Platelet inhibitor eluting ablation catheter

A catheter system for use within a body cavity, said catheter comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal-end region;
• a lumen network carried by the shaft and having a proximal opening communicating with a source of platelet inhibitor solution and at least one distal opening adapted to terminate at the outside surface of the shaft;
• and
• a first mechanism adapted to force the platelet inhibitor solution from the source through the at least one distal opening of the lumen network.

A method of applying energy to biological tissue within a biological site having biological fluid therein, said method comprising:

• positioning a catheter having at least one electrode and at least one pocket carried by the catheter having an opening terminating at the outside surface of the catheter, within the biological site so that the electrode is adjacent the tissue to be ablated;
• and
• applying RF energy to the at least one electrode;
• wherein the pocket is filled with a platelet inhibitor substance adapted to elute upon contact with the biological fluid.

A method of applying energy to biological tissue within a biological site using a catheter having at least one electrode and a lumen network carried by the shaft having a proximal opening communicating with a source of platelet inhibitor solution and at least one distal opening terminating at an outside surface of the shaft, said method comprising:

• positioning the catheter within the biological site so that the electrode is adjacent the tissue to be ablated;
• forcing the platelet inhibitor solution from the source through the at least one distal opening of the lumen network;
• and
• applying energy to the electrode.

A method of applying energy to biological tissue within a biological site having biological fluid therein, said method comprising:

• positioning a catheter having at least one electrode and at least one recess carried by the catheter having an opening terminating at the outside surface of the catheter, within the biological site so that the electrode is adjacent the tissue to be ablated;
• and
• applying energy to the at least one electrode;
• wherein the recess is filled with a matrix having a platelet inhibitor substance dispersed therein that is adapted to elute upon contact with the biological fluid.