Abstract: An ablation catheter (10) includes an elongate carrier (12). A first loop (14.1) is arranged at or adjacent a distal end of the carrier (12). At least one sensing electrode (40) is carried on the first loop (14.1) for sensing irregular activity in a patient's body. At least one further loop (14.2) is arranged proximally relative to the first loop (14.1) on the carrier (12) in a fixed orientation relative to the first loop (14.1). At least one ablating electrode (42) is carried on the second loop (14.2) for ablating a site of the patient's body where irregular electrical activity occurs. In another form of the invention, the ablation catheter includes a carrier (12) having a loop (14) defined at the distal end, the loop (14) comprising a first arm (18) and a second arm (22), the arms (18, 22) of the loop (14) being at least partly electrically isolated with respect to each other and at least one electrode (16, 20) arranged on each arm (18, 22) of the loop (14).

Abstract: The electrode of a manipulator cuts tissue. The scalpel has rectifying circuit for supplying a rectified voltage to a radio frequency circuit which produces an output current signal at a substantially constant frequency to the electrode. The radio frequency circuit has an electronic switch controlled by an oscillator and pilot circuit. According to the method a wave form is applied to the electrode having such a power that the energy transferred to the manipulator is substantially equal to the sum of the energies required to break the bonds of the molecules of the tissue to be cut. The invention relates also to the electronic scalpel carrying out said method.

Abstract: An electrosurgical electrode for performing an EFBL procedure comprises an elongated thin, forceps-shaped structure shaped to substantially match the curvature of the skull extending from the brow upward to a position at or above the hairline. The electrode terminates at a distal end in electrically-conductive spaced tips that are bare. The electrode is bipolar and is connected to electrosurgical apparatus capable of generating RF electrosurgical currents, preferably at a frequency of about 4 MHz. Bipolar forceps can also be provided at the end of a flexible tip handpiece, the forceps being manipulated by extending and retracting the forceps from the handpiece end.