| abstract |
A device and a method for heating tissue, the device having a catheter shaft (10) for insertion into a patient's body, a chamber formed by a collapsible balloon (8) mounted on the shaft and filled with an electrically conductive fluid (36). A power supply (50) applies an electrical potential to two or more contacts (22, 24) within the chamber via conductors (18, 20). The fluid is heated on the basis of I2R losses by a radio frequency electric current flowing between electrodes, and in turn heat the surrounding tissue. According to the method, the device is inserted into a patient's body, the chamber is filled with the fluid, and an electrical potential is applied to the contacts. The device acts as a temperature source, and a thermistor (26) in the balloon or in contact with tissue responds to the heating effect to control application of the current. |