Patent ID: 8114072
Filing Date: 2012-02-14
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An electrical ablation apparatus, comprising: a housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a flexible housing extending along a longitudinal axis; a first electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the housing, the proximal end is adapted to couple to an energy source; and a second electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the flexible housing, the proximal end is adapted to couple to an energy source, wherein the distal ends of the first and second electrodes are separated by a gap, the second electrode comprising: a first prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a second prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second prongs are electrically coupled at the proximal end and are configured to separate and define an opening when the second electrode is extended distally; wherein the size of the opening is selectively adjustable such that when the first and second electrodes are energized by the energy source at a predetermined energy level, an electric current suitable to ablate tissue located within the opening flows across the gap and forms an electric arc between the distal end of the first electrode and the tissue.