Systems and methods for screen electrode securement
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument for removing tissue from a target site within or on a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end portion;
an electrode assembly comprising a substantially flat active screen electrode positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft, at least one return electrode positioned on the shaft and spaced away from the active electrode, and at least one securing electrode positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft and disposed through a screen slot in the screen electrode, the at least one securing electrode comprising an electrode head that electrically connects the at least one securing electrode to the screen electrode;
wherein the at least one securing electrode further comprises a leg extending from the electrode head, and a tab extending from the leg;
an electrically insulating support member upon which the screen electrode is mounted, the support member mechanically interfering with and engaging a portion of the tab of the at least one securing electrode, wherein the electrode head has an elongate surface extending beyond the screen slot such that the combination of the electrode head and the tab mechanically act to fixedly secure the screen electrode to the support member and maintain electrical connection between the at least one securing electrode and the screen electrode; and
at least one electrical connector extending through the shaft, wherein the at least one securing electrode is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector at the tab.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient'"'"'s body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical engagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like.
543 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument for removing tissue from a target site within or on a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
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a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end portion; an electrode assembly comprising a substantially flat active screen electrode positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft, at least one return electrode positioned on the shaft and spaced away from the active electrode, and at least one securing electrode positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft and disposed through a screen slot in the screen electrode, the at least one securing electrode comprising an electrode head that electrically connects the at least one securing electrode to the screen electrode; wherein the at least one securing electrode further comprises a leg extending from the electrode head, and a tab extending from the leg; an electrically insulating support member upon which the screen electrode is mounted, the support member mechanically interfering with and engaging a portion of the tab of the at least one securing electrode, wherein the electrode head has an elongate surface extending beyond the screen slot such that the combination of the electrode head and the tab mechanically act to fixedly secure the screen electrode to the support member and maintain electrical connection between the at least one securing electrode and the screen electrode; and at least one electrical connector extending through the shaft, wherein the at least one securing electrode is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector at the tab. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An electrosurgical instrument for removing tissue from a target site within or on a patient'"'"'s body comprising:
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a shaft having proximal and distal end portions; an electrode assembly on the distal end portion, the electrode assembly comprising a substantially flat active screen electrode, a return electrode spaced from the active screen electrode, and bilateral securing electrodes electrically coupled to the active screen electrode and securing the active screen electrode to the shaft; wherein each securing electrode comprises an electrode head, a leg extending from the head and a tab extending from the leg, wherein the electrode head has an elongate surface that engages and secures the screen electrode, and wherein the electrode head electrically connects each securing electrode to the screen electrode; an insulative support body operable to support the active screen electrode and engage the tabs of the bilateral securing electrodes so as cooperate with the electrode head to mechanically secure the screen electrode to the support body; and electrical connectors extending through the shaft, the electrical connectors operable to couple the bilateral securing electrodes with a high frequency power supply. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification