Patent ID: 7419487
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for impedance characterization and ablative treatment of tumors, comprising: an elongated delivery device including a lumen, the elongated delivery device being maneuverable in tissue; and an impedance array comprising a plurality of resilient members being positionable in the elongated delivery device in a compacted state and deployable with curvature into tissue from the elongated delivery device in a deployed state and defining a sample volume in the deployed state, at least two of the plurality of resilient members being a sensor member and including a sensor for determining impedance, where each sensor member is operatively connected to a separate impedance energy source, at least some of said resilient members being electrodes which can be coupled to at least one ablating energy source for ablating tissue when electrical energy is supplied to the electrodes from the ablating source; wherein said impedance array is effective to determine localized impedance.