Apparatus and method of use for treating blood vessels

Abstract

An electrosurgical apparatus is provided. The electrosurgical apparatus includes a cannula insertable into a patient and positionable adjacent abnormal tissue. The electrosurgical apparatus includes a microwave antenna that includes a distal end having a radiating section receivable within the cannula and positionable within a patient adjacent abnormal tissue. The microwave antenna is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for transmitting electrosurgical energy to the radiating section. A portion of the radiating section substantially encompasses a portion of the abnormal tissue and may be configured to apply pressure thereto. The microwave antenna is actuated to electrocautery treat tissue to reduce blood flow to the abnormal tissue.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A microwave antenna, comprising:
 a proximal portion configured to operably couple to a microwave energy source; and   a distal portion configured to deliver microwave energy to tissue, the distal portion having a non-looped configuration and a looped configuration, wherein delivery of microwave energy to the distal portion transitions the distal portion from the non-looped configuration to the looped configuration.   
     
     
         15 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein the distal portion remains in the non-looped configuration until microwave energy is delivered to the distal portion. 
     
     
         16 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein the microwave antenna is movably disposed within a cannula. 
     
     
         17 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein the microwave antenna is configured to communicate with an image guidance device. 
     
     
         18 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein the distal portion is formed from a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         19 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein the distal portion is configured to wrap around the tissue upon transition of the distal portion to the looped configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein the distal portion is configured to squeeze the tissue upon transition of the distal portion to the looped configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the microwave antenna is coated with a dielectric material. 
     
     
         22 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein the distal portion defines a loop diameter in a range of about 10 mm to about 20 mm when the distal portion is in the looped configuration. 
     
     
         23 . The microwave antenna according to  claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the distal portion includes a cross-section area having a shape selected from the group consisting of a circular shape, a flat shape, and an oval shape. 
     
     
         24 . An electrosurgical device, comprising:
 a proximal portion configured to operably couple to an electrosurgical energy source; and   a distal portion configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue, the distal portion having a non-looped configuration and a looped configuration, wherein delivery of electrosurgical energy to the distal portion transitions the distal portion from the non-looped configuration to the looped configuration.   
     
     
         25 . The electrosurgical device according to  claim 24 , wherein the distal portion remains in the non-looped configuration until electrosurgical energy is delivered to the distal portion. 
     
     
         26 . The electrosurgical device according to  claim 24 , wherein the electrosurgical energy is microwave energy. 
     
     
         27 . The electrosurgical device according to  claim 24 , wherein the distal portion is formed from a shape memory alloy. 
     
     
         28 . The electrosurgical device according to  claim 24 , wherein the distal portion is configured to wrap around the tissue upon transition of the distal portion to the looped configuration. 
     
     
         29 . The electrosurgical device according to  claim 24 , wherein at least a portion of the electrosurgical device is coated with a dielectric material. 
     
     
         30 . The electrosurgical device according to  claim 24 , wherein the distal portion defines a loop diameter in a range of about  10 mm to about  20 mm when the distal portion is in the looped configuration. 
     
     
         31 . A method for treating tissue, comprising:
 positioning a distal portion of an electrosurgical device adjacent target tissue in a non-looped configuration;   delivering electrosurgical energy to the distal portion to transition the distal portion from the non-looped configuration to a looped configuration; and   delivering electrosurgical energy to the tissue via the distal portion while the distal portion is in the looped configuration.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising deploying the electrosurgical device from a cannula. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein delivering electrosurgical energy to the distal portion causes the distal portion to wrap around the tissue upon transition of the distal portion to the looped configuration.