Electrosurgical working end for controlled energy delivery
First Claim
16. A method for controlled application of energy to a targeted tissue, comprising the steps of:
- providing a probe with a working end having a surface engagement portion, a variably resistive portion, and at least one conductive portion coupled to a voltage source;
positioning said surface engagement portion in contact with the targeted tissue; and
delivering Rf energy to said at least one conductive portion wherein energy application to said tissue is modulated by changes in resistance of said variably resistive portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical working end for instant and automatic modulation of active Rf density in a targeted tissue volume. The working end of the probe of the present invention defines a tissue-engagement plane that is adapted to contact the targeted tissue. The cross-section energy delivery apparatus comprises (i) a conductive surface engagement plane for tissue contact, (ii) a substrate comprising a medial conductive matrix of a temperature sensitive resistive material; and (iii) an inner or core conductive material (electrode) that is coupled to an Rf source and controller. Of particular interest, the medial conductive matrix comprises a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) that exhibits very large increases in resistivity as it increases beyond a selected temperature, which is described as a switching range. The PTC material is selected and fabricated to define a switching range that approximates a particular thermally-mediated therapy. In a method of use, it can be understood that the engagement plane will apply active Rf energy to the engaged the tissue temperature elevates the medial PTC conductive layer to its switching range. Thereafter, Rf current flow from the core conductive to the engagement surface will be instantly modulated to maintain tissue temperature at the switching range. Moreover, the conductive matrix effectively functions as a resistive electrode to thereafter passively conduct thermal energy to the engaged tissue above its switching range. Thus, the working end can modulate the energy application to tissue between active Rf heating and passive conductive heating of the targeted tissue to maintain a targeted temperature level.
153 Citations
46 Claims
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16. A method for controlled application of energy to a targeted tissue, comprising the steps of:
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providing a probe with a working end having a surface engagement portion, a variably resistive portion, and at least one conductive portion coupled to a voltage source;
positioning said surface engagement portion in contact with the targeted tissue; and
delivering Rf energy to said at least one conductive portion wherein energy application to said tissue is modulated by changes in resistance of said variably resistive portion. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A surgical probe for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:
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an elongated probe having a working end that defines an engagement plane for contacting tissue;
a layer portion inward of said engagement plane comprising a material having a thermally sensitive resistance to electrical current flow therethrough;
at least one electrode carried in said working end operatively connected to a voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A surgical probe for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:
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an elongated probe body having a working end that defines an engagement plane for contacting tissue;
an outer body portion extending inward of said engagement plane that comprises a material having a resistance to electrical flow therethrough that varies substantially with pressure applied thereto; and
a conductive portion carried at an interior of the probe that is operatively connected to a voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A surgical probe for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:
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a probe body having a working end that defines an engagement plane for contacting tissue;
a first body portion inward of said engagement plane comprising a material having a resistance that substantially varies with temperature;
a second body portion comprising material that has a selected substantial resistive; and
at least one conductive body portion operatively connected to a voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. A surgical probe for delivering energy to tissue, comprising:
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an elongated probe having a working end that defines an engagement plane for contacting tissue;
a body portion inward of said engagement plane comprising a material that is variably resistive to electrical current flow therethrough;
means for varying the resistance of said body portion; and
at least one electrode carried in said working end operatively connected to a voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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Specification