Electrical ablation device
First Claim
1. An electrical ablation apparatus, comprising:
- a housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a flexible housing extending along a longitudinal axis;
a first electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the housing, the proximal end is adapted to couple to an energy source; and
a second electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the flexible housing, the proximal end is adapted to couple to an energy source, wherein the distal ends of the first and second electrodes are separated by a gap, the second electrode comprising;
a first prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and
a second prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second prongs are electrically coupled at the proximal end and are configured to separate and define an opening when the second electrode is extended distally;
wherein the size of the opening is selectively adjustable such that when the first and second electrodes are energized by the energy source at a predetermined energy level, an electric current suitable to ablate tissue located within the opening flows across the gap and forms an electric arc between the distal end of the first electrode and the tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical ablation apparatus includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the housing. The electrodes are configured to connect to electrically conductive wires. The first and second electrodes are separated by a gap. The second electrode includes first and second prongs defining an opening suitable to receive tissue to be ablated therebetween. When the first and second electrodes are energized at a predetermined energy level, an electric current suitable to ablate the tissue flows across the gap and forms an electric arc between the distal end of the first electrode and the tissue. A system includes an energy source to drive the electrical ablation apparatus. A method includes introducing the electrical ablation apparatus into a patient and ablating tissue with the electric arc.
1103 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An electrical ablation apparatus, comprising:
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a housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a flexible housing extending along a longitudinal axis; a first electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the housing, the proximal end is adapted to couple to an energy source; and a second electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the flexible housing, the proximal end is adapted to couple to an energy source, wherein the distal ends of the first and second electrodes are separated by a gap, the second electrode comprising; a first prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a second prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second prongs are electrically coupled at the proximal end and are configured to separate and define an opening when the second electrode is extended distally; wherein the size of the opening is selectively adjustable such that when the first and second electrodes are energized by the energy source at a predetermined energy level, an electric current suitable to ablate tissue located within the opening flows across the gap and forms an electric arc between the distal end of the first electrode and the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electrical ablation system, comprising:
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an energy source; an electrical ablation apparatus coupled to the energy source, the electrical ablation apparatus comprising; a housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the housing extending along a longitudinal axis; a first electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the housing, the proximal end is configured to couple to the energy source; and a second electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the housing, the proximal end is configured to couple to the energy source, the distal ends of the first and second electrodes are separated by a gap, the second electrode comprising; a first prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a second prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second prongs are electrically coupled at the proximal end and are configured to separate and define an opening when the second electrode is extended distally; wherein the size of the opening is selectively adjustable such that when the first and second electrodes are energized by the energy source at a predetermined energy level, an electric current suitable to ablate tissue located within the opening flows across the gap and forms an electric arc between the distal end of the first electrode and the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A method of endoscopically ablating tissue, the method comprising:
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inserting a portion of an endoscope into a natural opening of a patient to a target site; inserting an electrical ablation apparatus through a working channel of the portion of the endoscope, the electrical ablation apparatus comprising; a housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the housing extending along a longitudinal axis; a first electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the housing, the proximal end is configured to connect to a first electrically conductive wire; and a second electrode comprising a proximal end and a distal end is disposed within the housing, the proximal end is configured to connect to a second electrically conductive wire, the distal ends of the first and second electrodes are separated by a gap, the second electrode comprising; a first prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end; and a second prong comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the first and second prongs are electrically coupled at the proximal end and are configured to separate and define an opening when the second electrode is extended distally; extending the distal ends of the first and second electrodes through the distal end of the elongated tubular member to separate the first and second prongs;
receiving tissue to be ablated between the first and second prongs;energizing the first and second electrodes; and ablating the tissue located in the gap with an electric current that forms an electric arc between the first electrode and the tissue.
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Specification