TREATING ANEURYSMS BY APPLYING HARDENING/SOFTENING AGENTS TO HARDENABLE/SOFTENABLE SUBSTANCES

摘要

A method and system for treating aneurysms by applying RF energy to collagen. A catheter is disposed near the aneurysm and collagen is exuded into or near the aneurysm. RF energy is applied, using the same catheter or a second catheter, to the collagen, causing the collagen to harden and cover the weak region of the blood vessel wall, and providing a base onto which epithelial cells of the blood vessel may grow. The catheter comprises an electrophysiology catheter, including a ring electrode preferably disposed to deliver between about 5 and about 30 watts of RF energy at a frequency preferably between about 450 and about 600 Megahertz, to apply sufficient energy to cause the collagen to harden while avoiding damage to surrounding tissue.