Patent ID: 7763018

Claim:
An ablation electrode system for use with a source of electrosurgical energy to ablate tissue in a living subject, the ablation electrode system comprising: a handle assembly; a needle electrode assembly supported in and extending from the handle assembly, the needle electrode assembly including: an outer tube having at least a conductive distal tip, a proximal end portion supported in the handle assembly, and defining a cavity therein; and an inner tube disposed at least partially within the cavity of the outer tube and having a proximal end portion supported within the handle assembly, the inner tube defining a lumen therein; a hub assembly supported within the handle assembly and fluidly connected to the needle electrode assembly, the hub assembly including: an outer shell defining a lumen therein; and an inner manifold operatively supported in the lumen of the outer shell, the inner manifold and the outer shell being configured and dimensioned so as to define a first chamber and a second chamber therebetween; wherein the proximal end portion of the inner tube is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the proximal end portion of the outer tube is in fluid communication with the second chamber; an electrical conduit electrically connected to the outer tube of the needle electrode assembly; a first fluid conduit fluidly connected to the first chamber; and a second fluid conduit fluidly connected to the second chamber.