Patent ID: 6050992
Filing Date: 2000-04-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A probe system for penetrating a plurality of electrodes into tissue, said probe system comprising:a cannula having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending to at least the distal end,a core disposed coaxially within the cannula lumen, said core having a cylindrical outer surface which together with an inner surface of the cannula lumen defines an annular envelope; anda plurality of resilient electrodes disposed in the annular envelope wherein at least a portion of the electrodes are mechanically coupled to the core to reciprocate between a proximally retracted position wherein all electrodes are radially constrained within the lumen and a distally extended position wherein all electrodes deploy radially outwardly, said plurality including at least three electrodes,whereby the envelope maintains substantially equal circumferential spacing between adjacent electrodes when retracted in the cannula lumen.