SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTROSURGICAL CUTTING AND ABLATION
First Claim
1. A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising:
- positioning an electrode terminal and a return electrode in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the electrode terminal and the return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source;
applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to vaporize the fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the electrode terminal; and
inducing the discharge of energy to the target site in contact with the vapor layer after said step of applying a high frequency voltage,wherein said applying step is carried out by applying pulses of energy.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical probe (10) comprises a shaft (13) having an electrode array (58) at its distal end and a connector (19) at its proximal end for coupling the electrode array to a high frequency power supply (28). The shaft includes a return electrode (56) recessed from its distal end and enclosed within an insulating jacket (18). The return electrode defines an inner passage (83) electrically connected to both the return electrode and the electrode array for passage of an electrically conducting liquid (50). By applying high frequency voltage to the electrode array and the return electrode, the electrically conducting liquid generates a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode array so that target tissue may be cut or ablated. The probe is particularly useful in dry environments, such as the mouth or abdominal cavity, because the electrically conducting liquid provides the necessary return current path between the active and return electrodes.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising:
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positioning an electrode terminal and a return electrode in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the electrode terminal and the return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to vaporize the fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the electrode terminal; and inducing the discharge of energy to the target site in contact with the vapor layer after said step of applying a high frequency voltage, wherein said applying step is carried out by applying pulses of energy. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for applying energy to a soft tissue at a target site of a patient comprising:
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positioning a probe in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the probe having a distal end section, said distal end section comprising at least one electrode terminal and a common electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage supply; applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the common electrode such that a current path is present through the electrically conductive fluid, and such that tissue is ablated in the vicinity of the electrode terminal; and wherein said distal section is adapted to minimize direct contact between the common electrode and the target site and wherein said applying step is carried out by applying pulses of energy to said soft tissue. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for applying energy to soft tissue at a target site of a patient comprising:
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positioning an electrode terminal and a return electrode in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the electrode terminal and the return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode from the voltage source, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to vaporize the fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the electrode terminal; and inducing the discharge of energy to the target site in contact with the vapor layer after said step of applying a high frequency voltage and wherein said applying step is carried out by turning on and off said voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification