System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising:
- providing an electrode terminal and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source;
positioning the active electrode in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting terminal; and
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 to induce the discharge of energy to the target site in contact with the vapor layer.
3 Assignments
Litigations
0 Petitions
Reexamination
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.
-
Citations
56 Claims
-
1. A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising:
-
providing an electrode terminal and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the active electrode in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting terminal; and 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 to induce the discharge of energy to the target site in contact with the vapor layer. - 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, 37, 38, 39, 40, 45, 46, 47, 52, 53, 54, 55)
-
-
26. A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising:
-
providing an active electrode and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being in the range from 500 to 1400 volts peak to peak. - View Dependent Claims (27, 48, 49, 50, 51, 56)
-
-
28. A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising:
-
providing an electrode terminal and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to impart sufficient energy into the target site to ablate the body structure without causing substantial tissue necrosis below the surface of the body structure underlying the ablated body structure. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 41, 42, 43, 44)
-
-
32. A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising:
-
providing an active electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and generating a voltage gradient between the electrode terminal and tissue at the target site, the voltage gradient being sufficient to create an electric field that cause the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
-
Specification