Method and device for generating defined thermal damage to biological tissues

摘要

The invention relates to a method for generating defined thermal damage to biological tissues (e.g. inner wall of the vein, skin or mucous membrane) for therapeutic purposes. The device permits controlled transmission of a defined heat quantity onto the surface of the biological material to be damaged by means of a heat applicator of very low heat capacity as a result of close, areal contact. For this purpose, a heating element in the heat applicator can be electrically heated up in a defined, predeterminable manner by means of an electrical supply unit. The heating element can be made of metal and have such a low ohmic resistance that the voltage which drops on resistance heating of the heating element is less than 6 Veff, equivalent to VDE 0750. As a rule, this voltage is less than 1 V. The surface of the heating element is preferably corrosion-resistant. The heating element can be made of stainless steel and be used without insulation. However, a thin insulation layer may be provided. The heating element for use for therapeutic purposes in veins is preferably of cylindrical design and has a maximum length of 20 cm and a maximum diameter of about 2 cm. The heat applicator may be designed as a catheter to permit treatment of a fairly long vein section from an insertion opening. For use on freely accessible surfaces the heating element is ... Original abstract incomplete.