Patent ID: 11969199
Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 15:
16. A system for bipolar, irrigated, radiofrequency ablation comprising:
an elongate inner electrode assembly having a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer surface, the inner electrode assembly comprising:
a sheath,
a first lead within the sheath,
an electrode array disposed within a lumen of the sheath, the electrode array comprising three or more electrode tines positioned at the distal end of the inner electrode assembly and electrically connected to the first lead, wherein the electrode array has a first position contained within the sheath and a second position protruding from a distal end of the sheath, and
an insulation sleeve positioned on the outer surface of the sheath;

an elongate outer electrode assembly having a distal end and a proximal end and comprising:
a cannula having a cannula body made of an electrically conductive material, wherein a distal end of the cannula body is rough or textured,
an inner surface defining a lumen,
a shaft electrode formed by an exposed segment of the conductive material of the cannula on an outer surface of the outer electrode assembly,
a distal insulating segment on the outer surface of the cannula body extending from the distal end of the cannula body to the shaft electrode, wherein the distal insulating segment overlaps the rough or textured distal end of the cannula body, and
a proximal insulating segment on the outer surface of the cannula body extending from near the proximal end of the cannula body to the shaft electrode; and

an irrigation path defined between the outer surface of the inner electrode assembly and the inner surface of the cannula, the irrigation path further defined through irrigation openings defined in the shaft electrode;
wherein the inner electrode assembly is configured to be positioned within the lumen of the outer electrode assembly, wherein the system is configured for attaching to a generator to provide radiofrequency current flow between the electrode array and the shaft electrode.