Patent ID: 8211101

Claim:
A system for treating a tissue region containing blood vessels having mucosal tissue that feed a hemorrhoidal plexus, said system comprising an energy source; a handle, and a treatment device coupled to the energy source, said treatment device carried by the handle having a working end sized and configured for passage into the anal canal to extend above a hemorrhoidal plexus and adjacent the tissue region containing blood vessels that feed the hemorrhoidal plexus, the treatment device including an operative element that affects tissue morphology to occlude or otherwise reduce blood flow through the vessels, wherein said operative element further comprises a hollow barrel, wherein said barrel is transparent to enable visualization through the barrel, the operative element supporting at least one tissue-piercing member; and means for providing energy from said energy source to said at least one tissue-piercing member; and means for controlling said at least one tissue-piercing member so that it may pass through the mucosal tissue of said blood vessels without penetration of the hemorrhoidal plexus.