Pen-type electrosurgical instrument

• US 7,422,588 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2006
• Issued: 09/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Hoey, Michael F., Mulier, Peter M. J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US11/635,166
• Publication Number:
  US 20070208332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 606/32, 606/41, 606/49
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1815 using microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00196 reciprocating lengthwise
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00291 using suction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1417 Ball
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1472 for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1861 with an instrument inserted into a body lumen or cavity, e.g. a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/002 Irrigation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2218/007 Aspiration

Abstract

An electrocautery device is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the electrocautery electrode/tip is provided with a hollow, conductive tube terminating at its distal end in a ball point type tip. Fluid, preferably conductive fluid, is applied to the proximal end of the hollow electrode/tip, and expelled from the distal end thereof during electrocautery. The ball point distal tip allows the distal tip to be directly applied to the tissue and “rolled” or slid along the tissue. This allows the distal tip to be moved across the tissue without dragging or snagging on the tissue. In addition, the conductive fluid expelled from the distal tip further lubricates the distal tip as it moves across the tissue. If conductive fluid is used, the conductive fluid emanating from the electrode/tip conducts the RF electrocautery energy away from the distal tip so that it is primarily the fluid, rather than the distal tip that actually accomplishes the cauterizing of tissue. That is, the fluid serves as a “virtual” electrocautery electrode. Since it is the fluid, rather than the distal tip that cauterizes, coagulates and ablates, no burns or perforations are made to the tissue, reducing the amount of debris at the site. Also, the flow of fluid through the electrode/tip tends to keep the distal tip clean and cool.

Claims

1. A method of creating an ablation lesion along a length of atria tissue comprising:

creating an opening into a patient'"'"'s chest;

providing an ablation device comprising an electrode coupled to a handle;

inserting the electrode through the opening into the patient'"'"'s chest;

positioning the electrode adjacent atria tissue to be ablated;

supplying radiofrequency energy via a radiofrequency generator to the electrode; and

sliding the electrode along the length of atria tissue without snagging the atria tissue while continuing the supplying of radiofrequency energy to create an ablation lesion that interrupts one or more potential re-entry circuit patterns that could cause atrial fibrillation.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising supplying about 50 Watts radiofrequency energy.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising supplying about 25 Watts radiofrequency energy.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the atria tissue is right atria tissue.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the atria tissue is left atria tissue.

6. The method of claim 1, further supplying a fluid to lubricate the tissue.

7. The method of claim 1, further supplying a fluid to wet the tissue.