Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A tissue ablation apparatus, comprising: a tissue penetrating member with a tissue piercing distal end; an elongated delivery device coupled to the tissue penetrating member; an RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal tip and positionable in the elongated delivery device, the RF electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned in the delivery device and a deployed state, wherein in the deployed state, the RF electrode distal end exhibits a changing direction of travel as the RF electrode is advanced from the delivery device into a selected tissue site; and an electrode advancement member coupled to the RF electrode for advancing the RF electrode out of the elongated delivery device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A tissue ablation apparatus, comprising: a tissue penetrating member with a tissue piercing distal end; an elongated delivery device coupled to the tissue penetrating member; an RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal tip and positionable in the elongated delivery device, the RF electrode having a non-deployed state when positioned in the delivery device and a deployed state, wherein in the deployed state, the RF electrode distal end exhibits a changing direction of travel as the RF electrode is advanced from the delivery device into a selected tissue site; and an electrode advancement member coupled to the RF electrode for advancing the RF electrode out of the elongated delivery device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the tissue penetrating member is positionable in the elongated delivery device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the tissue penetrating member is removably positionable in the elongated delivery device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the elongated delivery device is positionable in the tissue penetrating member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the elongated delivery device is removeably positionable in the tissue penetrating member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF electrode includes a hollow lumen configured to receive a fluidic medium.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF electrode exhibits the changing direction of travel as the RF electrode is advanced from the delivery device into the selected tissue site with at least two radii of curvature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF electrode exhibits the changing direction of travel as the RF electrode is advanced from the delivery device into the selected tissue site with at least one radius of curvature and a linear section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in the deployed state the RF electrode includes curved sections with different radii.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein in the deployed state the RF electrode includes at least one curved portion and at least one straight portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: an impedance monitoring device coupled to the RF electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF electrode is deployable with curvature from the elongated delivery device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of creating a lesion in tissue, comprising: providing a tissue penetrating member with a tissue piercing distal end; providing a treatment apparatus coupled to an RF energy source, the treatment apparatus including an elongated delivery device and an RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal tip, the RP electrode being positionable in the elongated delivery device in a non-deployed state when positioned in the delivery device and advanceable from the elongated delivery device in a deployed state where an RF electrode distal end exhibits a changing direction of travel as the RF electrode is advanced from the delivery device into a selected tissue site; introducing the tissue penetrating member to a selected tissue site; positioning the elongated member at least partially in the tissue penetrating member; advancing the RF electrode from the elongated member, the RF electrode exhibiting a changing direction of travel as it advanced through tissue; delivering energy from the RF electrode to a target tissue site; and creating cell necrosis at the target tissue site.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
170 words
A method of creating a lesion in tissue, comprising: providing a tissue penetrating member with a tissue piercing distal end; providing a treatment apparatus coupled to an RF energy source, the treatment apparatus including an elongated delivery device and an RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal tip, the RP electrode being positionable in the elongated delivery device in a non-deployed state when positioned in the delivery device and advanceable from the elongated delivery device in a deployed state where an RF electrode distal end exhibits a changing direction of travel as the RF electrode is advanced from the delivery device into a selected tissue site; introducing the tissue penetrating member to a selected tissue site; positioning the elongated member at least partially in the tissue penetrating member; advancing the RF electrode from the elongated member, the RF electrode exhibiting a changing direction of travel as it advanced through tissue; delivering energy from the RF electrode to a target tissue site; and creating cell necrosis at the target tissue site.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising: forming a closed electrical circuit through the selected tissue site.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising: operating the RF energy source to create a lesion of predetermined size and shape.