A catheter includes a plurality of primary leads to deliver energy for
ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads
includes an electrode located at the working end of the catheter.
Separation is maintained between the primary leads such that each primary
lead can individually receive power of selected polarity. The primary
leads are constructed to expand outwardly to place the electrodes into
apposition with an anatomical structure. High frequency energy can be
applied from the leads to create a heating effect in the surrounding
tissue of the anatomical structure. The diameter of the hollow anatomical
structure is reduced by the heating effect, and the electrodes of the
primary leads are moved closer to one another. Where the hollow
anatomical structure is a vein, energy is applied until the diameter of
the vein is reduced to the point where the vein is occluded. In one
embodiment, a secondary lead is surrounded by the primary leads, and
extends beyond the primary leads. The secondary lead includes an
electrode at the working end of the catheter. The secondary lead can have
a polarity opposite to the polarity of the primary leads in a bipolar
configuration. The polarity of the leads can be switched and the catheter
can be moved during treatment to ligate an extended length of the vein.
The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow
fluid delivery.