Electrosurgical device having planar vertical electrode and related methods

• US 20050288665A1
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Woloszko, Jean
• Granted Patent: US 7,892,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00583 Coblation, i.e. ablation using a cold plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1213 creating an arc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration

Abstract

Electrosurgical methods and apparatus for the controlled ablation of tissue from a target site of a patient. The instrument includes a shaft having proximal and distal end portion and a planar active electrode on the distal end portion; a return electrode arranged on the shaft spaced from the active electrode; at least one electrical connector extending through the shaft that connects the active electrode with a high frequency power supply; and an aspiration lumen within the shaft having a distal opening. The active electrode is arranged vertically or perpendicular to the tissue treatment surface. The planar electrode may include one or more apertures.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical instrument for removing tissue from a target site comprising:

a shaft having a proximal end and distal end portion;

an electrode support arranged at said distal end portion, said electrode support having a tissue treatment surface;

a planar active electrode attached to said electrode support wherein said planar active electrode is substantially perpendicular to said tissue treatment surface;

an electrical connector extending through the shaft that connects the active electrode with a high frequency power supply; and

an aspiration lumen within the shaft having a distal opening at said distal end portion wherein the active electrode inhibits clogging of the aspiration lumen.

2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the active electrode comprises at least one aperture.

3. The instrument of claim 2 wherein the active electrode comprises a body portion and a leg portion, the leg portion being proximal to said distal portion and said leg portion extending into said electrode support, said aperture being in said body portion.

4. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said support member comprises an inorganic material.

5. The instrument of claim 4 wherein the support member has an axial opening in communication with the aspiration lumen.

6. The instrument of claim 1 comprising a return electrode arranged on said distal portion of said shaft.

8. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a fluid delivery lumen.

9. The instrument of claim 1 comprising a plurality of active electrodes.

10. The instrument of claim 9 wherein each of said plurality of active electrodes is parallel.

11. The instrument of claim 2 wherein each said active electrode comprises a plurality of apertures.

12. The instrument of claim 8 wherein said fluid delivery lumen is an annular space formed between an outer and inner tube.

13. The instrument of claim 11 wherein said apertures comprise corners.

14. The instrument of claim 13 wherein said apertures are triangular.

15. The instrument of claim 3 wherein a portion of said body portion extends into said aspiration lumen.

24. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said active electrode comprises a serrated edge.

7. (canceled)

16. A method of removing target tissue comprising:

inserting an apparatus in the vicinity of said target tissue, said apparatus comprising a distal end and at least one planar active electrode arranged on said distal end, the planar electrode being perpendicular to the target tissue; and

applying a voltage to said active electrode and a return electrode to remove said target tissue.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said target tissue is within the oral cavity.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said tissue is selected from the group consisting of tonsils, adenoids, tongue, and turbinates.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said apparatus further includes an aspiration lumen connected with a vacuum source to aspirate material through said aspiration lumen.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said active electrode includes a plurality of active electrodes.

21. The method of claim 16 wherein said active electrode includes at least one aperture.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein said active electrodes are parallel.

23. The method of claim 16 further comprising delivering an electrically conductive fluid to said target tissue.