Patent ID: 9308042
Filing Date: 2016-04-12
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A method of applying energy to tissue, the method comprising: advancing a treatment device comprising an electrode to a surface of tissue, where the treatment device comprises an opening exposing the electrode, the treatment device also comprising a vacuum lumen and a fluid perfusion lumen, where both the vacuum lumen and fluid perfusion lumen are fluidly coupled to the opening; positioning the opening against the surface of tissue; applying a vacuum in the vacuum source to reduce pressure in both the vacuum lumen and the opening, whereupon the reduced pressure causes the tissue to form a seal about the opening, where formation of the seal causes the fluid perfusion lumen to reduce in pressure causing fluid flow through the fluid perfusion lumen across the opening and through the vacuum lumen, where breaking of the seal prevents fluid flow; and observing the fluid flow to confirm engagement between the electrode and the surface of tissue; applying energy from the electrode to the surface of tissue.