Method for conducting electrosurgery with increased crest factor

• US 8,562,603 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc. (Hoya Corporation)
• Inventors: Heim, Warren P., Brassell, James L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOOD, SAMANTHA M
• Application Number:
  US11/427,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20070005060A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,672 Days
• Field of Search: 606/37, 606/41, 606/45, 606/48, 606/49, 606/50
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating

Abstract

A method for conducting electrosurgery using increased crest factors employs an electrosurgical instrument having at least one conductive element that is surrounded by an insulation layer except at a conductor edge portion of the conductive element. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each having unique geometric shapes and composition of the parts concentrate the electrosurgical power, reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed. The combined effects of the electrosurgical instrument configurations enable safe use of crest factors of 5 or greater in electrosurgical procedures.

Claims

1. A method for performing electro surgery to achieve a predetermined electro surgical effect on tissue, comprising:

applying radiofrequency power having a crest factor of about 5 or greater to an electro surgical instrument comprising;

an electrically conductive element having a first section and a first tapered section, wherein the first tapered section includes a beveled surface having a biconcave shape terminating at a conductor cutting edge, and

an insulation layer having a second tapered section, wherein the second tapered section has a biconcave shape generally following the contours of and overlaying the biconcave shape of the first tapered section and tapering to expose the conductor cutting edge forming a primary reaction region at the conductor cutting edge; and

positioning the electro surgical instrument near tissue.

2. The method for performing electrosurgery according to claim 1, wherein the applied radiofrequency power has a crest factor of about 8 or higher.

3. The method for performing electro surgery according to claim 1, further comprising performing an incision in the tissue using the electrosurgical instrument.

4. A method for performing electrosurgery to achieve a predetermined electro surgical effect on tissue, comprising:

connecting a source of radio frequency power to an electro surgical instrument comprising;

an electrically conductive element having a first section and a first tapered section terminating at a conductor edge, wherein the first tapered section includes a beveled surface having a concave shape, and

an insulation layer having a second tapered section overlaying the conductive element which tapers against a side of the first tapered section to expose the conductor edge forming a primary reaction region, wherein the second tapered section has a concave shape;

adjusting the source of radio frequency power to output a wave form having a crest factor equal to or greater than about 5;

positioning the electrosurgical instrument near tissue; and

cutting the tissue using the electrosurgical instrument.

5. The method for performing electrosurgery according to claim 4, wherein the source of radio frequency power is adjusted to output a wave form having a crest factor equal to or greater than about 8.

6. The method for performing electrosurgery according to claim 4, wherein the concave shape of the first tapered section is biconcave.

7. The method for performing electro surgery according to claim 4, wherein the concave shape of the second tapered section is biconcave-shape.

8. The method for performing electro surgery according to claim 4, wherein the second tapered section generally follows the contours of the first tapered section.