Abstract: A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of hemorrhoids using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein can be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned within the hemorrhoidal venous system to treat different sections until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent. Shrinkage of the vein further thickens and stiffens the vein wall which reduces the potential for the hemorrhoid vein to dilate.

Abstract: A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of hemorrhoids using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein can be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned within the hemorrhoidal venous system to treat different sections until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent. Shrinkage of the vein further thickens and stiffens the vein wall which reduces the potential for the hemorrhoid vein to dilate.

Abstract: A catheter delivers an electrode within a hollow anatomical structure for a minimally invasive treatment which reduces the size of the structure. The catheter is introduced and positioned within a section of the hollow anatomical structure to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy, and the surrounding tissue of the hollow anatomical structure becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage. The temperature of the surrounding hollow anatomical structure can be monitored while the electrode radiates high frequency energy. After treating one section of the hollow anatomical structure, the catheter and electrodes can be repositioned intraluminally to treat different sections of the hollow anatomical structure.

Abstract: A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The extent of shrinkage of the vein may be detected by fluoroscopy. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode can be repositioned intraluminally within the vein to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous sections and valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

Abstract: A catheter introduces electrodes in a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency by the application of energy to cause selective heating of the vein. The catheter is positioned within the vein to be treated, and the electrodes on the catheter are moved toward one side of the vein. RF energy is applied in a directional manner from the electrodes at the working end of the catheter to cause localized heating and corresponding shrinkage of the adjacent venous tissue, which may include commissures, leaflets and ostia. Fluoroscopy or ultrasound may be used to detect shrinkage of the vein. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter can be repositioned to place the electrodes to treat different sections of the vein until all desired venous valves are repaired and rendered functionally competent.

Abstract: A catheter delivers an electrode within a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of esophageal varices using RF energy. The catheter is introduced into and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated. The electrode radiates high frequency energy towards the vein, and the surrounding venous tissue becomes heated and begins to shrink. The extent of shrinkage of the vein is detected by fluoroscopy. The electrode remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein. The electrode may remain active for an extended period of time so as to promote a thickening of the immediately surrounding esophageal tissue. The catheter includes a controllable member for limiting the amount of shrinkage of the vein to the diameter of the member. After treating one section of the vein, the catheter and the electrode are repositioned within the venous system to treat different sections until all desired venous sections are rendered functionally competent.

Abstract: A catheter having expandable electrodes for applying energy to a vein for a minimally invasive treatment of venous insufficiency, and having expandable stent members for limiting vein shrinkage to a final desired vein diameter. The catheter includes a set of expandable arms that are pre-formed into an outwardly bowed configuration. An electrode is mounted on each arm. When uncovered by sliding a control sleeve proximally, the electrode arms expand outwardly into apposition with the vein wall for applying energy to the vein wall to heat and shrink the vein. The catheter further includes a set of expandable stent arms deployed to the final desired diameter of the vein. The electrode arms and the stent arms are decoupled so that each is separately controllable. In a method, the stent arms are expanded outward to the desired final diameter of the vein. The electrode arms are then expanded into apposition with the vein wall and energy is applied to shrink the vein into contact with the stent arms.

Abstract: An atherectomy catheter comprises a flexible tube having a proximal end and a distal end, and a cutter housing secured to the proximal end. A spring tip nose cone is secured to a distal end of the cutter housing and comprises a relatively soft polymeric wall having a spring coil embedded therein. The spring tip nose cone has a controlled flexibility, generally being more flexible toward the distal tip. The spring coil inhibits collapse of the nose cone under the expected conditions of use, and the flexibility and non-collapsibility together assure that the nose cone can be introduced over a movable guide wire without substantial binding. Means may be provided for inhibiting loss of atheroma from the interior of the nose cone.

Abstract: An atherectomy device for reducing stenosis material from a vascular vessel is provided. The atherectomy device includes an elongated flexible tubular member having at least one lumen extending therethrough and having proximal and distal extremities. A flexible drive means disposed within the tubular members is free to move both rotationally and axially therein. A cutting assembly is carried by the distal extremity of the flexible tubular member with a cutter being carried by the distal extremity of the flexible drive means for removing a portion of the stenosis from the vessel wall. An inflatable dilation balloon is carried by the tubular member proximally of the cutter for further reducing the stenosis after initial reduction by the cutter. A perfusion channel maintains blood flow past the dilation balloon. Methods of the present invention include cutting and dilating a stenosis, cutting then immediately dilating a stenosis, and dilating then immediately cutting a stenosis.