Method for inducing thrombosis in blood vessels

Abstract

Method of employing a balloon tube for creating a thrombosis of vessels located directly under the surface of a body cavity which is difficult to reach, through the initiation of an electric current between the balloon which is deflated as introduced into the body cavity and which is inflated by introducing a fluid on the spot and an outside electrode. The fluid which is used to inflate the balloon is electrically conductive and the balloon wall is semi-permeable for the fluid.

I claim: 
     
       1. Method for creating a thrombosis in a blood vessel located directly under the surface of a body cavity which is difficult to reach comprising inserting a deflated balloon containing a cylindrical tube into the body cavity, the tube having openings to the balloon,   inflating the balloon by introducing an electrically conductive fluid into the tube, the balloon having an exterior wall semi-permeable to the fluid, contacting a conductive wire to the conductive fluid to provide a connection to an electrode outside the body and initiating an electric current between the balloon and the electrode located outside the body cavity.   
     
     
       2. The method according to claim 1 wherein a wire is inserted through the cylindrical tube and is connected to the electrode located outside the body cavity. 
     
     
       3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the wire inserted is made of platinum. 
     
     
       4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the fluid introduced is normal saline solution. 
     
     
       5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the fluid introduced is normal saline solution. 
     
     
       6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the fluid introduced is normal saline solution. 
     
     
       7. The method according to claim 6, the method further comprising a step of adding a medicament to the fluid. 
     
     
       8. The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising a step of adding a medicament to the fluid. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for inducing thrombosis in hard to reach blood vessels within a living body comprising a cylindrical tube having multiple lateral passageways,   an electrically conductive fluid located within the tube,   a balloon having a membrane wall semipermeable to the fluid surrounding a portion of the cylindrical tube containing the passageways,   a counter electrode adapted to be located outside the body and   an electrically conductive wire electrically connecting the fluid and the electrode.   
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the fluid is normal saline solution. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the wire is made of platinum and the fluid is normal saline solution. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein a medicament is present in the fluid. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a medicament is present in the fluid. .Iadd. 
     
     
       14.  An apparatus for intravascular use within a living body comprising: a cylindrical tube having multiple lateral passageways,   an electrically conductive fluid located within the tube,   a balloon having a membrane wall semipermeable to the fluid surrounding a portion of the cylindrical tube containing the passageways, and   a counter electrode adapted to be located outside the body and electrically connected to the fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the fluid is normal saline solution..Iaddend..Iadd.16. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein a medicament is present in the fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.17. The method according to claim 14 wherein the conductive fluid comprises electrode gel..Iaddend..Iadd.18. Method for treating a blood vessel comprising the steps of:   inserting a deflated balloon containing a cylindrical tube into the blood vessel, the tube having openings to the balloon,   inflating the balloon by introducing an electrically conductive fluid into the tube, the balloon having an exterior wall semi-permeable to the fluid, electrically connecting the fluid to an electrode located outside the blood vessel; and initiating an electric current between the balloon and   
     
     
        the electrode located outside the blood vessel..Iaddend..Iadd.19.  The method according to claim 18 wherein a wire is inserted through the cylindrical tube and is connected to the electrode located outside the blood vessel..Iaddend..Iadd.20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the fluid introduced is normal saline solution..Iaddend..Iadd.21. The method according to claim 18 wherein the fluid introduced is normal saline solution..Iaddend..Iadd.22. The method according to claim 21 further comprising the step of adding a medicament to the fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.23. The method according to claim 18 further comprising the step of adding a medicament to the fluid..Iaddend..Iadd.24. The apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the conductive fluid comprises electrode gel..Iaddend.