Ablation device having an expandable chamber for anchoring the ablation device to tissue

Abstract

A surgical instrument is provided including a handle assembly, a shaft electrically coupled to the handle assembly and extending therefrom, an electrode assembly electrically coupled to the shaft for transmitting energy to tissue to treat tissue, and a chamber defined in the shaft and positioned proximal a distal end thereof and configured to selectively expand. The expansion of the chamber anchors the surgical instrument to the tissue.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An ablation device, comprising:
 an elongate shaft extending from a handle assembly;   an ablation electrode configured to releasably couple to a distal end portion of the elongate shaft, the ablation electrode having a distal tip configured to penetrate tissue; and   a chamber disposed on the elongate shaft and configured to receive a fluid to expand the chamber relative to the elongate shaft.   
     
     
         22 . The ablation device according to  claim 21 , wherein the ablation electrode defines a hollow interior configured to fluidly communicate with a lumen defined through the elongate shaft upon coupling of the ablation electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The ablation device according to  claim 21 , wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with the handle assembly via the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         24 . The ablation device according to  claim 21 , wherein the chamber includes a plurality of protrusions extending from an outer surface of the chamber, the plurality of protrusions configured to penetrate tissue upon expansion of the chamber. 
     
     
         25 . The ablation device according to  claim 21 , wherein the ablation electrode is configured to electrically connect to an energy source via the elongate shaft upon coupling of the ablation electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         26 . The ablation device according to  claim 21 , wherein a type of the ablation electrode is configured to be identified based on the coupling of the ablation electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         27 . The ablation device according to  claim 26 , wherein the ablation electrode defines a hollow interior configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source based on the identified type of the ablation electrode. 
     
     
         28 . An ablation device, comprising:
 an elongate shaft extending from a handle assembly;   a needle electrode configured to releasably couple to a distal end portion of the elongate shaft, the needle electrode defining a hollow interior configured to fluidly communicate with a lumen defined through the elongate shaft upon coupling of the needle electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft; and   a chamber disposed on the elongate shaft and configured to receive a fluid to expand the chamber relative to the elongate shaft.   
     
     
         29 . The ablation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with the handle assembly via the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         30 . The ablation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the needle electrode is configured to electrically connect to an energy source via the elongate shaft upon coupling of the needle electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         31 . The ablation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the chamber includes a plurality of protrusions extending from an outer surface of the chamber, the plurality of protrusions configured to penetrate tissue upon expansion of the chamber. 
     
     
         32 . The ablation device according to  claim 28 , wherein the needle electrode includes a distal tip configured to penetrate tissue. 
     
     
         33 . The ablation device according to  claim 28 , wherein a type of the needle electrode is configured to be identified based on the coupling of the needle electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         34 . The ablation device according to  claim 33 , wherein the hollow interior defined by the needle electrode is configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source based on the identified type of the needle electrode. 
     
     
         35 . An ablation device, comprising:
 an elongate shaft extending from a handle assembly;   a needle electrode configured to releasably couple to a distal end portion of the elongate shaft, the needle electrode configured to electrically connect to an energy source via the elongate shaft upon coupling of the needle electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft; and   a chamber disposed on the elongate shaft and configured to receive a fluid to expand the chamber relative to the elongate shaft.   
     
     
         36 . The ablation device according to  claim 35 , wherein the needle electrode defines a hollow interior configured to fluidly communicate with a lumen defined through the elongate shaft upon coupling of the needle electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         37 . The ablation device according to  claim 35 , wherein the chamber is in fluid communication with the handle assembly via the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         38 . The ablation device according to  claim 35 , wherein the needle electrode includes a distal tip configured to penetrate tissue. 
     
     
         39 . The ablation device according to  claim 35 , wherein a type of the needle electrode is configured to be identified based on the coupling of the needle electrode to the distal end portion of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         40 . The ablation device according to  claim 39 , wherein the needle electrode defines a hollow interior configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source based on the identified type of the needle electrode.