ABLATION DEVICE HAVING A SHEATH WITH A DILATABLE MEMBER FOR FIXATION AND/OR SUPPORT OF AN ABLATION APPLICATOR, AND METHOD OF OPERATING AN ABLATION DEVICE
An ablation device is described. The ablation device comprises (a) an ablation catheter having an ablation applicator, and (b) a sheath comprising an elongate tubular member and a dilatable member arranged at the distal end of the elongate tubular member. The elongate tubular member defines an inner lumen adapted to receive the ablation catheter having the ablation applicator, wherein the elongate tubular member comprises an opening at a distal end thereof, the opening being adapted to allow the ablation applicator to extend in front of the distal end. The elongate tubular member comprises an outer wall in which a canal structure is formed, wherein the canal structure is in fluid communication with the dilatable member, and wherein the canal structure is adapted to supply fluid to the dilatable member in order to dilate it and to discharge fluid from the dilatable member in order to compress it. The ablation catheter is slidably arranged within the inner lumen of the sheath. Furthermore, an ablation system and an ablation method are described.
