Patent ID: 7074233
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for delivering energy to a tissue having a tissue surface, said method comprising: providing an apparatus comprising an energy delivery component and an inflatable member disposed around the energy delivery component, wherein the inflatable member comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, wherein the inflatable member's inner wall is flexible, wherein the inflatable member's outer wall is flexible, and wherein the inflatable member's inner wall and the inflatable member's outer wall enclose a cavity therebetween; expanding the inflatable member such that the inflatable member's outer wall contacts the tissue surface; disposing a cooling fluid in the cavity; and delivering energy to the energy delivery component so that at least a portion of the energy delivered to the energy delivery component passes through the inflatable member's inner wall, through the cooling fluid disposed in the cavity, through the inflatable member's outer wall, and into the tissue.