Patent ID: 6241727
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A catheter system comprising:a flexible catheter shaft having a shaft distal tip section, a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end, and at least one lumen extending therebetween, the shaft distal tip section having an elongated open groove, wherein the at least one lumen comprises an inflation lumen;a handle attached to the shaft proximal end, wherein the handle has a cavity;an inflatable balloon mounted at the shaft distal tip section, wherein the inflation lumen opens into and is in communication with an interior of the inflatable balloon;an electrode means comprising a first movable electrode positioned at the elongated open groove and a second electrode to form a bipolar electrode pair, wherein the electrode means is mounted at the shaft distal tip section and is completely enclosed within the inflatable balloon; andan electrode deployment means mounted on the handle for longitudinally moving the first movable electrode of the electrode means back and forth along the elongated open groove.