APPARATUS AND METHOD OF TREATING A VEIN WITH HEAT ENERGY

摘要

A method of delivering therapy to a vein. In one embodiment, the method includes the following steps: inserting a structural sheath into the vein, the structural sheath being configured to prevent collapse of the vein due to spasm or via the administration of tumescent anesthesia; advancing a vapor delivery shaft into the catheter sheath; positioning a vapor delivery tip of the vapor delivery shaft distally of the catheter sheath; and delivering vapor to the vein through the vapor delivery tip to, e.g., shrink the vein with the vapor. The invention also includes a vapor delivery catheter system adapted to perform the method.