Patent ID: 6682526
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method of applying energy intraluminally to a hollow anatomical structure having an inner wall, the method comprising the steps of:introducing into the hollow anatomical structure a catheter having a shaft and a working end with a first plurality of electrode leads disposed at the working end and a second plurality of electrode leads disposed at the working end spaced longitudinally apart from the first plurality, each lead having an electrode connected to a power source; expanding leads of the first plurality outwardly from the working end of the catheter, wherein the electrodes of the first plurality move away from each other and into contact with the inner wall; expanding the leads of the second plurality outwardly from the working end of the catheter, wherein the electrodes of the second plurality move away from each other and into contact with the inner wall at positions spaced apart longitudinally from the contact points on the inner wall of the first plurality; and applying energy to the inner wall from electrodes of the electrode leads to collapse the hollow anatomical structure to effectively occlude the hollow anatomical structure.