Patent ID: 7195629

Claim:
A tissue ablation probe, comprising: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; a first array of electrodes mounted on the shaft, the first array of electrodes having a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration; a second array of electrodes mounted on the shaft at a location spaced apart proximally from the first array of electrodes, the second array of electrodes having a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein at least one of the electrodes of the first array is configured to initially deploy from the shaft in a distal direction, wherein at least one of the electrodes of the second array is configured to initially deploy from the shaft in a proximal direction, wherein the at least one electrode of the first array has an end that faces at least partially in the proximal direction, the at least one electrode of the second array has an end that faces at least partially in the distal direction, and the end of the at least one electrode of the second array is located proximal to the end of the at least one electrode of the first array when the first and the second arrays are deployed, and wherein the deployed first and second electrode arrays are configured to necrose a volume of tissue therebetween when electrical energy is applied between the first and second electrode arrays.