Device and method for injecting pulsed steam into a human or animal vessel E.G. a vein

摘要

The purpose of the invention is to develop an improved device for injecting pulsed steam into a human or animal vessel (e.g. veins), especially tributaries and perforating veins to treat them through thermofibrosis. The device of the invention includes a water pulse generator that produces micro pulses of pressurized sterile water; a hand piece that transforms pulses of water coming from the generator into pulses of steam; an endoluminal catheter with a tubular part for delivering the steam into the vessel; connection means between the hand piece and the endoluminal catheter; and a programmable central processing unit (cpu) to control the water pulse generator and the hand piece.

主权项

1. A method for treating tributaries comprising using a device for injecting pulsed steam into human or animal vessel, the device including:
a water pulse generator that produces micro pulses of pressurized sterile water; a hand piece that transforms pulses of water coming from the generator into pulses of steam; an endoluminal catheter for delivering the steam into the vessel; connection means between the hand piece and the endoluminal catheter; and a programmable central processing unit (cpu) to control the water pulse generator and the hand piece;wherein
a. the endoluminal catheter comprises a tubular part which length L (in cm) is comprised between one of the following inclusive ranges: [1; 30], [2; 28], [3; 27], [4; 26], [5; 25], [6; 24], [8; 22], [10; 20]; b. the tubular part of the endoluminal catheter is made of a flexible, biocompatible, thermically insulating and thermically resistant non-metallic material or polymer; c. the distal end of the endoluminal catheter has a terminal and central opening;the method further comprising:
i. the tubular part of the endoluminal catheter is introduced into a patient and positioned within the section of the vein to be treated through multiple punctures; each of them corresponding to a given segment of vein to be treated; ii. several pulses of pressurized overheated steam are delivered consecutively towards the vein; iii. the tubular part of the endoluminal catheter remains active until there has been sufficient shrinkage of the vein; iv. the extent of shrinkage of the vein is detected by appropriate detection means;and wherein the segments' length is 4 to 12 cm.