Abstract: An apparatus for in situ saphenous vein bypass includes an operating catheter which includes an optical fiber and an electrode, and a control catheter which includes a valvulotome. The operating catheter and control catheter are locked together and advanced through an incision in the leg. The catheters are closely spaced from each other, on opposite sides of a valve to be disrupted. Then, the valvulotome is manipulated to disrupt the valve, the electrode is manipulated to stanch blood flow from the valve and to close off side branches, and both procedures are viewed by means of the optical fiber. The valves of the saphenous vein are thusly disrupted in sequence, and the side branches to the saphenous vein closed off, to thereby modify the saphenous vein in situ for arterial use. In alternate embodiments, the electrode is used with delivery catheters to stop blood flow through a side branch or varicose vein. The electrode includes an embedded temperature sensor for sensing electrode temperature.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgery apparatus for causing the lumen of a vein to collapse to prevent blood flow through the vein, e.g., a varicose vein or a side branch of the saphenous vein, includes an electrode which is electrically connected to a power source, and the electrode is percutaneously advanced into the vein. Then, the power source is activated to energize the electrode and thus the blood vein until the blood vein sufficiently collapses to block the lumen of the vein. A feedback loop is also provided for sensing electrical impedance of the tissue within the vein being energized and for deenergizing the electrode when the impedance reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgery apparatus for causing the lumen of a vein to collapse to prevent blood flow through the vein, e.g., a varicose vein or a side branch of the saphenous vein, includes an electrode which is electrically connected to a power source, and the electrode is percutaneously advanced into the vein. Then, the power source is activated to energize the electrode and thus the blood vein until the blood vein sufficiently collapses to block the lumen of the vein. A feedback loop is also provided for sensing electrical impedance of the tissue within the vein being energized and for deenergizing the electrode when the impedance reaches a predetermined value. The apparatus can also be used to block a fallopian tube.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgery apparatus for causing the lumen of a vein to collapse to prevent blood flow through the vein, e.g., a varicose vein or a side branch of the saphenous vein, includes an electrode which is electrically connected to a power source, and the electrode is percutaneously advanced into the vein. Then, the power source is activated to energize the electrode and thus the blood vein until the blood vein sufficiently collapses to block the lumen of the vein. A feedback loop is also provided for sensing electrical impedance of the tissue within the vein being energized and for deenergizing the electrode when the impedance reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: An optical valvulotome having a replaceable blade head for in situ cutting of venous valves has a catheter that can be pushed through a vein. An anchor is attached to the catheter, and a cutting head can be releasably engaged with the anchor to cut the valves as the catheter is pushed through the vein. The cutting head has two spaced apart cutting blades that form a light passageway between the blades. An optical fiber is disposed in the catheter for collecting light from the light passageway between the blades, and the optical fiber is engaged with a display apparatus for displaying a video image of the blades and vein as the catheter is pushed through the vein. The catheter can be retrieved from the vein, and the cutting head easily disconnected from the anchor and replaced with another cutting head having a size larger or smaller than the first head, as appropriate for the changing width of the lumen of the vein.