METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DIRECT HEATING OF FLUID SOLUTION IN A HOLLOW BODY ORGAN

摘要

The invention provides improved methods and devices for heating a thermally conductive fluid within an internal body organ thermally to ablate or necrose the body organ. In an examplary embodiment, the invention provides a thermal ablation device (10) having an elongate member (12) with a proximal end (14), and a distal end (16). A heating apparatus is provided near the distal end (16) of the elongate member (12) which is constructed to heat a thermally conductive fluid without substantial direct heating of the heating apparatus. A fluid circulator (50) is provided near the heating apparatus which circulates the thermally conductive fluid past the heating apparatus.