Bipolar electrode with fluid channels for less invasive neurosurgery
First Claim
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1. A coagulation instrument for less invasive neurosurgery, comprising:
- a flexible probe defining a distal end and a proximal end, the probe including;
an outer insulative sheath defining a distal end segment;
an outer hollow cylindrical electrode engaged with the distal end segments of the outer sheath and coaxially disposed therewith; and
an outer hollow electrode assembly defining a fluid pathway therethrough, the inner electrode assembly including an inner electrode established by a hypotube defining an outside diameter of less than about twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020"), the inner electrode assembly being dispopsed within the outer electrode and coaxially oriented therewith such that a substantially empyt void is establihed between the inner electrode assembly and the outer electrode.
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Abstract
A flexible bipolar electrode for neurosurgery includes an inner hypotube defining an irrigation passageway and a hollow outer electrode surrounding the hypotube, with the outer electrode and hypotube together establishing a bipolar electrode. An empty void is established between the electrodes to facilitate flexibility of the bipolar electrode when, for example, the electrode is advanced through a curved lumen of a neuroendoscopy instrument.
378 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A coagulation instrument for less invasive neurosurgery, comprising:
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a flexible probe defining a distal end and a proximal end, the probe including; an outer insulative sheath defining a distal end segment; an outer hollow cylindrical electrode engaged with the distal end segments of the outer sheath and coaxially disposed therewith; and an outer hollow electrode assembly defining a fluid pathway therethrough, the inner electrode assembly including an inner electrode established by a hypotube defining an outside diameter of less than about twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020"), the inner electrode assembly being dispopsed within the outer electrode and coaxially oriented therewith such that a substantially empyt void is establihed between the inner electrode assembly and the outer electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In combination with a source of irrigating fluid, a neurosurgery probe, comprising:
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an outer hollow electrode defining a distal end; and an inner hollow electrode assembly defining a distal end and further defining a fluid pathway from the distal end of the inner electrode assembly to the source of irrigating fluid, the inner electrode assembly being coaxially disposed in the outer electrode such that an annular empty void is established between the inner electrode assembly and outer electrode to render the probe flexible, the inner electrode assembly including an inner electrode established by a hypotube defining an outside diameter of less than about twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020"). - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A flexible bipolar electrode for simultaneously fenestrating or coagulating tissue at a neurosurgery site while establishing a pathway between the neurosurgery site and one of:
- a source of irrigating fluid, a source of vacuum, a guidewire, the bipolar electrode comprising;
a source of electricity; a hollow insulated hypotube defining a pathway therethrough, the hypotube being electrically connected to the source of electricity, the hypotube defining an outside diameter of less than about twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020"); and a hollow, at least partially insulated electrode positioned around the hypotube and radially distanced therefrom to establish a void therebetween, the electrode being electrically connected to the source of electricity and the pathway being operably engaged with one of the source of irrigating fluid, the source of vacuum, the guidewire. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
- a source of irrigating fluid, a source of vacuum, a guidewire, the bipolar electrode comprising;
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17. A coagulation and fenestration tool advanceable through a lumen of a flexible neuroendoscope for neurosurgery, comprising:
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an outer cylindrical flexible electrode assembly establishing a first electrode; and an inner flexible tubular electrode assembly disposed within the outer assembly coaxially therewith to thereby establish a pathway for fluid communication therebetween, the inner electrode assembly including; a flexible tubular insulative inner sheath extending substantially the length of the inner flexible tubular electrode assembly; and a metal hypotube disposed within the inner sheath coaxially therewith and extending substantially the length of the inner flexible tubular electrode assembly to establish a second electrode, the hypotube defining an outside diameter of less than about twenty thousandths of an inch (0.020") to thereby render the inner electrode assembly flexible. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification