Concave probe for arthroscopic surgery

• US 6,135,999 A
• Filed: 02/12/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oratec Interventions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Oratec Internationals Incorporated
• Inventors: Sharkey, Hugh R., Stewart, Daren L., Fanton, Gary S., Weissman, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US09/022,612
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 606/41, 606/45, 606/46, 606/48-50, 606/38, 606/39
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1626 Control means; Display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1659 Surgical rasps, files, planes, or scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1675 for the knee
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1684 for the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/148 having a short, rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously, e.g. for neurosurgery or arthroscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320008 Scrapers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00434 Neural system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00625 Vaporization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a new arthroscopic probe with a concave distal tip which simultaneously constrains and cuts tissue. It is particularly adapted to cutting ligaments and tendons. Also disclosed is a thermal energy delivery apparatus which includes (a) a probe means with a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end has a concave tip; (b) a first electrode means positioned at the distal end of the probe means, wherein the first electrode means is configured to deliver sufficient thermal energy to cut ligaments or tendons; and (c) a cabling means coupled to the proximal end of the probe means.

In another embodiment of the invention a controller for controlling the delivery of energy and liquid to a surgical instrument with a temperature sensor is disclosed. The energy is supplied by an energy source and the liquid is supplied by a pump. The controller includes a temperature and a flow regulator. The temperature regulator is coupled to the energy source and coupled to the pump. The temperature regulator is responsive to a first temperature indication from the temperature sensor to determine that the first temperature indication exceeds a setpoint and to reduce an energy level from the energy source. The flow regulator is coupled to the pump and coupled to the temperature regulator. The flow regulator includes responsiveness to the first temperature indication to increase a flow of the liquid from the pump.

Claims

1. A method of cutting a ligament or tendon, comprising:

providing an RF probe with a distal tip having a concave curve located between a pair of lateral edges;

moving the RF probe to the ligament or tendon to be cut;

constraining tissue with the concave curve; and

applying RF energy through the concave curve, thereby cutting the ligament or tendon.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the RF probe includes providing the RF probe with:

a proximal end; and

a cabling coupled to a proximal end of the RF probe.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the RF probe includes providing a sharp edge on the concave curve.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the RF probe includes providing a sharp edge on the concave curve.