Medical devices and related methods

Abstract

A medical device includes a shaft including a lumen configured to direct a flow of fluid through the shaft and an electrode. A proximal end of the electrode and a distal end of the shaft form a coupling configured to releasably couple the proximal end of the electrode with the distal end of the shaft. When the proximal end of the electrode is coupled to the distal end of the shaft, fluid delivered through the lumen is emitted from the electrode.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 coupling a first electrode with a first structure to a distal end of a medical device shaft, wherein the coupling includes releasably coupling an internal component of the medical device shaft to a portion of the first electrode;   uncoupling the first electrode from the distal end; and   coupling a second electrode with a second structure to the distal end, wherein the second structure is different than the first structure.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein uncoupling the first electrode includes an action on a medical device handle coupled to a proximal end of the shaft, wherein the action on the medical device handle retracts one or more arms causing the one or more arms to expand and uncouple the arms from a proximal portion of the first electrode. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the one or more arms are biased radially outward. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first electrode includes a first fluid flow path, and wherein the second electrode includes a second fluid flow path having a shape different from a shape of the first fluid flow path. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the first fluid flow path includes a radial flow path, and wherein the second fluid flow path extends at an acute angle relative a central longitudinal axis of the distal end of the medical device shaft. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the first electrode includes a first insulation pattern, and wherein the second electrode includes a second insulation pattern different from the first insulation pattern. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the first insulation pattern includes a rounded annular insulation pattern on a distal end face of the first electrode, and wherein the second insulation pattern includes a dotted insulation pattern on a distal end face of the second electrode. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein uncoupling the first electrode from the distal end includes an action on a medical device handle, and wherein coupling the second electrode to the distal end includes inserting the distal end of the medical device shaft into an opening of a cartridge, wherein the opening of the cartridge retains the second electrode. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the cartridge includes a plurality of openings, with each opening retaining a different electrode with a different fluid flow path and/or a different insulation pattern. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising, before uncoupling the first electrode from the distal end, energizing at least a portion of the first electrode. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein energizing at least a portion of the first electrode includes an action on a switch on a handle. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the switch is a slide switch that is movable between different positions, wherein the different positions of the slide switch correspond to different operational states of the first electrode. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first electrode includes a first conductive member and a second conductive member, wherein the different operational states include a first operational state in which neither the first conductive member nor the second conductive member of the first electrode is energized, a second operational state in which the first conductive member of the first electrode is energized and the second conductive member of the first electrode is not energized, a third operational state in which the second conductive member of the first electrode is energized and the first conductive member of the first electrode is not energized, and a fourth operational state in which both the first conductive member and the second conductive member of the first electrode are energized. 
     
     
         32 . A method, comprising:
 coupling a first electrode with a first structure to a distal end of a medical device shaft, wherein the coupling includes releasably coupling an internal component of the medical device shaft to a portion of the first electrode;   uncoupling the first electrode from the distal end; and   coupling a second electrode with a second structure to the distal end, wherein the second structure includes a shape of a fluid flow path and/or an insulation pattern that is different from a shape of a fluid flow path and/or an insulation pattern than the first structure.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein uncoupling the first electrode includes an action on a medical device handle coupled to a proximal end of the medical device shaft, wherein the action on the medical device handle retracts a plurality of arms causing the plurality of arms to expand and uncouple the plurality of arms from a proximal portion of the first electrode, and wherein the plurality of arms are biased radially outward. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first electrode includes a radial flow path, and wherein the second electrode includes a fluid flow path that extends at an acute angle relative a central longitudinal axis of the distal end of the medical device shaft 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first electrode includes a rounded annular insulation pattern on a distal end face of the first electrode, and wherein the second electrode includes a dotted insulation pattern on a distal end face of the second electrode. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising, before uncoupling the first electrode from the distal end, energizing at least a portion of the first electrode, and
 after coupling the second electrode to the distal end, energizing at least a portion of the second electrode.   
     
     
         37 . A method, comprising:
 coupling a first electrode with a first structure to a distal end of a medical device shaft, wherein the coupling includes releasably coupling one or more radially biased arms of the medical device shaft to a portion of the first electrode;   energizing at least a portion of the first electrode; and   uncoupling the first electrode from the distal end by retracting the one or more radially biased arms.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 coupling a second electrode with a second structure to the distal end via the one or more radially biased arms, wherein the second structure is different than the first structure; and   energizing at least a portion of the second electrode,   wherein the first electrode includes a rounded annular insulation pattern on a distal end face of the first electrode, and wherein the second electrode includes a dotted insulation pattern on a distal end face of the second electrode.