Patent ID: 7879030
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A virtual-electrode catheter for treatment of tissue, the catheter comprising: a catheter body comprising a sidewall and an outer surface; a first internal lumen extending within said catheter body and adapted to flowingly receive a conductive fluid; an exit feature comprising a flow path from said first internal lumen through said catheter body sidewall and said outer surface, said exit feature being adapted to permit the conductive fluid to exit from said first internal lumen toward the tissue; an internal flexible conductor mounted within said first internal lumen adjacent to said exit feature and an inner surface of said catheter body sidewall, wherein said internal flexible conductor is adapted to deliver treatment energy to the tissue via the conductive fluid in said first internal lumen, wherein said internal flexible conductor is configured to be connected to an energy source to supply the treatment energy; and at least one surface electrode mounted on said outer surface of said catheter body adjacent to said exit feature, wherein the at least one surface electrode is configured to be connected to a return end of the energy source, wherein the internal flexible conductor operates as an active electrode when connected to the energy source, wherein the at least one surface electrode operates as an inactive return electrode to capture and return at least a portion of the treatment energy to the energy source when the at least one surface electrode is connected to the return end of the energy source, thereby creating an electric field between the internal flexible conductor and the at least one surface electrode, and wherein said at least one surface electrode comprises: