Patent ID: 8034052
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An electrosurgical instrument for use with a source of electrical energy to ablate tissue in a living subject, the instrument comprising: an elongated tissue-penetrating electrode including a rigid tubular member having a closed distal end defining an interior cavity extending from the closed distal end to a proximal end of the rigid tubular member, the rigid tubular member defining an electrically conductive surface capable of receiving electrical energy from a source of electrical energy; at least one electrically conductive segment located on the elongated tissue-penetrating electrode, the at least one electrically conductive segment configured to receive electrosurgical energy from the rigid tubular member; an insulation layer disposed on the elongated tissue-penetrating electrode defining an exposed portion of the elongated tissue-penetrating electrode at the distal end; at least one sensor that detects temperature of tissue during ablation; and a semiconductive material directly coated on the rigid tubular member and forming at least one resistive layer configured to connect the rigid tubular member with a corresponding at least one electrically conductive segment.