US Patent 6960203 Thermal ablation with deployable cage

A medical device is provided and includes a thermal ablation catheter and a deployable cage assembly for use in thermal ablation therapy. The deployable cage assembly includes a plurality of arms, each of which has a pair of opposed ends attached to the thermal ablation catheter. Each of the arms is movable from a relaxed configuration to a deployed configuration. When relaxed, the arms are substantially proximate to the thermal ablation catheter. When deployed, the arms cooperate with each other to form an open structure which extends radially outward from the thermal ablation catheter. The thermal ablation device also includes a distensible bladder that serves as an endocervical seal.