Patent ID: 8357153

Claim:
A device suitable for insertion into a hollow anatomical structure within a patient via a percutaneous, laparoscopic or endoscopic route for the purpose of ablating tissue within or surrounding the hollow structure so as to induce occlusion of the hollow structure, the device comprising: a guidewire having a distal end and a proximal end, the guidewire comprising a central core which extends along the length of the body, the central core comprising at least one conductor and a plurality of steering members, a tip located at the distal end of the guidewire wherein the tip comprises at least one heating module and means for connecting the at least one conductor to an external energy source, said means being located at the proximal end of the guidewire; a catheter having a elongate body including a lumen extending along at least a portion of the elongate body, wherein the lumen is adapted to facilitate slidable mounting of the catheter on the guidewire, an aperture positioned in the side wall of the catheter proximally to the distal end of the catheter, the aperture being sealable via a pivotally mounted door; and wherein, in use, the guidewire can be withdrawn proximally until the distal tip of the guidewire is located within the lumen of the catheter at a point that is adjacent to the aperture which permits the door to be opened inwardly, such that upon subsequent advancement of the guidewire the tip is deflected outwardly from the lumen of the catheter through the aperture and into the surrounding hollow anatomical structure where the at least one heating module can be activated so as to induce ablation of the tissue.