Patent ID: 8221409

Claim:
An insulated irrigated ablation electrode assembly comprising: a proximal member having a body portion including an outer surface, an inner cavity within the body portion, and at least one passageway that extends from the inner cavity to the outer surface of the body portion; a distal member having a distal end and an outer surface; and an intermediate member including an outer surface, the intermediate member disposed between and separate from both the proximal member and the distal member thereby thermally insulating the proximal member from the distal member, wherein the intermediate member is directly connected to both the proximal member and the distal member, wherein the proximal member is configured to receive at least a first portion of the intermediate member such that the first portion of the intermediate member is disposed internally relative to the proximal member, and wherein the outer surface of the proximal member, at least a portion of the outer surface of the distal member, and the outer surface of the intermediate member are substantially radially aligned.