System and methods for electrosurgical tissue treatment in the presence of electrically conductive fluid
First Claim
1. A method for applying electrical energy to tissue comprising:
- positioning an active electrode adjacent to or in contact with tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid;
applying a sufficient high frequency voltage difference between the electrode terminal and a return electrode to generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode; and
effecting ablation of at least a portion of the tissue.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for applying a high frequency voltage in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid to create a relatively low-temperature plasma for ablation of tissue adjacent to, or in contact with, the plasma. In one embodiment, an electrosurgical probe or catheter is positioned adjacent the target site so that one or more active electrode(s) are brought into contact with, or close proximity to, a target tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid. High frequency voltage is then applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode(s), and to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the target tissue. The high frequency voltage generates electric fields around the active electrode(s) with sufficient energy to ionize the conductive fluid adjacent to the active electrode(s). Within the ionized gas or plasma, free electrons are accelerated, and electron-atoms collisions liberate more electrons, and the process cascades until the plasma contains sufficient energy to break apart the tissue molecules, causing molecular dissociation and ablation of the target tissue.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for applying electrical energy to tissue comprising:
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positioning an active electrode adjacent to or in contact with tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid; applying a sufficient high frequency voltage difference between the electrode terminal and a return electrode to generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode; and effecting ablation of at least a portion of the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for applying electrical energy to tissue comprising:
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positioning an active electrode adjacent to or in contact with tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid; applying a sufficient high frequency voltage difference between the electrode terminal and a return electrode to vaporize a portion of the electrically conductive fluid such that the vaporized fluid has a temperature below 100°
C.; andeffecting ablation of at least a portion of the tissue in contact with the vaporized fluid . - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for applying electrical energy to tissue comprising:
- positioning an active electrode adjacent to or in contact with tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid comprising at least about 1.0% sodium chloride;
applying a sufficient high frequency voltage difference between the electrode terminal and a return electrode to vaporize a portion of the electrically conductive fluid; and effecting ablation of at least a portion of the tissue in contact with the vaporized fluid. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
- positioning an active electrode adjacent to or in contact with tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid comprising at least about 1.0% sodium chloride;
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20. A method for applying electrical energy to tissue comprising:
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positioning an active electrode adjacent to or in contact with tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid comprising between about 0.1% to 0.85% sodium chloride; applying a sufficient high frequency voltage difference between the electrode terminal and a return electrode to vaporize a portion of the electrically conductive fluid; and effecting ablation of at least a portion of the tissue in contact with the vaporized fluid.
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21. A method for applying electrical energy to tissue comprising:
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positioning an active electrode near tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid; applying a sufficient high frequency voltage difference between the electrode terminal and a return electrode to generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode; and effecting ablation of at least a portion of the tissue, while maintaining the active electrode at least 1.0 mm away from the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification