Tissue coagulation method and device using inert gas

• US 20070213709A1
• Filed: 03/08/2006
• Published: 09/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Podhajsky, Ronald
• Granted Patent: US 7,648,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00029 open
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1213 creating an arc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/122 ionizing, with corona

Abstract

A gas-enhanced electrosurgical method and apparatus for coagulating tissue. The apparatus includes a first tube with a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first tube is configured to receive pressurized ionizable gas. The distal end of the first tube is configured to deliver ionized gas towards a treatment area. The apparatus also includes at least one electrode positioned to selectively ionize the pressurized ionizable gas before the pressurized ionizable gas exits the distal end of the first tube. The electrode is adapted to operatively couple to an electrical energy source. The apparatus also includes a second tube with proximal and distal ends. The second tube is configured to selectively evacuate the ionized gas and dislodged tissue material from the treatment area.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:

a first tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being configured to receive pressurized ionizable gas and the distal end being configured to deliver ionized gas towards a treatment area;

at least one electrode positioned to selectively ionize the pressurized ionizable gas prior to the pressurized ionizable gas exiting the distal end of the first tube, the electrode adapted to be operatively coupled to an electrical energy source; and

a second tube having proximal and distal ends, the second tube being configured to selectively evacuate the ionized gas and dislodged tissue material from the treatment area.

2. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first tube is concentrically disposed within the second tube.

3. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the first tube extends distally relative to the distal end of the second tube.

4. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrode is activated with a first electrical potential and the electrical energy source includes a remote patient pad that is energized to a second electrical potential.

5. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrosurgical apparatus is configured for use in a bipolar mode wherein the first tube is activated with a first electrical potential and the second tube is activated with a second electrical potential.

6. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a regulator which regulates the flow of pressurized argon through the first tube, the regulator being disposed between a gas supply of the pressurized argon and the proximal end of the first tube.

7. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a fluid agitator, the fluid agitator being configured to impart non-laminar flow characteristics to the pressurized ionizable gas.

8. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the fluid agitator is disposed within the first tube.

9. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the pressurized ionizable gas is used to cool tissue.

10. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:

a first tube being configured to receive pressurized ionizable gas from a gas supply and to deliver ionized gas towards a treatment area;

at least one electrode activated with a first electrical potential positioned to selectively ionize the pressurized ionizable gas prior to the pressurized ionizable gas exiting the first tube, the electrode adapted to be operatively coupled to an electrical energy source that includes a remote patient pad and is energized to a second electrical potential;

a second tube being configured to selectively evacuate the ionized gas and dislodged tissue material from the treatment area; and

wherein the electrosurgical apparatus is configured for use in a bipolar mode.

11. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising an electrode control mechanism that controls the current intensity to the electrode.

12. A method for coagulating tissue, the method including the steps of:

providing an electrosurgical apparatus, the electrosurgical apparatus including a first tube configured to receive pressurized ionizable gas and to deliver ionized gas towards a treatment area, at least one electrode positioned to selectively ionize pressurized ionizable gas prior to the pressurized ionizable gas exiting the first tube, and a second tube being configured to selectively evacuate the ionized gas and dislodged tissue material from the treatment area;

inserting the electrosurgical apparatus into tissue;

delivering ionizable gas to the first tube;

ionizing pressurized ionizable gas;

delivering pressurized ionized gas through the first tube towards the treatment area; and

removing pressurized ionized gas from the treatment area via the second tube.

13. The method of coagulating tissue according to claim 12, further including the step of inserting an introducer into tissue, the inserting an introducer step being after the providing step and before the step of inserting the electrosurgical apparatus.