CPC A61B 18/1815 (2013.01) [A61B 2018/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00982 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1838 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1869 (2013.01)] | 16 Claims |
1. A system comprising: an energy delivery device having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the energy delivery device comprises: a) an antenna having a proximal end and a distal end and a fixed width and length, wherein the antenna has a linear shape extending from the proximal end to the distal end, wherein the antenna comprises an inner conductor having an inner conductor proximal end and an inner conductor distal end, and coolant channels for circulating carbon dioxide at or near its critical point from the proximal end of the energy delivery device to the distal end of the energy delivery device; and b) a permanent sharp tip positioned at the distal end of the antenna, wherein the permanent sharp tip is encapsulated in a biocompatible material through exposure of the permanent sharp tip to carbon dioxide gas at or near its critical point circulated from the coolant channels thereby rendering the distal end of the energy delivery device non-sharp, wherein the permanent sharp tip encapsulated in the biocompatible material has a width that is not larger than the width of the antenna, wherein the biocompatible material is any material that in the absence of exposure to carbon dioxide gas at or near its critical point will dissolve resulting in a non-encapsulated permanent tip; and a coolant supply in fluid communication with the coolant channels in the energy delivery device, wherein the coolant supply comprises carbon dioxide; and a control processor configured to regulate the exposure of the permanent sharp tip to carbon dioxide gas at or near its critical point circulated from the coolant channels in order to encapsulate the permanent tip in the biocompatible material.
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