A tissue surface treatment apparatus includes a housing having a proximal
end, a distal end including a tissue contacting surface, an interior
defined by the housing and a handpiece coupled to the housing. The
contactinc surface has a plurality of apertures. An energy delivery
device including an electrode is positionable in the housing interior.
The electrode includes a tissue penetrating distal end in substantial
alignment with an aperture. The electrode is configured to be advanced
from the housing interior through the aperture and into a target tissue
site to define an ablation volume at least partly bounded by a tissue
surface. An advancement device is coupled to the energy delivery device
and is at least partly positionable within at least one of the housing or
the handpiece. The advancement device is configured to advance the
electrode from the housing interior into the target tissue site and
withdrawal the electrode into the housing interior. A cable is coupled to
the housing or the energy delivery device and is configured to be coupled
to an energy source.
