Patent ID: 7837678
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A catheter for use in conjunction with a reference location to treat a blood vessel, the catheter comprising: an elongate member having a distal end and a proximal end, the elongate member configured for insertion, with the distal end leading, into a blood vessel; an energy treatment element toward the distal end of the elongate member, the energy treatment element having a distal and a proximal end and a treatment length; a plurality of index markings marked on the elongate member and configured to be movably indexed in a distal to proximal direction adjacent the reference location to position the energy treatment element at sequential locations along the length of the blood vessel via movement of the elongate shaft in the distal to proximal direction; at least one final marking that indicates a final distance from said final marking to the proximal end of the energy treatment element, the final distance comprising approximately the length of an introducer sheath and a safety zone; and a warning section along the elongate member and wherein the at least one final marking is located on the elongate member between the energy treatment element and the warning section, the warning section comprising a distinct marking different from the plurality of index markings and the at least one final marking; wherein consecutive index markings are spaced apart by a movement length that is related to, but smaller than the treatment length, such that the movement length is about 1% to about 15% less than the treatment length and is thus configured to provide overlap of consecutive treated segments of the blood vessel when the energy treatment element is moved along the blood vessel; wherein the elongate member lacks any markings similar to the index markings and located between consecutive index markings.