Patent ID: 6011995
Filing Date: 2000-01-04
Classification: A61B,A61N

Abstract:
An apparatus for hyperthermic treatment of tissue comprising:a catheter having a longitudinal lumen;an elongated member having a distal and proximal end, said distal end adapted to be positioned proximate to said tissue and thermally coupled thereto, said elongated member telescopically disposed in said lumen of said catheter; anda ohmic heating element disposed on said elongated member at or proximate to said distal end, said ohmic heating element adapted to be in direct contact with fluid normally flowing to said tissue so that said tissue is subjected to a controlled amount of heat at a selected temperature for a selected amount of time,wherein said tissue is supplied with fluid by a vessel having a vascular wall; and a radially extensible cage structure for selectively maintaining said ohmic heating element in a spaced apart relationship from said vascular wall, andwherein said elongated member is variably coupled to said catheter so that an action applied to said elongated member is adapted to reversibly longitudinally elongate or contract at least a distal portion of said catheter and thereby to reversibly and radially extend or contract said cage structure.