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Systems and methods for forming large lesions in body tissue using curvilinear electrode elements

  • US 5,582,609 A
  • Filed: 08/08/1994
  • Issued: 12/10/1996
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for ablating body tissue comprisinga catheter body having an elongated axis and including a region curved along the elongated axis in a radius of curvature and adapted to contact body tissue to at least partially encircle a body tissue area within the radius of curvature,at least two electrodes supported by the catheter body in the region to transmit radio frequency energy into tissue, the at least two electrodes being spaced apart along the elongated axis on the region, the radius of curvature of the region further locating the at least two electrodes in a spaced apart relationship facing each other across the body tissue area, the body tissue area between the at least two electrodes being open and free of any electrode, each electrode having a diameter, the radius of curvature of the region being equal to or less than about 3.5 times the smaller of the diameters of the at least two electrodes, anda source of radio frequency energy coupled to each of the at least two electrodes including a control element to convey radio frequency energy to the at least two electrodes for transmission simultaneously by each of the at least two electrodes,whereby transmission of radio frequency energy simultaneously by the at least two electrodes forms a lesion that extends without interruption across the body tissue area between the at least two electrodes.

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