Devices for electrosurgery

• US 20050228369A1
• Filed: 06/07/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nuortho Surgical Inc.
• Original Assignee: Map Technologies LLC (MIN AIK Technology Company Limited)
• Inventors: Morgan, Roy E., Auge, Wayne K. II, Prakash, N. Mani
• Granted Patent: US 7,354,438 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/06 caused by chemical reaction , e.g. moxaburners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1213 creating an arc

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flame arrester positioned between the gas mixing plenum chamber outlet and the active electrode.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gas mixing plenum chamber outlet further comprises an acceleration throat.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the active electrode comprises an alloy that induces release of hydrogen.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the alloy is a member selected from the group consisting of a magnesium alloy and a rare earth metal and nickel alloy.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the active electrode comprises a gas porous structure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a return electrode.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the return electrode is in a fixed position proximal the active electrode.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the active electrode and the return electrode have unequal current densities.

10. 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.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the alloy is a member selected from the group consisting of a magnesium alloy and a rare earth metal and nickel alloy.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the alloy induces release of hydrogen upon the application of current.

13. 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.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, the apparatus further comprising a return electrode fixed in position relative to the active electrode.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the elongated lumen comprises an insulating material.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the insulating material is an electrically insulating material.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the insulating material is thermally insulating material.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the active electrode is movably adjustable within and along the long axis of the lumen during operation of the apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the active electrode is adjustably positionable beyond the distal end of the lumen

20. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the distal end of the lumen comprises a segment of a cone.

21. 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.