Electrosurgical method using laterally arranged active electrode
First Claim
1. A method for applying electrical energy to a body structure at a target site on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
- positioning an active electrode into at least close proximity with a body structure at the target site;
spacing a return electrode from the active electrode such that the return electrode does not contact the body structure; and
applying a high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the target site, and to the return electrode, the high frequency voltage difference being sufficient to remove at least a portion of the body structure at the target site wherein said active electrode is arranged on a lateral surface of a shaft such that the active electrode may be traversed across the body structure upon longitudinal movement of the shaft.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical probe comprises a shaft having an electrode array (12) at its distal end and a connector at its proximal end. The array (12) includes a plurality of isolated electrode terminals, and an electrosurgical power supply (28) is provided with a multiplicity of independently limited or controlled current sources and a connector. The electrosurgical probe and the power supply may be connected through their respective connectors so that the independent current sources are connected to individual electric terminals. By applying very high frequency electrical energy to the electrode array, target tissue may be cut or ablated while heat dissipation through low impedance paths, such as blood and normal saline, will be minimized.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for applying electrical energy to a body structure at a target site on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
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positioning an active electrode into at least close proximity with a body structure at the target site;
spacing a return electrode from the active electrode such that the return electrode does not contact the body structure; and
applying a high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the target site, and to the return electrode, the high frequency voltage difference being sufficient to remove at least a portion of the body structure at the target site wherein said active electrode is arranged on a lateral surface of a shaft such that the active electrode may be traversed across the body structure upon longitudinal movement of the shaft. - 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)
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Specification