MULTI-ELECTRODE APPARATUS FOR TISSUE WELDING AND ABLATION
An apparatus for delivering energy to tissue, including: an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end; a sheath disposed over the elongate flexible member; a plurality of resilient members disposed attached to the elongate member and predisposed to assume a first predefined shape, wherein the resilient members are adapted to be housed in a collapsed state within the sheath prior to deployment; and at least one energy delivery device formed on each said resilient member.
1 . An apparatus for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:
an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end;
a sheath disposed over the elongate flexible member;
a plurality of resilient members disposed attached to the elongate member and predisposed to assume a first predefined shape, wherein the resilient members are adapted to be housed in a collapsed state within the sheath prior to deployment; and
at least one energy delivery device formed on each said resilient member.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the self-expanding members are adapted to conform to a layered tissue defect.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the predefined shape is generally one of an L-shape, a spiral, a square shape, and a series of interlocking squares.
4 . A catheter apparatus for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:
an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end;
a sheath disposed over the elongate flexible member;
a plurality of resilient members disposed attached to the elongate member and predisposed to assume a first predefined shape selected from the group of L-shaped, spiral, square shape, circle, and series of interlocking squares;
said resilient members being adapted to be housed in a collapsed state within the sheath prior to deployment; and
at least one energy delivery device formed on each said resilient member.
5 . A catheter apparatus for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:
an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one elastically deformable member disposed attached to the elongate member and predisposed to assume a first predefined shape; and
at least two electrodes formed on said elastically deformable member.
6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the self-expanding members are adapted to conform to a layered tissue defect.
7 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the predefined shape is generally one of an L-shape, a spiral, a square shape, and a series of interlocking squares.