Large area thermal ablation

Abstract

A large area thermal ablation apparatus for use with an endoscope includes a housing and at least one electrode. The housing is removably attachable to a distal terminating end of the endoscope. The housing includes an outer surface and a cross-sectional area that is at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope. The electrode is supported by the outer surface of the housing. The electrode is capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . An apparatus for use with an endoscope comprising:
 an articulating housing removably attachable to a distal terminating end of the endoscope, the housing comprising an outer surface and a cross-sectional area at least as large as a cross-sectional area of the distal terminating end of the endoscope, the articulating housing configured to articulate relative to the endoscope when secured thereto; and   at least one electrode supported by at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing and capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region.   
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein a plurality of electrodes are supported by at least a portion of the outer surface of the housing and capable of delivering energy to a tissue region inside a body to ablate the tissue region. 
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the plurality of electrodes are formed in a pattern. 
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of  claim 63 , wherein the pattern comprises a row of linear elements. 
     
     
         65 . The apparatus of  claim 63 , wherein the pattern comprises a helical pattern. 
     
     
         66 . The apparatus of  claim 62 , wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise a bipolar arrangement of interspersed electrodes. 
     
     
         67 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the housing comprises an insulator. 
     
     
         68 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the housing comprises at least one of a ceramic material, a glass, and a polymeric material. 
     
     
         69 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the insulator comprises a thermal insulator. 
     
     
         70 . The apparatus of  claim 67 , wherein the insulator comprises and electrical insulator. 
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein at least a portion of the housing is transparent. 
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the housing comprises at least one groove and a plurality of electrodes are positioned in the groove. 
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the housing is substantially ring-shaped. 
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , wherein the housing further comprises a stop ring. 
     
     
         75 . The apparatus of  claim 61 , further comprising an electrical conduit extending proximally from the housing, the electrical conduit having a connector in electrical communication with a proximal end thereof. 
     
     
         76 - 80 . (canceled)