Over-the-wire high frequency electrode

A system for ablation of tissue in the living body comprising:

• a guide element;
• and
• an ablation system including:
• an elongate member defining a longitudinal channel having a distal opening and proximal opening, the elongate member being dimensioned to slide along and over the guide element directed into the tissue, a distal portion of the elongate member having a blunt distal tip, the elongate member comprising a metal tube having an external surface and an electrical insulator configured to electrically insulate a portion of the external surface of the metal tube, an inner metal tube disposed within the metal tube and defining a portion of the channel, and the blunt tip comprising a fluid sealed junction between the metal tube and the inner metal tube;
• and
• an electrode at a distal portion of the elongate member and configured to be energized with high frequency energy to ablate the tissue;
• the electrode comprising an exposed portion of the external surface of the outer metal tube;
• a fluid channel within the elongate member the fluid channel in fluid communication with a fluid input port and a fluid output port and in thermal communication with the electrode;
• the fluid channel being located at least in part between the metal tube and the inner metal tube.

A method for thermal ablation of a target volume comprising:

• perforating and penetrating a living body using a guide element to establish a tract through the body to the target volume by at least passing a sharp needle through skin and tissue;
• sliding an electrode along and over the guide element directed into the body to position the electrode near the target volume, the electrode including an elongate member defining a longitudinal passage dimensioned to pass along the guide wire, a conductive surface at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an electrical connection between the conductive surface and a proximal portion of the elongate member, by at least passing the guide wire through the needle and removing the needle over the guide wire to leave the guide wire in the tract;
• connecting the electrical connection to a high frequency generator;
• supplying high frequency energy from the generator through the electrode to the target volume to thermally ablate the target volume.

A method for thermal ablation of a target volume comprising:

• perforating and penetrating a living body using a guide element to establish a tract through the body to the target volume;
• sliding an electrode along and over the guide element directed into the body to position the electrode near the target volume, the electrode including an elongate member defining a longitudinal passage dimensioned to pass along the guide wire, a conductive surface at a distal portion of the elongate member, and an electrical connection between the conductive surface and a proximal portion of the elongate member;
• connecting the electrical connection to a high frequency generator;
• supplying high frequency energy from the generator through the electrode to the target volume to thermally ablate the target volume;
• and
• introducing a chemotherapeutic agent through the guide element prior to or while supplying high frequency energy.