Configurable multi-polar RF ablation probe

A lesion control system comprising:

• a radio-frequency (RF) generator that produces RF energy having a predetermined frequency and power;
• a controller comprising a microprocessor;
• a multi-polar RF ablation probe having a plurality of electrical contacts;
• a plurality of RF input lines electrically coupled to an output terminal of the RF generator;
• a plurality of RF output lines, each RF output line electrically coupled to a respective one or more of the electrical contacts in the multi-polar RF ablation probe;
• an RF return line electrically coupled to a return terminal of the RF generator;
• and
• a plurality of switches, each switch having a respective terminal electrically coupled to a respective RF output line, each switch electrically coupled to the controller,
• wherein the controller is configured to produce switch control signals that change a respective state of one or more of the switches to set a configuration of the multi-polar RF ablation probe;
• the system further comprising:
• a plurality of variable impedance matching circuits;
• a plurality of impedance detectors, each impedance detector having an input electrically coupled to an output of a respective variable impedance matching circuit and an output electrically coupled to an input of the controller,
• wherein each variable impedance matching circuit and each impedance detector are electrically coupled to a respective RF input line.