Systems and methods for electrosurgical tendon vascularization
First Claim
1. A method of promoting blood flow to a target tissue, the method comprising:
- positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and
applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to promote vascularization of the target tissue, wherein the target tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for promoting blood flow to a target tissue. In one aspect, the invention involves canalizing or boring channels, divots, trenches or holes through an avascular connective tissue, or through a tissue having sparse vascularity, such as a tendon or a meniscus, in order to increase blood flow within the tissue. In one method, an active electrode is positioned in close proximity to a target site on a tendon, and a high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active electrode and a return electrode to selectively ablate tendon tissue at the target site, thereby forming a channel or void in the tendon. The active electrode(s) may be moved relative to the tendon during, or after, the application of electrical energy to damage or sculpt a void within the tendon, such as a hole, channel, crater, or the like. In another aspect of the invention, an electrosurgical probe is used to elicit a wound healing response in a target tissue, such as an injured tendon, in order to stimulate vascularization of the target tissue. The present invention may also be used for vascularization of a torn or damaged tissue in conjunction with a surgical repair procedure.
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Citations
78 Claims
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1. A method of promoting blood flow to a target tissue, the method comprising:
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positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and
applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to promote vascularization of the target tissue, wherein the target tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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17. A method of vascularizing a region of a tendon, comprising:
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positioning a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument adjacent to the tendon; and
applying energy to the tendon to heat the tendon to promote blood flow to the tendon.
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24. A method of vascularizing a tendon, the method comprising:
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positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the tendon; and
heating the tendon via a voltage applied to the active electrode so as to damage the tendon, wherein the damage is sufficient to cause a neovascular response and increased blood flow to the tendon.
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25. An electrosurgical device for vascularization of a tendon, the device comprising:
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an instrument shaft having proximal and distal end portions and an active electrode disposed on the distal end portion; and
a connector disposed on or within the shaft, the connector adapted for coupling the active electrode to a high frequency power supply, the high frequency power supply adapted for applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to effect the volumetric removal of tendon tissue adjacent to the active electrode and to promote blood flow to the tendon.
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38. A method of vascularizing a target tissue, the method comprising:
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a) positioning an electrosurgical probe in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and
b) applying sufficient radio frequency energy to the target tissue to promote blood flow to the target tissue, wherein the target tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus.
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45. A method of treating a target tissue with an electrosurgical probe, the method comprising:
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a) forming one or more channels within the target tissue by the application of electrical energy thereto; and
b) inserting an implant into at least one of the one or more channels.
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57. A method of vascularizing a target tissue, the method comprising:
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a) positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue at a first location;
b) applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to form a first channel within the target tissue at the first location;
c) re-positioning the active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue at a subsequent location;
d) applying the high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to form a subsequent channel within the target tissue at the subsequent location; and
e) sequentially repeating said steps c) and d) until a suitable number of channels have been formed within the target tissue.
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66. An electrosurgical system for treating a target tissue of a joint, comprising:
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a probe including a shaft having a shaft distal end, and an electrode assembly disposed on the shaft distal end; and
a sensing unit for determining a location of a boundary of the target tissue, wherein the target tissue comprises a tendon, a ligament, or a meniscus. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
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74. An electrosurgical probe, comprising:
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a shaft having a shaft proximal end portion and a shaft distal end portion;
an electrode assembly disposed on the shaft distal end portion; and
a sensing element disposed on the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (75, 76, 77, 78)
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Specification