Patent ID: 8454598

Claim:
A method of confirming engagement between an electrode in a treatment device and a surface of soft tissue prior to treating the tissue, the method comprising: advancing a portion of the treatment device housing the electrode to the surface, where the treatment device comprises an opening exposing the electrode, the treatment device also comprising a vacuum lumen coupled to a vacuum source and a fluid perfusion lumen coupled to a fluid source, where both the vacuum lumen and fluid perfusion lumen are fluidly coupled to the opening; drawing a vacuum in the vacuum source to reduce pressure in both the vacuum lumen and the opening, whereupon placing the opening against tissue causes tissue to enter the opening creating a seal against the soft tissue, where formation of the seal causes the fluid perfusion lumen to reduce in pressure causing fluid flow from the fluid source through the fluid perfusion lumen across the opening, and through the vacuum lumen, where breaking of the seal prevents the perfusion lumen from dropping in pressure and prevents fluid flow; and observing the fluid flow to confirm engagement between the electrode and the soft tissue.