Rotatable electrode device
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical apparatus for thermal treatment of a tissue mass comprising:
- an elongated housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis;
at least two electrodes supported at the distal end of the elongated housing, the electrodes mounted for rotation to facilitate entry and passage through tissue and each having a distal end forming a substantially pointed tip with a conductive portion on a surface thereof; and
an RF energy source in electrical connection to the electrodes to supply radio frequency energy.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for thermal treatment of a tissue mass having an elongated housing having a proximal and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis, and further including at least two electrodes supported at its distal end and mounted for rotation to facilitate entry and passage through a tissue mass. A drive shaft may be disposed within the elongated housing and operatively engageable with the electrodes for causing their rotational movement. The apparatus may include an electrode gear and a drive shaft gear in cooperative engagement whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes corresponding rotation of the electrodes. Preferably, a motor is operatively connected to the drive shaft causing its rotational movement. Desirably, the distal end of the electrodes are threaded. A method for thermally treating a tissue mass is disclosed.
249 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical apparatus for thermal treatment of a tissue mass comprising:
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an elongated housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis;
at least two electrodes supported at the distal end of the elongated housing, the electrodes mounted for rotation to facilitate entry and passage through tissue and each having a distal end forming a substantially pointed tip with a conductive portion on a surface thereof; and
an RF energy source in electrical connection to the electrodes to supply radio frequency energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11)
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9. An electrosurgical apparatus for thermal treatment of a tissue mass comprising:
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an elongated housing having proximal and distal ends, and defining a longitudinal axis;
at least three electrodes supported at the distal end of the elongated housing, the electrodes mounted for rotation to facilitate entry and passage through tissue; and
an RF energy source in electrical connection to the electrodes to supply radio frequency energy. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrosurgical apparatus for thermal treatment of a tissue mass comprising:
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a rotatable elongated drive shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis;
an actuator for cooperatively engaging the drive shaft, whereby the actuator causes rotation of the drive shaft;
a plurality of electrodes, each of the electrodes having a proximal end and an independent conductors distal end forming a substantially pointed tip with a conductive portion on a surface thereof, and a length therebetween defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the plurality of independent conductors are supported adjacent the distal end of the drive shaft and the proximal end of each of the electrodes is adapted for engaging the distal end of the drive shaft, the drive shaft causing rotation of the plurality of electrodes to facilitate entry and passage through tissue; and
an RF energy source in electrical connection to the independent conductors to supply radio frequency energy. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
the plurality of electrodes mounted at the distal end of the elongated housing and the drive shaft is disposed within the elongated housing and mounted for rotation therewithin. -
17. The apparatus according to claim 15 further including an end cap mounted to the distal end of the elongated housing, the end cap defining openings for receipt of the plurality of electrodes.
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18. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the actuator comprises a motor.
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19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the drive shaft comprises a drive shaft gear and each of the electrodes comprises an electrode gear in engagement with the drive shaft gear whereby rotation of the drive shaft causes corresponding rotation of the electrodes.
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20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of electrodes includes a threaded portion to facilitate retention of the plurality of electrodes in the tissue.
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21. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of electrodes are retractable from the tissue mass.
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22. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the actuator is adapted to cause rotation in a reverse direction for retracting the plurality of electrodes from the tissue.
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23. A method for thermal treatment of a tissue mass comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrosurgical device having at least two rotatable electrodes, each of the electrodes having a distal end forming a substantially pointed tip with a conductive portion on a surface thereof;
positioning the at least two rotatable electrodes adjacent tissue;
rotating the at least two electrodes to cause penetration within the tissue; and
supplying electrosurgical energy to at least two electrodes sufficient to treat the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification