METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ABLATION OF LUMINAL TISSUES

摘要

An electrosurgical probe (12) comprises a shaft having an electrode array (20) disposed over a recessed surface at its distal end. The electrode array includes a plurality of isolated electrode terminals (28), and an electrosurgical power supply (14) may be connected to the array via a connector at the distal end of the probe. The electrosurgical power supply will be provided with a plurality of independently limited or controlled current sources. By applying very high frequency electrical energy to the electrical array with the power supply, target issue may be ablated while heat dissipation through low impedance path is minimized. The probe is particularly suitable for treatment of surfaces of body lumens, such as the mucosal surface within an enlarged prostate.