Apparatus for Administering Therapy at a Remote Location in the Body

Abstract

Devices suitable for insertion into a hollow anatomical structure within a patient for the purpose of ablating tissue within or surrounding the hollow structure so as to induce occlusion of the hollow structure are provided. The devices are in the form of guidewires with functional tips, that comprise at least one heating module, at their distal ends. The devices of the invention are suitable for occluding hollow anatomical structures selected from vasculature or from non-vascular ducts and tubes, via percutaneous, laparoscopic or endoscopic routes of access. Methods of using the devices in the treatment of patients are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A device suitable for endoscopic insertion into a hollow anatomical structure within a patient for the purpose of administering thermal ablation to the walls of the hollow structure and optionally the surrounding tissue, the device comprising:
 a body having a distal end and a proximal end, the body comprising a central core which extends along the length of the body, the central core comprising more than two steering members arrayed about at least two independently insulated conductors, the at least two conductors having a connection to an external energy source; and   a tip located at the distal end of the body, wherein the tip comprises at least two heating modules, and wherein each heating module is independently in contact with at least one conductor;   wherein, in use, when the tip is located within the hollow structure the external energy source is activated, thereby inducing activation of the at least two heating modules and facilitating ablation of said structure and/or the surrounding tissue.   
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the at least two heating modules comprise at least one electrode that is capable of expansion outwardly from the tip so as to achieve physical contact with at least a portion of the surface of the surrounding hollow structure. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the electrode is capable of heating the walls of the hollow structure to a temperature that causes endoluminal closure of the hollow structure. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 44 , wherein the at least one electrode is in the form of an expandable structure selected from the group consisting of: an expandable helical structure; an expandable basket structure; and an expandable umbrella structure. 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the body has a mean diameter along its length of between about 0.1 mm and about 3 mm. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the device comprises a mechanism for permitting in situ detachment of the tip following activation of the at least two heating modules. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , further comprising a plurality of sequentially detachable tips located at the distal end of the body. 
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the mechanism for permitting in situ detachment of a tip comprises location of a joining material between the tip and the body, wherein the joining material comprises a material that dissolves, melts or erodes during or following activation of the at least two heating modules. 
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the mechanism for permitting in situ detachment of a tip comprises an arrangement in which the distal terminus of the body comprises a retaining member, the retaining member including a threaded joining member, the joining member being capable of engaging with a matching threaded cavity formed in the proximally face a central conducting core located in the tip, wherein in use, the tip is detached from the body by rotation of the body about its longitudinal axis so as to unscrew the body from the tip. 
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the mechanism for permitting in situ detachment of a tip comprises an arrangement in which the distal terminus of the body engages with the tip via a removable tether, wherein in use removal of the tether allows for disengagement and, thus, detachment of the tip. 
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the mechanism for permitting in situ detachment of a tip comprises an arrangement in which the distal terminus of the body engages with the tip via a magnetic linkage configured such that, in use, the magnetic linkage diminishes upon activation of the at least two heating modules. 
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the mechanism for permitting in situ detachment of a tip comprises an arrangement in which the distal terminus of the body engages with the tip via a latch linkage such that, in use, the tip can be detached from the body via release of the latch linkage. 
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the means for connecting the at least one conductors to an external energy source comprises a housing that is slidably mounted on the body and an actuator means for controlling electrical contact between the conductors and the external energy source. 
     
     
         57 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the external energy source comprises an RF generator. 
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the body is in the form of a guidewire. 
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 43  wherein the hollow structure is selected from the group consisting of: a vein; an artery; an arteriole; a fallopian tube; a biliary duct; a ureter; a urethra; a bronchiole; and a vas deferens. 
     
     
         60 .- 63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . A method of treating a patient requiring endoluminal closure of a hollow anatomical structure, comprising locating a device according to  claim 43  within a hollow anatomical structure within the body of the patient, ablating tissue within or surrounding the hollow structure so as to induce occlusion of the hollow structure and withdrawing the device from the body of the patient. 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the hollow structure is selected from the group consisting of: a vein; an artery; an arteriole; a fallopian tube; a biliary duct; a ureter; a urethra; a bronchiole; and a vas deferens. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the patient is suffering from cancer and the hollow structure is located adjacent to or within a solid tumour. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the hollow structure is a fallopian tube and the patient requires tubal ligation. 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , wherein the hollow structure is a blood vessel located within the brain of the patient.