Patent ID: 7648501

Claim:
A catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter having a catheter lumen extending therethrough from a proximal to a distal end; an electrode assembly connected to an electrical current source via a first electrical current conduit and located at the distal end of said catheter, said electrode assembly having an electrode with proximal and distal ends and a lumen therethrough which is aligned with said catheter lumen; a cutting assembly including a cutting apparatus made of electrically conductive material and connected to an electrical current source via a second electrical current conduit, said cutting apparatus being capable of being axially displaced such that a distal portion of the cutting apparatus can be extended distally beyond and retracted proximal to the distal end of said electrode, said cutting apparatus including a substantially planar tip selectively movable between retracted and extended positions; and a sealing apparatus disposed around said catheter, wherein said cutting apparatus penetrates said sealing apparatus and said catheter into said catheter lumen to be movable within the catheter lumen; wherein said cutting assembly has an insulating material around said electrically conductive material of said cutting apparatus, wherein said insulating material electrically isolates said electrically conductive material of said cutting apparatus from said electrode, and wherein said insulating material does not cover a distal tip of said electrically conductive material of said cutting apparatus.