Electrosurgical system and method
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical system comprising a radio frequency generator, an electrosurgical instrument, and a fluid enclosure, the generator having a radio frequency output for delivery of power to the electrosurgical instrument when immersed in an electrically-conductive fluid, the electrosurgical instrument having an electrode assembly at the distal end thereof, the electrode assembly comprising a tissue treatment electrode, and a return electrode axially spaced therefrom in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode, wherein the fluid enclosure is adapted to surround an operation site on the skin of a patient or an incision leading to a cavity surgically created within the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the fluid enclosure includes sealing means for sealing against the patient'"'"'s tissue, and wherein the fluid enclosure includes at least one port through which the electrosurgical instrument is insertable, and through which the electrically-conductive fluid can enter and/or leave the enclosure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical system comprises a radio frequency generator (1), an electrosurgical instrument (E1), and a fluid enclosure (42). The generator (1) has a radio frequency output for delivery of power to the electrosurgical instrument (E1) when immersed in an electrically-conductive fluid. The electrosurgical instrument (E1) has an electrode assembly (32) at the distal end thereof, the electrode assembly comprising a tissue treatment electrode (34), and a return electrode (38) axially spaced therefrom in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode. The fluid enclosure (42) is adapted to surround an operation site on the skin of a patient or an incision leading to a cavity surgically created within the patient'"'"'s body. The fluid enclosure (42) includes sealing means (44) for sealing against the patient'"'"'s tissue, and the fluid enclosure includes at least one port (50a, 52a) through which the electrosurgical (E1) is insertable, and through which the electrically-conductive fluid can enter and/or leave the enclosure. The fluid enclosure device of the present invention can also be used to treat tumours within the colon. The enclosure, which includes a proximal and a distal bung, is inserted into the colon in a deflated condition and then inflated with a conductive fluid or gas. The colon can be supported against the pressure of the fluid or gas with a pressure sleeve that has been inserted to surround the region of the colon being treated. An electrosurgical instrument is then inserted into the colon and manipulated to vaporize the tumor.
35 Citations
47 Claims
- 1. An electrosurgical system comprising a radio frequency generator, an electrosurgical instrument, and a fluid enclosure, the generator having a radio frequency output for delivery of power to the electrosurgical instrument when immersed in an electrically-conductive fluid, the electrosurgical instrument having an electrode assembly at the distal end thereof, the electrode assembly comprising a tissue treatment electrode, and a return electrode axially spaced therefrom in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode, wherein the fluid enclosure is adapted to surround an operation site on the skin of a patient or an incision leading to a cavity surgically created within the patient'"'"'s body, wherein the fluid enclosure includes sealing means for sealing against the patient'"'"'s tissue, and wherein the fluid enclosure includes at least one port through which the electrosurgical instrument is insertable, and through which the electrically-conductive fluid can enter and/or leave the enclosure.
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14. A fluid enclosure device for use in electrosurgical procedures, the device comprising a translucent flexible web member having a sealing flange at its periphery for forming a substantially fluid-tight seal with a patient'"'"'s skin thereby to enable tissue to be treated within a substantially fluid-tight enclosure provided by the patient'"'"'s skin and the flexible web member, and at least a first aperture in the web member to enable introduction of an electrosurgical instrument into the enclosure while maintaining integrity of the substantially fluid-tight seal.
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18. A method of treating tissue using an electrosurgical system comprising an electrosurgical generator adapted to generate a radio frequency oscillating voltage output across first and second output terminals;
- an electrosurgical instrument having an active tissue treatment electrode connected to the first generator output terminal;
fluid delivery means for delivering electrically-conductive fluid to the tissue to be treated; and
a return electrode connected to the second generator output terminal, the method comprising the steps of;
enclosing, in a substantially fluid-tight manner, a space within which the tissue to be treated is located, and within which at least the active electrode is located;
operating the fluid delivery means at least partly to fill the space with electrically-conductive fluid;
operating the generator to apply a radio frequency voltage between the active and return electrodes, and completing at least a part of a conduction path between the active and return electrodes using the electrically-conductive fluid; and
manipulating the active electrode in the vicinity of the tissue to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30)
- an electrosurgical instrument having an active tissue treatment electrode connected to the first generator output terminal;
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31. A method of treating a tumour in a colon using an electrosurgical system comprising:
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an electrosurgical generator adapted to generate a radio frequency oscillating voltage output across first and second output terminals;
an electrosurgical instrument having an active tissue treatment electrode connected to the first generator output terminal;
fluid delivery means for delivering electrically-conductive fluid to the tumour to be treated; and
a return electrode connected to the second generator output terminal, the method comprising the steps of;
enclosing, in a substantially fluid-tight manner, a space in the colon within which the tumour to be treated is located, and within which at least the active electrode is located;
operating the fluid delivery means at least partly to fill the space with electrically-conductive fluid;
operating the generator to apply a radio frequency voltage between the active and return electrodes, and completing at least a part of a conduction path between the active and return electrodes using the electrically-conductive fluid; and
manipulating the active electrode in the vicinity of the tumour to be treated. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification