Cell necrosis apparatus

Abstract

A cell necrosis apparatus has a flexible introducer including a lumen and a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue. An energy delivery device is positionable in the introducer as the introducer is advanced through tissue. The energy delivery device includes a first RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal portion and a second RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal portion. The first and second RF electrodes are deployable with curvature from the introducer at a selected tissue site in a lateral direction away from the periphery of the introducer.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: 
 a flexible introducer including a lumen and a distal end sufficiently sharp to penetrate tissue;    an energy delivery device including a first RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal portion and a second RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal portion, the first and second RF electrodes being positionable in the introducer as the introducer and deployable with curvature from the introducer and exhibiting a changing direction of travel as advanced to a selected tissue site, wherein the first and second RF electrodes exhibit at the selected tissue site a first curved section and a second curved section.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a rigid electrode advancement member coupled to the energy delivery device.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second RF electrodes exhibit at the selected tissue the first curved section, the second section and a linear section coupled to the first and second curved sections.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an insulator positioned in a surrounding relation to at least a portion of the introducer.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a sensor coupled to the first RF electrode.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the sensor is a thermal sensor..  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a sensor coupled to the introducer.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising: 
 a feedback control coupled to the sensor and to the first RF electrode.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an impedance measurement apparatus coupled to the energy delivery device.    
     
     
         10 . An cell necrosis apparatus, comprising: 
 an obturator including an obturator lumen and tissue piercing distal end;    a flexible introducer positionable in the obturator lumen;    an energy delivery device including a first RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal portion and a second RF electrode with a tissue piercing distal portion, the first and second RF electrodes being positionable in the introducer as the introducer and deployable with curvature from the introducer and exhibiting a changing direction of travel as advanced to a selected tissue site, wherein the first and second RF electrodes exhibit at the selected tissue site a first curved section and a second curved section.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a rigid electrode advancement member coupled to the energy delivery device.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second RF electrodes exhibit at the selected tissue the first curved section, the second section and a linear section coupled to the first and second curved sections.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an insulator positioned in a surrounding relation to at least a portion of the introducer.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a sensor coupled to the first RF electrode.    
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is a thermal sensor.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  10 , further comprising: 
 a sensor coupled to the introducer.    
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a feedback control coupled to the sensor and to the first RF electrode.    
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an impedance measurement apparatus coupled to the energy delivery device.