Patent ID: 6712074
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A method for forming a composite lesion in a tissue region at or near a sphincter comprising the steps of:introducing a catheter tube carrying a support structure in the tissue region, the support structure including an array of spines carrying an array of electrodes attachable to a source of energy capable of heating tissue when transmitted by the electrodes, advancing the electrodes in a first path outward of the spines without movement of the catheter tube to penetrate the tissue region and form, when the energy is transmitted, a first pattern of lesions, retracting the electrodes, and advancing the electrodes in a second path axially along the spines, without movement of the catheter tube to form, when the energy is transmitted, a second pattern of lesions axially shifted from the first pattern of lesions, together comprising the composite lesion.