Tissue ablation apparatus and device for use therein and method

摘要

A tissue ablation apparatus for minimally invasive treatment for disorders of the upper airway by the treatment of soft tissues in the upper airway comprising a hand-held device adapted to be held by the human hand. Radio frequency energy is delivered to the hand-held device. The hand-held device comprises a housing having a handle portion adapted to be grasped by the human hand and a probe portion. At least one guide tube is mounted in the probe portion and has a bore extending therethrough. A carrier block is slidably mounted in the housing relative to the guide tube. At least one needle assembly is mounted in the carrier block assembly and is movable with the carrier block assembly. The at least one needle assembly extends distally of the carrier block and is slidably disposed in the at least one guide tube. A slider is mounted on the housing exterior of the housing for slidable movement longitudinally of the housing and is adapted to be grasped by the thumb of the hand holding the housing. The slider is connected to the carrier block whereby when the slider is moved distally, the carrier block with the needle assembly is moved in the guide tube distally of the guide tube for entrance into the soft tissue.