HOT TIP CATHETER

摘要

A system, and method for treating a stenosis or blockage in a bodily fluid passageway is described which includes a catheter (10), a controller (40) for generating RF energy along a pair of output lines (40), a monitoring circuit (70) for monitoring the phase of the RF energy along the output lines, an impedance matching circuit (60) for adjusting the output impedance of the generator (50) so that it equals that of the load, e.g., the patient. The catheter includes a catheter body which is inserted into the bodily passageway, and operatively connected to the controller. A lumen (16) in the catheter body defines an opening. A stainless steel, metallic-plated mandril (18) is disposed within the lumen so that a terminal end thereof extends through the opening, and into the bodily passageway. An internal electrode (26) is joined to the terminal end of the mandril.