Patent ID: 7077842
Filing Date: 2006-07-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A device for ablating tissue comprising: a guide element; a rigid elongate tubular member defining a longitudinally extending lumen having a distal opening and a proximal opening, the lumen dimensioned to pass along and over the guide element directed into the tissue, a distal portion of the tubular member having a blunt distal tip, the tubular member comprising a metal tube having an external surface and an electrical insulator configured to electrically insulate a portion of the external surface of the metal tube, an inner metal tube disposed within the metal tube and defining a portion of the lumen, the blunt tip comprising a fluid sealed junction between the metal tube and the inner metal tube; an electrode disposed at a distal portion of the tubular member and configured to be energized with high frequency energy to thermally ablate the tissue; the electrode comprising an exposed portion of the external surface of the outer metal tube; and a fluid channel within the tubular member, the fluid channel in fluid communication with a fluid input port and a fluid output port and in thermal communication with the electrode; the fluid channel being located at least in part between the metal tube and the inner metal tube.