Patent ID: 8251991

Claim:
An anchoring mechanism for an elongated ablation instrument having a length, a thickness smaller than said length, an instrument proximal end and an instrument distal end, said length defining an axis, said anchoring mechanism comprising: (a) an anchoring member, comprising: (i) a support structure having a configuration which extends at least partially around the axis of the ablation instrument; and (ii) at least one anchor, said anchor having first and second ends, said anchor being secured to said support structure proximate said first end of said anchor, said anchor being elongated in configuration and defining a tip distal to said second end configured to extend toward said instrument proximal end; and (b) an anchor deflection member extending along the perimeter of said anchoring member, said anchor deflection member supporting said anchoring member for sliding longitudinal movement in directions along the length of said ablation instrument which result in advancement and retraction of said point on said anchor, said anchor deflection member defining: (i) a guide surface positioned on said anchor deflection member, said guide surface extending longitudinally, and configured and dimensioned to slidingly guide said anchoring member; and (ii) a deflection lip positioned and configured to outwardly deflect said tip as said anchor is displaced A) from a first position removed from said deflection lip toward said deflection lip, B) to a second position into contact with said deflection lip, and C) to further displaced positions beyond said second position, said support structure defining at least two gaps which allow the perimeterial dimension of said support structure to be varied.