Internally located return electrode electrosurgical apparatus, system and method
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical apparatus comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
an active electrode disposed on a surface of the distal end portion of the shaft;
a return electrode disposed within the distal end portion of the shaft;
wherein the shaft comprises a conductive cap disposed at a distal end of the shaft and in electrical communication with the return electrode and wherein the conductive cap is spaced sufficiently from the active electrode to minimize generation of an electric arc between the active electrode and the conductive cap;
wherein the shaft comprises an insulating member positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft and preventing direct electrical contact between the active and return electrodes;
electrical conductors adapted for applying a radio-frequency voltage difference across the active and return electrodes,wherein the active electrode and return electrode define a chamber within the distal end portion of the shaft such that the chamber is between the active electrode and the return electrode, the chamber allowing for electrical communication therein between the active electrode and the return electrode in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid; and
wherein the shaft comprises an aspiration lumen having a plurality of inlet apertures formed along a selected length of the shaft.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bipolar, plasma-generating electrosurgical apparatus and system wherein the return electrode is enclosed within an electrosurgical shaft, and the active electrode is located on the outside surface of the shaft such that in treating the tissue, the tissue is exposed to plasma generated on the active electrode, but is minimally exposed to electric fields generated between the active and return electrodes. Due to the configuration of the electrodes, electric fields generated between the electrodes are directed away from the target tissue and inwardly towards the return electrode within the shaft, thereby electrical stimulation of neuromuscular structures in the tissue by the electric fields is minimized.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical apparatus comprising:
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a shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; an active electrode disposed on a surface of the distal end portion of the shaft; a return electrode disposed within the distal end portion of the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises a conductive cap disposed at a distal end of the shaft and in electrical communication with the return electrode and wherein the conductive cap is spaced sufficiently from the active electrode to minimize generation of an electric arc between the active electrode and the conductive cap; wherein the shaft comprises an insulating member positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft and preventing direct electrical contact between the active and return electrodes; electrical conductors adapted for applying a radio-frequency voltage difference across the active and return electrodes, wherein the active electrode and return electrode define a chamber within the distal end portion of the shaft such that the chamber is between the active electrode and the return electrode, the chamber allowing for electrical communication therein between the active electrode and the return electrode in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid; and wherein the shaft comprises an aspiration lumen having a plurality of inlet apertures formed along a selected length of the shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrosurgical instrument for treating tissue within a body, comprising:
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a shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion; an active electrode comprising a tissue-contacting surface on the distal end portion of the shaft; a return electrode recessed within the shaft; and wherein the shaft comprises a conductive cap disposed at a distal end of the shaft and in electrical communication with the return electrode and wherein the conductive cap is spaced sufficiently from the active electrode to minimize generation of an electric arc between the active electrode and the conductive cap; wherein the shaft comprises an insulator separating the active electrode and the return electrode, wherein the tissue-contacting surface is adapted for generating plasma upon application of a radio frequency voltage across the active and return electrode in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and wherein the shaft comprises an aspiration lumen having a plurality of inlet apertures formed along a selected length of the shaft, wherein the selected length of the shaft comprises a first portion for insertion within a target tissue structure and a second portion for venting outside of the target tissue structure. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. A system for performing an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue within a body structure using plasma, the system comprising:
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an electrosurgical instrument comprising a shaft; an electrically conductive fluid supply having a discharge port on a distal end portion the shaft; and a radio-frequency voltage supply connected to the electrosurgical instrument, wherein the electrosurgical instrument further comprises; an active electrode on the distal end portion; a return electrode recessed within the shaft; wherein the shaft comprises an electrical insulator separating the active and return electrode; wherein the shaft comprises a conductive cap disposed at a distal end of the shaft and in electrical communication with the return electrode and wherein the conductive cap is spaced sufficiently from the active electrode to minimize generation of an electric arc between the active electrode and the conductive cap; and wherein the shaft comprises an aspiration lumen having a plurality of inlet apertures formed along a selected length of the shaft, wherein the selected length of the shaft comprises a first portion for insertion within a target tissue structure and a second portion for venting outside of the target tissue structure. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification