Patent ID: 6241725
Filing Date: 2001-06-05
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A radio frequency heating process for the ablation of target tissue in the body of a patient, comprising the steps of:storing image scanner data taken by volumetric image data acquisition from the body of the patient including the target tissue;using said stored image scanner data to display a real time image of the body of the patient including the target tissue;providing an elongated electrode structure with an insulating cover to define an exposed tip extending from said cover;based on the displayed image of the body of the patient including the target tissue, inserting said elongated electrode structure into the body of the patient to position said tip contiguous to the target tissue; and based on the displayed image of the body of the patient including the target tissue, energizing said elongated electrode structure with radio frequency electrical energy to radiate energy from said tip for ablating the target tissue in the body of the patient.