Patent ID: 6355031
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A system for forming an annular pattern of circumferentially spaced-apart lesions at or near a sphincter comprisingan electrode support structure having an axis, at least four electrodes supported on the electrode support structure to contact tissue in an annular array circumferentially spaced-apart about the axis, each electrode, in use, operating to transmit radio frequency energy to form an individual tissue lesion and including a temperature sensor to sense a temperature condition adjacent the respective electrode as the individual tissue lesion forms, a generator having a power channel to transmit radio frequency energy, a controller coupling all electrodes to the generator and operating to short all the electrodes together, so that a single power channel simultaneously supplies radio frequency energy at a set power level to all electrodes in a monopolar mode to form an annular pattern of individual, circumferentially spaced-apart tissue lesions, and the controller being coupled to all the temperature sensors and operating to alternatively sample all the temperature conditions sensed by the temperature sensors and select a hottest sensed temperature condition as an input to control the set power level supplied by the single power channel to all the electrodes.