6.5 centimeters.  
     
     
         21 . The catheter of  claim 17 , wherein the energy emission element is a resistive heating coil.