Under water treatment
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium, the instrument comprising an instrument shaft, and, an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft, the electrode assembly comprising a tissue treatment electrode and a return electrode which is electrically insulated from the tissue treatment electrode by means of an insulation member, the tissue treatment electrode having an exposed end for treating tissue, and the return electrode having a fluid contact surface which is spaced proximally from the tissue treatment electrode in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode, wherein the electrode assembly is provided with a plurality of apertures in the region of the tissue treatment electrode and distal to the return electrode, through which apertures vapour bubbles and/or particulate material can be aspirated from the region surrounding the tissue treatment electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical instrument comprises an instrument shaft and an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly comprises a tissue treatment electrode and a return electrode which is insulated from the treatment electrode by means of an insulation member. The tissue treatment electrode has an exposed end for treating tissue, and the return electrode has a fluid contact surface which is spaced from the tissue treatment electrode in such a manner as to define a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode. The electrode assembly is provided with a plurality of apertures in the region of the tissue treatment electrode through which apertures vapor bubbles and/or particulate material can be aspirated from the region surrounding the tissue treatment electrode.
537 Citations
29 Claims
- 1. An electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium, the instrument comprising an instrument shaft, and, an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft, the electrode assembly comprising a tissue treatment electrode and a return electrode which is electrically insulated from the tissue treatment electrode by means of an insulation member, the tissue treatment electrode having an exposed end for treating tissue, and the return electrode having a fluid contact surface which is spaced proximally from the tissue treatment electrode in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode, wherein the electrode assembly is provided with a plurality of apertures in the region of the tissue treatment electrode and distal to the return electrode, through which apertures vapour bubbles and/or particulate material can be aspirated from the region surrounding the tissue treatment electrode.
- 25. An electrode unit for an electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium, the electrode unit comprising a shaft having at one end means for connection to an instrument handpiece, and, mounted on the other end of the shaft, an electrode assembly comprising a tissue treatment electrode and a return electrode which is electrically insulated from the tissue treatment electrode by means of an insulation member, the tissue treatment electrode having an exposed end for treating tissue, and the return electrode having a fluid contact surface which is spaced proximally from the tissue treatment electrode in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode, wherein the electrode assembly is provided with a plurality of apertures in the region of the tissue treatment electrode and distal to the return electrode, through which apertures vapour bubbles and/or particulate material can be aspirated from the region surrounding the tissue treatment electrode.
- 28. Electrosurgical apparatus comprising a radio frequency generator and an electrosurgical instrument for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium, the instrument comprising an instrument shaft, and an electrode assembly at one end of the shaft, the electrode assembly comprising a tissue treatment electrode and a return electrode which is electrically insulated from the tissue treatment electrode by means of an insulation member, the tissue treatment electrode having an exposed end for treating tissue, and the return electrode having a fluid contact surface which is spaced proximally from the tissue treatment electrode in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode, and the radio frequency generator having a bipolar output connected to the electrodes, wherein the electrode assembly is provided with a plurality of apertures in the region of the tissue treatment electrode and distal to the return electrode, through which apertures vapour bubbles and/or particulate material can be aspirated from the region surrounding the tissue treatment electrode.
Specification