Patent ID: 6471698
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: A61B,A61M,A61N,B22F,C22C,C22F

Abstract:
A tissue ablation apparatus, comprising:an introducer having a distal portion and a proximal portion; an electrode device positionable within an interior of the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue, the electrode device including at least a first RF electrode, a second RF electrode and a third RF electrode, each of the first, second and third RF electrodes having a tissue piercing distal end, a non-deployed state when positioned within the introducer and a deployed state when advanced from the distal portion of the introducer, the first, second and third RF electrodes being deployable with curvature from the introducer distal portion and exhibiting a changing direction of travel along a length of each electrode deployed from the introducer; and a rigid electrode advancement member coupled to the electrode device to advance the first, second and third RF electrodes in and out of the introducer distal portion, where the electrodes exhibit at the selected tissue site a first curved section and a second curved section, and the advancement member being at least partly positionable in the introducer.