Disclosed are a negative electrode for lithium secondary batteries, containing an active material capable of absorbingdesorbing lithium ions and a binder, wherein the active material is a carbon-based material obtained from at least one starting material selected from a group consisting of petroleum cokes and coal cokes and having a mean particle size of from 1 to 30 and a true density of from 1. The outer sheath or catheter includes two spaced apart openings that may be positioned in a vessel or artery on opposing sides of an occlusion. The electrode assembly has a least one RF electrode that is capacitively coupled to a skin surface when at least a portion of the RF electrode is in contact with the skin surface. For example, the subject methods are useful for treatment of inflammatory and immune disorders and disease such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease.