An electrode assembly for use with an electrophysiological catheter has a plurality of independently controlled ablation electrodes distributed radially around the electrode assembly. Two ablation electrodes may be positioned in opposition to each other. The electrode assembly may also have microelectrodes for sensing tissue and/or temperature. Methods for using a catheter equipped with such an electrode assembly may include preferentially emitting energy in a radial direction.

Devices, systems, and methods for therapeutically treating tissue. The devices and methods are suitable for minimally invasive surgery or open surgical procedures. More particularly, methods and devices described herein permit accessing and/or treating areas of tissue with a therapeutic device.

An ablation device of a non-invasive radio-frequency ablation system includes a substrate having a first surface; a first electrode disposed on the first surface; a second electrode disposed on the first surface and adjacent to the first electrode; a moving unit electrically connected to the second electrode for moving the second electrode to regulate the distance between the second electrode and the first electrode; and a radio frequency generator connected to the ablation device for providing a radio frequency current to the first electrode and the second electrode. According to a method using the ablation device, the first and second electrodes are brought into contact with a third surface belonging to a subject in need of treatment, and the radio frequency current is applied to the electrodes to carry out a treatment procedure. The treatment depth and area are adjusted by changing the relative distance between the electrodes.

Provided is a medical device comprising an inner tubular member, an outer tubular member having a distal end and an open window disposed at the distal end, a first electrode and/or a second electrode disposed at the distal end of the outer tubular member, and a cannulated plunger or armature or shaft configured to drive the inner tubular member to cut tissue in cooperation with the open window of the outer tubular member wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are configured to provide RF energy needed for surgical operation and wherein the first and the second electrodes may be configured to be symmetrical or substantially symmetrical along a longitudinal axis of the outer tubular member or wherein the first electrode is configured to cover the open window of the outer tubular member and extended to one side of the outer tubular member and the second electrode is configured to be disposed on the other side of the outer tubular member. Also provided are methods of making a medical device as described herein.

A device and method for cutting or ablating tissue in a human or veterinary patient includes an elongate probe having a distal end, a tissue cutting or ablating apparatus located adjacent within the distal end, and a tissue protector extending from the distal end. The protector generally has a first side and a second side and the tissue cutting or ablating apparatus is located adjacent to the first side thereof. The distal end is structured to be advanceable into tissue or otherwise placed and positioned within the patient's body such that tissue adjacent to the first side of the protector is cut away or ablated by the tissue cutting or ablation apparatus while tissue that is adjacent to the second side of the protector is not substantially damaged by the tissue cutting or ablating apparatus.

Methods for using a surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source and a fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing forward fluid delivery through an energy delivery device that avoids coring when it delivers energy to a tissue. The device has a distal face defining an opening, with the distal face including at least one electrically exposed portion and at least one electrically insulated portion. An embodiment of the energy delivery device includes an elongate member defining a lumen structured to receive a fluid, and a distal face defining an aperture in communication with the lumen. The distal face includes an electrically exposed conductive portion and an electrically insulated portion. The electrically exposed conductive portion is configured such that the energy it delivers while the energy delivery device is advanced into a tissue punctures the tissue without the tissue substantially occluding the lumen and without creating embolic particles.

A method of constructing an electrophysiology catheter having a flex circuit electrode assembly includes: providing a flex circuit having a substrate, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer; removing the first conductive layer to expose a first surface of the substrate; forming the wiring electrode in the second conductive layer with one exclusion zone; forming a first through-hole in the substrate to provide one conductive via and forming a second through-hole to provide an irrigation aperture in alignment with the exclusion zone; forming the contact electrode on first surface of the substrate; placing conductive material into the first through-hole to form the conductive via, the conductive via extending through the substrate and electrically coupling the wiring electrode and the contact electrode; and coupling a first conductor and a second conductor to the wiring electrode to form a thermocouple.

A high density mapping and ablation catheter includes a tip electrode positioned at its distal end and a plurality of electrodes (e.g., ring electrodes, ring-segment electrodes, spot electrodes, and/or printed traces) disposed proximally of the tip electrode within the distal region. A plurality of conductors extending through the elongate catheter body to electrically connect the tip electrode and other electrodes to a source of ablation energy, an electrophysiology mapping device, and/or a programmable electric stimulator. A switching circuit can be employed, for example to enable a practitioner to selectively activate certain electrodes for ablation, for electrophysiological mapping, for pacing, or to deactivate certain electrodes entirely.

Tissue is treated using a radiofrequency power supply connected to an applicator having a chamber filled with an electrically non-conductive gas surrounded by a thin dielectric wall. A radiofrequency voltage is applied at a level sufficient to ionize the gas into a plasma and to capacitively couple the ionized plasma with the tissue to deliver radiofrequency current to ablate or otherwise treat the tissue.