Electrosurgical method and apparatus for initiating an electrical discharge in an inert gas flow
First Claim
1. Apparatus for establishing an electrical discharge to an object comprisinga support;
- a source of electrical energy;
an active electrode connected to said source of electrical energy and being supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom;
a source of inert gas;
gas flow directing means connected to said source of inert gas for directing the gas past said electrode to thereby facilitate the establishment of a primary electrical discharge in the gas disposed adjacent the end of the electrode and extending outwardly therefrom;
discharge initiating means disposed adjacent to said electrode for initiating said electrical discharge in said gas formed adjacent the end of the electrode, said discharge initiating means including said active electrode and a second electrode having a small gap therebetween, across which an auxiliary discharge initiates said primary electrical discharge;
said second electrode being electrically isolated from any source of biasing potential and being so disposed in the gas flow established by said gas flow directing means that said gas generates electrostatic charge on said second electrode, which is discharged through said gas to said active electrode to thereby establish said auxiliary electrical discharge; and
means for returning said electrical energy from said object to said source of electrical energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for initiating an electrical discharge in a formation of flowing inert gas disposed adjacent the end of an active electrode by generating charged particles in the vicinity of said inert gas formation. The charged particles are generated by an auxiliary electrical discharge produced between the active electrode and a surrounding tube, which is not connected to any external source of biasing potential. Electrostatic charge is generated on the tube as the inert gas flows thereby. This charge bleeds off the tube through inwardly pointed tips on the tube, which act as discharge points. The charge then passes to the active electrode via the auxiliary discharge through the gas.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. Apparatus for establishing an electrical discharge to an object comprising
a support; -
a source of electrical energy; an active electrode connected to said source of electrical energy and being supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom; a source of inert gas; gas flow directing means connected to said source of inert gas for directing the gas past said electrode to thereby facilitate the establishment of a primary electrical discharge in the gas disposed adjacent the end of the electrode and extending outwardly therefrom; discharge initiating means disposed adjacent to said electrode for initiating said electrical discharge in said gas formed adjacent the end of the electrode, said discharge initiating means including said active electrode and a second electrode having a small gap therebetween, across which an auxiliary discharge initiates said primary electrical discharge; said second electrode being electrically isolated from any source of biasing potential and being so disposed in the gas flow established by said gas flow directing means that said gas generates electrostatic charge on said second electrode, which is discharged through said gas to said active electrode to thereby establish said auxiliary electrical discharge; and means for returning said electrical energy from said object to said source of electrical energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An instrument comprising
a support; -
an active electrode supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom; gas flow directing means adapted for the directing of gas past said electrode to provide gas adjacent the end of the electrode and extending outwardly therefrom; and discharge initiating means disposed adjacent to said electrode adapted for the initiation of a primary electrical discharge in said gas formed adjacent the end of the electrode, said discharge initiating means including said active electrode and a second electrode having a small gap therebetween, across which an auxiliary discharge initiates said primary electrical discharge; said second elctrode being electrically isolated from any source of biasing potential and being so disposed in the gas flow established by said gas flow directing means that said gas generates electrostatic charge on said second electrode, which is discharged through said gas to said active electrode to thereby establish said auxiliary electrical discharge. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of using an instrument comprising a support;
- an active electrode supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom;
gas flow directing means adapted for the directing of gas past said electrode to provide gas adjacent the end of the electrode and extending outwardly therefrom;
discharge initiating means disposed adjacent to said electrode adapted for the initiation of a primary electrical discharge in said gas formed adjacent the end of the electrode, said discharge initiating means including said active electrode and a second electrode having a small gap therebetween, across which an auxiliary discharge initiates said electrical discharge in said gas formed adjacent the end of the active electrode;
said second electrode being electrically isolated from any source of biasing potential and being so disposed in the gas flow established by said gas flow directing means that said gas flow generates electrostatic charge on said second electrode, which is discharged through said gas to said active electrode to thereby establish said auxiliary electrical discharge;
said method comprising the steps ofdirecting inert gas past said active electrode and outwardly therefrom; applying electrical energy to said active electrode; and generating said auxiliary electrical discharge so that said auxiliary electrical discharge will initiate said primary electrical discharge from said active electrode; and positioning said active electrode adjacent a body whereby said primary electrical discharge can be initiated without having to bring said active electrode into substantial contact with said body. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
- an active electrode supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom;
Specification