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

Claim 18:
19. A radiofrequency ablation method comprising:
providing an elongate inner electrode assembly having a distal end, a proximal end, and an outer surface, the inner electrode assembly comprising
a 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 a first lead, wherein the electrode array is moveable between 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;

providing an elongate outer electrode assembly having a distal end and a proximal end and comprising a cannula having a distal end and a proximal end, the cannula comprising:
an inner surface defining a lumen,
a shaft electrode near the distal end of the cannula on an outer surface of the outer electrode assembly,
a conductive path from the proximal end of the cannula to the shaft electrode; and
a distal insulating segment on the outer surface of the cannula extending from the distal end of the cannula to the shaft electrode, wherein the distal insulating segment is configured to form a seal between the insulation sleeve and the distal end of the cannula;

positioning the inner electrode assembly within the cannula of the outer electrode assembly;
attaching an irrigation source to an irrigation path defined between the outer surface of the inner electrode assembly and the outer surface of the outer electrode assembly;
providing fluid flow through the irrigation path; and, attaching the inner electrode assembly and outer electrode assembly to a generator and providing radiofrequency current flow between the electrode array and the shaft electrode.