Systems for epidermal tissue ablation
First Claim
1. An apparatus for epidermal tissue ablation comprising:
- a shaft having proximal and distal end portions with an active electrode terminal disposed on the distal end portion;
a return electrode disposed on the shaft;
a fluid delivery element defining a fluid path in electrical contact with the return electrode and the active electrode terminal, the fluid path having an inlet adapted to be fluidly coupled to an electrically conducting fluid supply for directing fluid along the fluid path to generate a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode terminal; and
a high frequency power supply power coupled to the return electrode and the active electrode for applying a voltage difference there-between, the voltage difference being sufficient to volumetrically remove a portion of the epidermal tissue.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for surface tissue ablation on the patient'"'"'s outer skin, such as the epidermis or the underlying dermis. An electrosurgical probe (130) comprises a shaft (132) having an array of active electrodes (136) on its distal tip and a connector (134) at its proximal end for coupling the electrode array to a high frequency power supply. An electrically conducting liquid is directed along a fluid flow path (142) past a return electrode surface (138) to the target site to provide a current flow path between the target site and the return electrode. High frequency voltage is then applied to the active and return electrodes so that an electric current flows from the active electrode, through a layer of vapor formed at the tip of the electrode, and to the return electrode through the current flow path provided by the electrically conducting liquid. The high frequency voltage will preferably be sufficient to establish high electric field densities between the active electrode array and the epidermal tissue to thereby induce molecular breakdown or disintegration of several cell layers of the tissue.
472 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for epidermal tissue ablation comprising:
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a shaft having proximal and distal end portions with an active electrode terminal disposed on the distal end portion; a return electrode disposed on the shaft; a fluid delivery element defining a fluid path in electrical contact with the return electrode and the active electrode terminal, the fluid path having an inlet adapted to be fluidly coupled to an electrically conducting fluid supply for directing fluid along the fluid path to generate a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode terminal; and a high frequency power supply power coupled to the return electrode and the active electrode for applying a voltage difference there-between, the voltage difference being sufficient to volumetrically remove a portion of the epidermal tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus for epidermal tissue ablation, comprising:
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a shaft having proximal and distal end portions, said shaft including an active electrode terminal disposed on the distal end portion; a return electrode disposed on the shaft; a high frequency voltage source coupled to the return electrode and the active electrode for applying a voltage difference there-between, the voltage difference being sufficient to volumetrically remove a portion of the epidermal tissue; and a fluid supply element adapted to direct electrically conductive fluid between the return electrode and the active electrode terminal and wherein said voltage difference being sufficient to create a vapor layer around the active electrode terminal and said vapor layer discharging energy to said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification