System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation
DCFirst Claim
1. An electrosurgical system for use with a high frequency power supply and an electrically conducting fluid supply, the system comprising:
- an electrosurgical probe comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrode terminal disposed near the distal end, and a connector near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to the electrosurgical power supply;
a return electrode adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrosurgical power supply; and
a fluid delivery element defining a fluid path in electrical contact with the return electrode and the electrode terminal, the fluid path having an inlet adapted to be fluidly coupled to the electrically conducting fluid supply for directing fluid along the fluid path to generate a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode terminal.
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Abstract
An electrosurgical probe (10) comprises a shaft (13) having an electrode array (12) 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 (55, 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 target site and the return electrode 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 return electrode and the target site.
766 Citations
64 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical system for use with a high frequency power supply and an electrically conducting fluid supply, the system comprising:
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an electrosurgical probe comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrode terminal disposed near the distal end, and a connector near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to the electrosurgical power supply; a return electrode adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrosurgical power supply; and a fluid delivery element defining a fluid path in electrical contact with the return electrode and the electrode terminal, the fluid path having an inlet adapted to be fluidly coupled to the electrically conducting fluid supply for directing fluid along the fluid path to generate a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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36. The electrosurgical system of 1 wherein the distal surface of the electrode terminal is circular in shape with a diameter in the range from 1 mm to 10 mm.
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45. An electrosurgical system for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:
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a high frequency power supply; an electrosurgical probe comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrode terminal disposed near the distal end, and a connector near the proximal end of the shaft electrically coupling the electrode terminal to the electrosurgical power supply; a return electrode electrically coupled to the electrosurgical power supply; and an electrically conducting fluid supply for directing electrically conducting fluid to the target site such that the electrically conducting fluid generates a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode terminal. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62)
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63. An electrosurgical system for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient'"'"'s body, the system comprising:
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a high frequency power supply; an electrosurgical probe comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, an electrode terminal disposed near the distal end, and a connector near the proximal end of the shaft electrically coupling the electrode terminal to the electrosurgical power supply; a return electrode electrically coupled to the electrosurgical power supply; an electrically conducting fluid supply; a fluid delivery element defining a fluid path electrically coupled to the electrode terminal for directing electrically conducting fluid to the target site and the electrode terminal to substantially surround the electrode terminal with electrically conducting fluid and to locate electrically conducting fluid between the electrode terminal and the target site. - View Dependent Claims (64)
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Specification