A spring-tip, flexible
electrode, and a method for using that
electrode for
tissue ablation, are disclosed. The spring-tip, flexible
electrode comprises an enshrouded flexible electrode (e.g., an enshrouded plurality of flexible
brush filaments or bristles) for applying ablative energy (e.g., RF energy) to
target tissue during the formation of spot or continuous linear lesions. The spring of the spring tip may comprise compressible coils, compressible mesh, or compressible
bellows, among other things. The spring provides axial suspension and is capable of
axial compression and extension, and is flexible enough for deflection and bending. The axial suspension of the spring tip facilitates the desired contact between the electrode and the
tissue surface. A shielded, spring-tip, flexible electrode is also disclosed, and includes a flexible nipple or shield. The spring-tip, flexible electrode facilitates enhanced tissue contact in difficult environments (e.g., during
ablation of a contoured or trabeculated surface inside a
beating heart) since the flexible electrode readily conforms to surface contours while the bending stress of the spring enhances the contract pressure on the tissue.