Electrosurgical apparatus and methods for tissue treatment and removal
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical probe for treating a target tissue at a surgical site, comprising:
- a shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end; and
an electrode assembly disposed on the shaft, wherein the electrode assembly includes an electrically insulating electrode support and at least one active electrode terminal arranged on the electrode support, each of the at least one active electrode terminal having an electrode lumen therethrough, wherein the electrode lumen is adapted for removing unwanted materials from the surgical site.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, apparatus, and methods for ablating, sculpting, severing, shrinking, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a target tissue to be treated. In a method for treating a target tissue, an active electrode terminal of an electrosurgical probe is positioned in at least close proximity to the target tissue. A high frequency voltage is then applied between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to volumetrically remove (ablate), sever, or modify at least a portion of the target tissue. The probe comprises an electrode assembly including an electrode support and at least one active electrode terminal arranged within the electrode support, the electrode support having a suction cavity, and each active electrode terminal having an electrode lumen therein, the electrode lumen in communication with the suction cavity. Unwanted materials may be aspirated from a surgical site via the electrode lumen.
435 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical probe for treating a target tissue at a surgical site, comprising:
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a shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end; and
an electrode assembly disposed on the shaft, wherein the electrode assembly includes an electrically insulating electrode support and at least one active electrode terminal arranged on the electrode support, each of the at least one active electrode terminal having an electrode lumen therethrough, wherein the electrode lumen is adapted for removing unwanted materials from the surgical site. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of treating a target tissue at a surgical site, comprising:
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a) providing an electrosurgical probe having an active electrode assembly and a return electrode, the active electrode assembly comprising at least one active electrode terminal, the at least one active electrode terminal including a body, the body having a wall defining an electrode lumen, and the wall having a suction opening therein;
b) positioning the active electrode assembly in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and
c) applying a high frequency voltage between the at least one active electrode terminal and the return electrode, wherein at least a portion of the target tissue is ablated or modified.
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Specification