Patent ID: 7704248

Claim:
A radiofrequency tissue ablation device, comprising: an array of elongate electrodes carried by a structure and configured to be deployed in a vascularized tissue region containing blood vessels, the array of elongate electrodes configured to deliver radiofrequency ablative energy to a tissue ablation region defined by the electrode array; an inflatable balloon carried by a shaft and configured to be deployed in the vascularized tissue region containing blood vessels; and a coupler securing the balloon relative to the array of elongate electrodes, the coupler comprising a plurality of openings dimensioned to receive the shaft, the plurality of openings configured to alter the distance between the inflatable balloon and the array of elongate electrodes, wherein the balloon, when inflated, is configured to apply a force to vascularized tissue region located in the tissue ablation region so as to reduce blood flow in the vascularized tissue region.