Patent ID: 6068629
Filing Date: 2000-05-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for recording electrical signals and/or for applying energy to a target site within a patient comprising:a shaft having distal and proximal end portions and a longitudinal axis therebetween;an ablation segment at the distal end portion of the shaft defining first and second opposing ends and having one or more electrodes disposed therebetween;a connector extending through the shaft for electrically coupling the one or more electrodes to a source of electrical energy;a force element coupled to the shaft and disposed to apply an axially directed force to the ablation segment between the first and second opposing ends, andthe ablation segment comprising a substantially linear arm movable between a collapsed position sized for delivery through a percutaneous penetration in the patient and an expanded position substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis at which the ablation segment forms a substantially continuous surface transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft for contacting tissue at the target site.