Patent ID: 7329254

Claim:
A method for forming a lesion in a targeted tissue region at or near a sphincter in the anal canal of an individual comprising assessing the anatomic requirements of the individual in the region of the anal canal, providing a barrel structure having a dimension selected based upon the assessing that is conducive for advancement into the anal canal, the barrel structure carrying an electrode sized and configured to be coupled to a source of tissue ablation energy to be applied through the electrode to form a lesion, the barrel structure including a transparent side wall visualized by a direct line of sight from an end portion of the barrel structure, inserting the barrel structure at the selected dimension into the anal cavity with the electrode retracted within the barrel structure, visualizing by the direct line of sight through the transparent side wall of the barrel structure the dentate line and the targeted tissue region, while visualizing, aligning the electrode in a desired location in the targeted tissue region above the dentate line, advancing the electrode to penetrate tissue at or near a sphincter, and applying energy through the electrode to create a lesion in the sphincter.