Methods and devices for electrosurgery
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of performing an electrosurgical procedure on a patient, the method comprising:
- providing a surgical probe including an active electrode and a return electrode separated by an insulator, the insulator optionally an electrical and thermal insulator;
providing an aqueous salt ion environment at the location wherein the electrosurgical procedure is to be performed, the environment comprising sufficient volume to permit immersion of at least the portion of the surgical probe including the active electrode and return electrode; and
applying current to a circuit comprising the active electrode and return electrode, the current being less than that required to induce plasma ionization, the current optionally a high frequency voltage difference, including radiofrequency (RF) energy;
whereby the application of current induces electrolysis of a portion of the aqueous salt ion environment thereby producing hydrogen and oxygen, and optionally further initiating a hydrogen and oxygen combustion reaction.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and devices for electrosurgery by means of oxy-hydro combustion. Deleterious effects to tissue are minimized by means of control of acid-base shift reactions, which reactions can further be employed to control oxy-hydro combustion reactions. In one embodiment, radiofrequency energy in electrical connection with electrodes is employed to induce electrolysis in an aqueous salt environment, thereby producing oxygen and hydrogen, with the same energy source employed to initiate a combustion reaction.
-
Citations
36 Claims
-
1. A method of performing an electrosurgical procedure on a patient, the method comprising:
-
providing a surgical probe including an active electrode and a return electrode separated by an insulator, the insulator optionally an electrical and thermal insulator;
providing an aqueous salt ion environment at the location wherein the electrosurgical procedure is to be performed, the environment comprising sufficient volume to permit immersion of at least the portion of the surgical probe including the active electrode and return electrode; and
applying current to a circuit comprising the active electrode and return electrode, the current being less than that required to induce plasma ionization, the current optionally a high frequency voltage difference, including radiofrequency (RF) energy;
whereby the application of current induces electrolysis of a portion of the aqueous salt ion environment thereby producing hydrogen and oxygen, and optionally further initiating a hydrogen and oxygen combustion reaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A method for inducing a therapeutic response in living tissue while minimizing deleterious acid-base shifts in the living tissue, the method comprising:
-
providing a probe including an active electrode and a return electrode separated by an insulator, the active electrode being disposed within an elongated lumen;
providing an aqueous salt ion solution at the site wherein the therapeutic response is desired, the solution comprising sufficient volume to permit immersion of at least the portion of the probe including the active electrode disposed within the elongated lumen and the return electrode, positioning the active electrode in close proximity to the location wherein the therapeutic response is desired, the active electrode and return electrode being immersed in the aqueous salt ion solution; and
applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and return electrode, the voltage being less than that required to induce plasma ionization. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
- 17. A method for decreasing tissue necrosis at a site wherein high frequency voltage is applied to an active electrode immersed in an aqueous salt ion solution, the method comprising means for minimizing the acid-base shift at the site.
-
22. An apparatus for performing surgical procedures, the apparatus comprising:
-
first and second gas delivery channels disposed within an elongated housing having a proximal and distal end;
first and second gas connectors at the proximal end for connecting the first and second gas delivery channels to a first and second gas source;
a gas mixing plenum chamber with an inlet and an outlet at the distal end of the elongated housing, the first and second gas delivery channels being in fluid connection with the inlet; and
an active electrode connected to a current source, the active electrode proximal to the gas mixing plenum chamber outlet. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
-
-
29. An electrosurgical apparatus comprising:
-
a housing having proximal and distal ends;
an active electrode disposed adjacent the distal end of the housing, the electrode comprising an alloy that induces release of hydrogen; and
an electrical connector extending from the active electrode to the proximal end of the housing for connecting the electrode to a source of current. - View Dependent Claims (30)
-
-
31. An electrosurgical apparatus comprising:
-
an elongated lumen having proximal and distal ends;
an active electrode adjustably positionable within and along the long axis of the lumen; and
an electrical connector extending from the active electrode connecting the electrode to a source of current. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35)
-
-
36. An apparatus for electrosurgery, comprising
an active electrode; -
a return electrode fixed in position relative to the active electrode; and
a radiofrequency power supply in electrical connection with the active electrode and return electrode, the power supply generating less radiofrequency power than that required to induce plasma ionization;
whereby on immersion of the active electrode and return electrode in an aqueous salt ion environment, the application of radiofrequency power induces electrolysis of a portion of the aqueous salt ion environment thereby producing hydrogen and oxygen and further initiates a hydrogen and oxygen combustion reaction.
-
Specification