Ablation apparatus and system to limit nerve conduction
First Claim
1. ) A System for Minimally Invasive Surgery comprising:
- a. an electrically isolated RF Energy Generator, that delivers up to 500 watts of RF energy in amplitude or frequency modulated form with a frequency between 50 Khz and 2.5 Mhz;
b. a single-needle bi- or multi-polar probe that requires but a single puncture entranceway and has electrodes in close proximity to the extent necessary to promote precision within the procedure itself; and
c. a secondary means to locate and position said single-needle probe by illumination, the creation of electrical signal or signals, or by use of florescent dye.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical system and the associated methods for use in Minimally Invasive Surgical procedures for use in the short- and long-term termination of signals through nerves. Such a procedure is an improvement over the current state-of-the-art because of the use of a tightly coupled single-needle bi-polar probe. The proximity of both electrodes, to the nerve or tissue targeted for the treatment, is such that it reduces the losses experienced with external electrodes (e.g. plates or probes). Further, the probe has features associated with locating the probe and dispensing or sampling far above the probes currently available. The resulting improvements provide a quantum leap in technology for the associated medical industries and a base line for these procedures in the future.
454 Citations
14 Claims
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1. ) A System for Minimally Invasive Surgery comprising:
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a. an electrically isolated RF Energy Generator, that delivers up to 500 watts of RF energy in amplitude or frequency modulated form with a frequency between 50 Khz and 2.5 Mhz;
b. a single-needle bi- or multi-polar probe that requires but a single puncture entranceway and has electrodes in close proximity to the extent necessary to promote precision within the procedure itself; and
c. a secondary means to locate and position said single-needle probe by illumination, the creation of electrical signal or signals, or by use of florescent dye. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. ) A single needle two electrode probe used in a bi- or multi-polar configuration for Minimally Invasive Surgery comprising:
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a. an inner diameter electrode made of surgical grade metal of a size and shape dictated by the application requirement;
b. a voltage insulator that covers and creates an electrical isolation between the two exposed electrodes; and
c. an Outer-sleeve return-electrode made of a surgical grade metal with surface area greater than that necessary to eliminate burning of the tissue in contact;
- View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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4. ) A single needle multiple electrode probe used in a multi-polar configuration for Minimally Invasive Surgery comprising:
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a. an inner diameter electrode made of surgical grade metal of a size and shape dictated by the application requirement;
b. a voltage insulator that covers and creates an electrical isolation between the two exposed electrodes; and
c. an Outer-sleeve return-electrode made of a surgical grade metal with surface area greater than that necessary to eliminate burning of the tissue in contact;
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8. ) A method for ablating tissues or terminating the flow of nerve impulses utilizing a single puncture probe introduced via a Minimally Invasive surgical techniques comprising:
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a. locating probe tip in close proximity to said nerve or target tissue with a needle type probe having an exposed active area or areas on or near the distal tip, said probe and system to generate RF energy so as to ablate, destroy tissue or render nerve conduction through said nerves impossible on either semi permanent or permanent basis;
b. placing said probe tip in position so that ablative energy may be selectively delivered to target tissue thus avoiding destruction or areas and tissues that must remain intact and not be destroyed or traumatized; and
c. delivering RF energy from a tuned RF source so as to destroy target tissues in close proximity to electrode(s) at tip.
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Specification