System and method for epidermal tissue ablation
First Claim
1. A method for dermatological treatment of a patient body surface comprising:
- positioning an electrosurgical probe having an active electrode surface in close proximity to a target tissue on the epidermis of the patient;
directing an electrically conducting liquid to the target tissue to provide a current flow path between the target tissue and a return electrode; and
applying high frequency voltage between the active electrode surface and the return electrode to impart sufficient energy into the target tissue to selectively remove a portion of the target tissue without causing substantial tissue necrosis beyond said removed portion.
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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.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for dermatological treatment of a patient body surface comprising:
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positioning an electrosurgical probe having an active electrode surface in close proximity to a target tissue on the epidermis of the patient; directing an electrically conducting liquid to the target tissue to provide a current flow path between the target tissue and a return electrode; and applying high frequency voltage between the active electrode surface and the return electrode to impart sufficient energy into the target tissue to selectively remove a portion of the target tissue without causing substantial tissue necrosis beyond said removed portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification