Electrosurgical apparatus and methods for treatment and removal of tissue
First Claim
1. A method of treating a target tissue of a patient, comprising:
- a) providing an electrosurgical probe having an active electrode and a return electrode, the return electrode comprising a return electrode coil having an open tubular shape, the return electrode coil having from about 3 to 10 turns, a gap formed between the turns of the coil;
b) positioning the active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue and an electrically conductive fluid, the active electrode located at a distal end of an elongate member extending through said coil such that said active electrode is positioned distal to said coil, the gap adapted to allow the electrically conductive fluid to flow therethrough;
c) applying a high frequency voltage to the electrically conductive fluid between the active electrode and the return electrode sufficient to vaporize the electrically conductive fluid, wherein at least a portion of the tissue at the target site is ablated by the vaporized electrically conductive fluid; and
d) aspirating the ablated tissue through an aspiration port within the electrosurgical probe.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for ablating, severing, cutting, shrinking, coagulating, or otherwise modifying a target tissue to be treated. In a method for treating a target tissue, an active electrode of an electrosurgical probe is positioned in at least close proximity to the target tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid. A high frequency voltage is then applied between the active electrode and a return electrode, wherein, the high frequency voltage is sufficient to volumetrically remove (ablate), sever, or modify at least a portion of the target tissue. The probe comprises a multi-lumen shaft having a plurality of internal lumens, and a return electrode coil oriented substantially parallel to the shaft distal end. The active electrode may be in the form of a metal disc, a hook, or an active electrode coil. In the latter embodiment, the active electrode coil is typically arranged substantially orthogonal to the return electrode coil. Methods of making an active electrode coil, a return electrode coil, and an electrosurgical probe are also disclosed.
-
Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method of treating a target tissue of a patient, comprising:
-
a) providing an electrosurgical probe having an active electrode and a return electrode, the return electrode comprising a return electrode coil having an open tubular shape, the return electrode coil having from about 3 to 10 turns, a gap formed between the turns of the coil; b) positioning the active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue and an electrically conductive fluid, the active electrode located at a distal end of an elongate member extending through said coil such that said active electrode is positioned distal to said coil, the gap adapted to allow the electrically conductive fluid to flow therethrough; c) applying a high frequency voltage to the electrically conductive fluid between the active electrode and the return electrode sufficient to vaporize the electrically conductive fluid, wherein at least a portion of the tissue at the target site is ablated by the vaporized electrically conductive fluid; and d) aspirating the ablated tissue through an aspiration port within the electrosurgical probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of treating a target tissue of a patient, comprising:
-
positioning a distal section of an electrosurgical probe in close proximity to said tissue, said distal section comprising a return electrode coil having a plurality of turns and forming an open tubular shape, the coil having a plurality of turns, a gap formed between a plurality of the turns of the coil, said distal section further comprising an active electrode positioned on an elongate member extending through said coil and said active electrode being distal to said coil; applying a high frequency voltage to an electrically conductive fluid between the active electrode and the return electrode sufficient to vaporize the electrically conductive fluid such that at least a portion of the tissue at the target site is modified by the vaporized electrically conductive fluid; and aspirating the ablated tissue through a suction lumen within the electrosurgical probe. - View Dependent Claims (16)
-
Specification