Abstract: Electrode needle for the treatment of parenchymatous tumours through radiofrequency-induced interstitial hyperthermy, comprising a hollow guide needle (11) and a radiofrequnecy active filament (12) threaded into the needle, connectable to a radiofrequency generator and capable of axial movements between an inactive position retracted into the needle and an active position of protrusion of a terminal segment of the filament from the distal end of the needle, characterised in that said terminal segment (13) of the filament is shaped to pass from a rectilinear shape when the filament is in retracted into the needle, to a spiral shape when the filament is in the active forward position.

Abstract: An electrosurgical probe including a metal cannula, partially provided with an electroinsulating coating, and filiform electrodes housed in the cannula in a stretched position. The filiform electrodes are provided with an elastic memory of an arched shape and as a result, come out from the cannula to occupy a limited, nearly spherical volume. The electrodes are fixed to the distal end of a control rod slidably arranged inside the cannula so that the electrodes in a stretched position are arranged side by side parallel with the control rod. The cannula includes a series of holes each positioned immediately under the free ends of the filiform electrodes and having a sufficient diameter for the passage of a respective one of the electrodes. The electrodes are removed from the cannula by pulling the control rod and retracted into the cannula by pushing the control rod.

Abstract: A catheter for the treatment of tumors by hyperthermia induced by radiofrequency or other energy comprises a tubular body (1) having a proximal end (2) connected to a handle member and near the other end a cooled metal plate (5) capable to act as active electrode provided with an electric cable (8) for the connection to the energy generator and with thermistors (9, 10) to be connected to the display of the said generator, the tubular body (1) having at least a longitudinal channel (11, 12) for the passage of tissual thermistors, a longitudinal channel for the passage of electric cables and a pair of longitudinal channels for inflow and outflow pipes of the liquid cooling the metal plate (5).