Patent ID: 8211095

Claim:
An integrated apparatus for delivering energy to a tissue, the integrated apparatus comprising: a housing having a distal end; a coupling assembly coupled to the housing opposite the distal end, the coupling assembly comprising a first fluid access port and a second fluid access port, the first fluid access port in fluid communication with a first annulus and the second fluid access port in fluid communication with a second annulus, the coupling assembly comprising an opening for introducing an energy delivery component; and a tubular structure located within the housing forming the first annulus between the tubular structure and the housing, the tubular structure configured to form the second annulus between the tubular structure and the energy delivery component when the energy delivery component is introduced, the first annulus and the second annulus in fluid communication with each other proximate to the distal end of the housing; wherein the housing includes a fluid pathway located proximate to the distal end, the fluid pathway providing communication between a region exterior to the housing and hollow space that incorporates the first annulus and the second annulus and being selectively opened and closed via translation of the energy delivery component.