Electrosurgical treatment of tissue in electrically conductive fluid
First Claim
1. A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
- positioning an electrode terminal into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid;
positioning a return electrode within the electrically conducting fluid to generate a current flow path between the electrode terminal and the return electrode; and
applying high frequency voltage to the electrode terminal and the return electrode such that an electrical current flows from the electrode terminal, through the target site, and to the return electrode through the current flow path.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for applying electrical energy to a tissue structure within a patient'"'"'s body. The method includes positioning an electrosurgical probe adjacent to the tissue structure so that an electrode array including a plurality of isolated electrode terminals is brought into at least partial contact with the body structure. A high frequency voltage is then applied between each electrode terminal within the electrode array and a common, return electrode. Current flow from the electrode terminals is selectively limited to minimize low electrical impedance paths emanating from the electrode array. The present invention takes advantage of the differences in electrical properties between a target tissue and the surrounding conductive liquid (e.g. isotonic saline irrigant) in the region immediately adjacent to the electrode array to ablate the target tissue while minimizing overheating of the surrounding liquid.
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Citations
64 Claims
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1. A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
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positioning an electrode terminal into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; positioning a return electrode within the electrically conducting fluid to generate a current flow path between the electrode terminal and the return electrode; and applying high frequency voltage to the electrode terminal and the return electrode such that an electrical current flows from the electrode terminal, through the target site, and to the return electrode through the current flow path. - 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, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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31. The method of 1 further comprising an electrical connector for coupling the electrode terminal to a high frequency voltage supply and a current limiting element located distal to the connector.
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44. A method for removing a tissue structure within a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
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introducing an electrically conductive fluid into the patient'"'"'s body to immerse the tissue structure within the electrically conductive fluid; positioning an electrode terminal and return electrode into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of the electrically conducting fluid; and applying high frequency voltage to the electrode terminal and the return electrode such that an electrical current flows from the electrode terminal, through the target site, and to the return electrode through the electrically conductive fluid. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification