Patent ID: 9295515
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. An adjustable-dimension catheter for tissue ablation, comprising: an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a shaft connector adjacent the distal end of the shaft, the shaft connector having a plurality of shaft electrical contacts; and a first heating assembly having a first heating element having a first length and a first diameter at a distal end thereof, and a first heating element connector adjacent a proximal end thereof, the first heating element connector having a plurality of first heating element electrical contacts having a first heating element electrical contact configuration; a second heating assembly having a second heating element having a second length and a second diameter at a distal end thereof, and a second heating element connector adjacent a proximal end thereof, the second heating element connector having a plurality of second heating element electrical contacts having a second heating element electrical contact configuration; wherein the first and second heating element connectors are selectively connectable to the shaft connector at the distal end of the shaft to selectively couple the first and second heating assemblies to the shaft; wherein at least one of the first and second lengths and the first and second diameters of the first and second heating elements are different; and wherein the first and second heating element electrical contact configurations are different, such that the first heating element electrical contacts contact a first combination of the shaft electrical contacts of the shaft connector, depending on at least one of the first length and the first diameter, when the first heating element connector is connected to the shaft connector, and the second heating element electrical contacts contact a second combination of the shaft electrical contacts of the shaft connector, depending on at least one of the second length and the second diameter, when the second heating element connector is connected to the shaft connector, and the first and second combinations of the shaft electrical contacts are different.