Abstract: An ablation apparatus has a balloon that is inserted into an organ of a body and ablates all or a selected portion of the inner layer of the organ. Electrolytic solution fills the balloon, and the balloon includes a plurality of apertures from which electrolytic solution flows from the balloon. The flow rate of electrolytic solution is dependent on the pressure applied to the balloon by the electrolytic solution. A conforming member, with a conductive surface and a back side, is made of a material that substantially conforms, to a shape of the inner layer of the organ and delivers the electrolytic solution and RF energy through the conductive surface to the inner layer. Advantageously, difficult to access areas are reached with the inclusion of the conforming member. Optionally positioned between the conforming member and the balloon is a porous membrane. A printed circuit is printed in or on the conforming member and delivers RF energy to selected sections of the inner layer.

Abstract: A wound closure, hemostasis device, such as a femoral hemostat, includes an inflatable balloon with an inflation and deflation outlet. A placement patch includes an aperture for receiving the inflation and deflation outlet. The inflatable balloon is coupled to the placement patch and positioned adjacent to a wound site or a bleeding vessel. A belt straps through the placement patch and around the patient's body or a patient's appendage and holds the placement patch at the wound site or bleeding vessel. An inflation tube is coupled to the inflation and deflation outlet. An inflation apparatus is coupled to the inflation and deflation outlet.

Abstract: An endocardial ablation apparatus, for introduction into a heart chamber formed by a wall, is provides. The ablation apparatus includes an inflatable, flexible porous membrane adapted to receive an electrolytic solution, and become inflated to substantially conform an exterior surface of the membrane to the wall of the heart chamber. An inner lumenal member is surrounded by and attached to the membrane. The inner lumenal member includes a lumen that permits blood flow through the inner lumenal member and heart chamber. An introducer catheter introduces the membrane and inner lumenal member into a selected heart chamber. A plurality of RF electrodes define a circuit positioned in the membrane or on an exterior surface of the inner lumenal member. The RF electrodes transfer thermal energy to the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution is the electrode that provides ablation of a selected site of the heart chamber. An RF power source is coupled to the RF electrodes.

Abstract: An endocardial ablation and mapping apparatus is introduced into a heart chamber for mapping to detect arrhythmogenic foci, and ablate endocardium at the arrhythmogenic foci. An inflatable, flexible porous membrane is adapted to receive an electrolytic solution, and become inflated to substantially conform a conductive surface of the membrane to the wall of the heart chamber. A membrane support is surrounded by the membrane, and includes a sealed proximal end and a sealed distal end. Each end has an aperture formed therein defining a central lumen in the membrane support that permits blood flow through the support member and the heart chamber. The membrane support is attached to the membrane and is expanded to a non-distensible state when the membrane is inflated. A catheter, with a distal end, is attached to the membrane or the membrane support.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus for ablating an inner layer in an organ or lumen of a body, or any desired thin layer, includes an expandable member made of a material with a porous exterior surface. An electrolytic solution, housed in an interior of the expandable member, releases electrolytic solution through the porous exterior surface. A conforming member, which can be an open cell foam material, has an RF conductive surface, and a back side in a surrounding relationship to an exterior surface of the expandable member. Further, the conforming member includes non-zone areas that have a first porosity rate for delivering electrolytic solution to the inner layer. The conforming member also includes a zone for housing each RF electrode and electrolytic solution. Zones have a second porosity rate that is less than the first porosity rate, thus permitting electrolytic solution to pass through the non-zone areas at a faster rate than in the zones.

Abstract: A method of medical ablation of tissue accessible thorough the mouth or nose is disclosed having the steps of: a) inserting a probe through the mouth into the oral cavity, wherein said probe has a disposable electrode enclosed within an insulating sleeve bendable therewith; b) steering said probe through the oral cavity into close proximity to the tissue; c) extending the disposable electrode and the insulating sleeve out of the probe and penetrating the tissue; and d) applying RF energy to the tissue surrounding the electrode to effect ablation of said tissue.

Abstract: An ablation apparatus has a balloon that is inserted into an organ of a body and ablates all or a selected portion of the inner layer of the organ. Electrolytic solution fills the balloon, and the balloon includes a plurality of apertures from which electrolytic solution flows from the balloon. The flow rate of electrolytic solution is dependent on the pressure applied to the balloon by the electrolytic solution. A conforming member, with a conductive surface and a back side, is made of a material that substantially conforms to a shape of the inner layer of the organ and delivers the electrolytic solution and RF energy through the conductive surface to the inner layer. Advantageously, difficult to access areas are reached with the inclusion of the conforming member. Optionally positioned between the conforming member and the balloon is a porous membrane. A printed circuit is printed in or on the conforming member and delivers RF energy to selected sections of the inner layer.