Patent ID: 7416552

Claim:
A multipolar, multi-lumen, virtual-electrode catheter for treatment of tissue, the catheter comprising (a) a catheter body having an outer surface; a first sidewall; a second sidewall; a first longitudinally-extending internal lumen, extending adjacent to said first sidewall and adapted to transport conductive fluid; and a second longitudinally-extending internal lumen, extending adjacent to said second sidewall and adapted to transport conductive fluid; (b) a first exit feature extending through said first sidewall of said catheter body, wherein said first exit feature thereby fluidly couples said first internal lumen to said outer surface of said catheter body; (c) a second exit feature extending through said second sidewall of said catheter body, wherein said second exit feature thereby fluidly couples said second internal lumen to said outer surface of said catheter body; (d) a first internal electrode residing within at least a distal portion of said first internal lumen and adapted to deliver treatment energy to the tissue via said conductive fluid and said first exit feature; (e) a second internal electrode residing within at least a distal portion of said second internal lumen and adapted to deliver treatment energy to the tissue via said conductive fluid and said second exit feature; and (f) at least one surface electrode mounted on said outer surface of said catheter body adjacent to said first and second exit features.