Electrical energy ablation systems, devices and methods for the treatment of tissue

Abstract

A device for ablating target tissue of a patient with electrical energy is provided. An elongate shaft includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, and a radially expandable element is attached to the distal portion. An ablation element for delivering electrical energy to target tissue is mounted to the radially expandable element. The device can be constructed and arranged to ablate the duodenal mucosa of a patient while avoiding damage to the duodenal adventitial tissue. Systems and methods of treating target tissue are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for ablating tissue of a patient with electrical energy comprising:
 an elongate shaft with a proximal portion and a distal portion;   a radially expandable element attached to the elongate shaft distal portion; and   an ablation element mounted to the radially expandable element, wherein the ablation element is constructed and arranged to deliver electrical energy to target tissue;   wherein the device is constructed and arranged to ablate duodenal mucosal tissue while avoiding damaging duodenal adventitial tissue.