Patent ID: 9603658
Date: 2017-03-28
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. A method for coagulating a length of soft tissue comprising: placing an elongate member against the soft tissue, the elongate member comprising a side wall, at least one first lumen, at least one conductive element attached to said side wall, and at least one opening through said side wall coupled to said lumen and exposing said conductive element where the conductive element is offset within the opening requiring soft tissue to be pulled into the opening to engage the conductive element; applying a vacuum source to said first lumen causing said soft tissue to pull into the opening and contact said conductive element where the vacuum source simultaneously circulates fluid across the length of soft tissue; and an injection support tube attached to said side wall of said elongate member; wherein said injection support tube comprises a second lumen coupled to said first lumen and said step of applying vacuum to said first lumen causes said fluid to pass through said second lumen and said first lumen; transmitting radiofrequency energy to said conductive element to heat said soft tissue.