Electrosurgical device with floating-potential electrodes
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical probe comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one active electrode located at or near said distal end;
a conductor connected to said at least one active electrode;
at least one conductive member disposed at said distal end; and
a dielectric member disposed between the active electrode and the conductive member, wherein-said conductive member has a distal portion and a proximal portion with the distal portion being positioned in close proximity to an end of the at least one active electrode;
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical instrument, system and methods are provided for the vaporization, cutting, coagulation, or treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid medium. The electrosurgical probe comprises at least one active electrode, and at least one “floating” electrode having at least one end in close proximity to at least one active electrode. The floating electrode is not connected in any way to the electrosurgical power supply, but rather has a “floating” potential determined by the shape and position of the electrode. The floating electrode increases current density in the region of the probe distal end.
95 Citations
110 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical probe comprising:
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a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one active electrode located at or near said distal end;
a conductor connected to said at least one active electrode;
at least one conductive member disposed at said distal end; and
a dielectric member disposed between the active electrode and the conductive member, wherein-said conductive member has a distal portion and a proximal portion with the distal portion being positioned in close proximity to an end of the at least one active electrode;
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 33, 34)
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19. A method for intensifying the electric field in the vicinity of the distal end of an electrosurgical probe comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrosurgical probe including, a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one active electrode located at or near said distal end;
a conductor connected to said at least one active electrode;
at least one conductive member disposed at said distal end; and
a dielectric member disposed between the at least one active electrode and the at least one conductive member, wherein at least one conductive member has a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal portion being positioned in close proximity to an end of the at least one active electrode;
submerging in a conductive liquid; and
applying a high-frequency voltage between the at least one active electrode and a return electrode, wherein conduction of electric current between the distal portion of the at least one conductive member and the proximal portion of the at least one conductive member creates a region of high current density between the at least one active electrode and the distal portion of the at least one conductive member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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40. A method for ablating tissue at a site on a patient comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrosurgical probe including, a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one active electrode located at or near said distal end;
a conductor connected to said at least one active electrode;
at least one conductive member disposed at said distal end; and
a dielectric member disposed between the at least one active electrode and the at least one conductive member, wherein at least one conductive member has a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal portion being positioned in close proximity to an end of the at least one active electrode;
positioning a distal end of said probe in close proximity to tissue to be ablated;
submerging the distal end of said probe in a conductive liquid; and
applying high frequency voltage between said at least one active electrode and a return electrode to vaporize a portion of the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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61. A method for thermally treating tissue at a site on a patient comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrosurgical probe including, a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one active electrode located at or near said distal end;
a conductor connected to said at least one active electrode;
at least one conductive member disposed at said distal end; and
a dielectric member disposed between the at least one active electrode and the at least one conductive member, wherein at least one conductive member has a distal portion and a proximal portion, said distal portion being positioned in close proximity to an end of the at least one active electrode;
positioning a distal end of said probe in contact with tissue at the site for thermal treatment of tissue; and
applying high frequency voltage between said at least one active electrode and a return electrode to heat a portion of the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81)
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82. An electrosurgical probe comprising:
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at least one active electrode having a proximal and a distal end;
a conductor connected to said at least one active electrode;
at least one conductive member, and at least one dielectric member disposed between said at least one active electrode and said at least one conductive member, wherein the at least one conductive member has a distal portion and a proximal portion, and wherein at least a portion of the at least one conductive member is positioned in close proximity to at least a portion of the distal end of the active electrode;
- View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92)
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93. A system for the electrosurgical ablation or thermal treatment of tissue comprising:
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a probe comprising;
a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
at least one active electrode located at or near said distal end;
a conductor connected to said at least one active electrode;
at least one conductive member disposed at said distal end; and
a dielectric member disposed between the active electrode and the conductive member;
wherein said conductive member has a distal portion and a proximal portion with the distal portion being positioned in close proximity to an end of the at least one active electrode;
an electrosurgical generator;
cabling connecting said probe to said generator; and
a return electrode. - View Dependent Claims (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110)
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Specification