Electrosurgical system and method for sterilizing chronic wound tissue
First Claim
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1. An electrosurgical method of treating a chronic wound tissue comprising:
- positioning an active electrode in proximity to the chronic wound tissue, wherein the chronic wound tissue comprises a wound bed;
delivering an electrically conductive fluid proximate the active electrode;
applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode in the presence of the electrically conductive fluid sufficient to generate an ionized vapor layer at the active electrode;
removing at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue by application of the ionized vapor layer to the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue, wherein removing the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue further comprises;
molecularly dissociating the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue and at least some surrounding avascular tissue on periphery her of the wound bed so as to bridge vascular gaps between surrounding vital tissue and the wound bed, and induce blood to flow directly to the wound bed, so as to prepare a smooth and uniform bleeding wound bed.
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Abstract
An electrosurgical method for sterilizing chronic wound tissue, comprising: positioning an active electrode in proximity to the chronic wound tissue; delivering an electrically conductive fluid proximate the active electrode; and applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode in the presence of the electrically conductive liquid sufficient to generate an ionized vapor layer at the active electrode, wherein the ionized vapor layer sterilizes at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical method of treating a chronic wound tissue comprising:
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positioning an active electrode in proximity to the chronic wound tissue, wherein the chronic wound tissue comprises a wound bed; delivering an electrically conductive fluid proximate the active electrode; applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode in the presence of the electrically conductive fluid sufficient to generate an ionized vapor layer at the active electrode; removing at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue by application of the ionized vapor layer to the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue, wherein removing the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue further comprises; molecularly dissociating the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue and at least some surrounding avascular tissue on periphery her of the wound bed so as to bridge vascular gaps between surrounding vital tissue and the wound bed, and induce blood to flow directly to the wound bed, so as to prepare a smooth and uniform bleeding wound bed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electrosurgical method of treating a chronic wound tissue comprising:
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positioning an active electrode in proximity to the chronic wound tissue, the chronic wound tissue comprising a wound bed having a surface layer and wherein avascular tissue surrounds at least portion of the wound bed; positioning a return electrode in the presence of the chronic wound tissue, the return electrode proximally spaced away from the active electrode; applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and the return electrode, wherein the high frequency voltage is sufficient to vaporize and ionize an electrically conductive fluid such that a vapor layer is formed and a discharge of plasma is induced from the vapor layer; removing a portion of the chronic wound tissue, wherein removing the chronic wound tissue comprises; applying the plasma to the chronic wound tissue; and molecularly dissociating the chronic wound tissue as well as at least some of the avascular tissue sufficient to remove at least some gaps in vascularity surrounding the wound bed and prepare a smooth and uniform bleeding wound bed; and substantially reducing a concentration of pathogens in the bleeding wound bed while applying the plasma. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An electrosurgical method of treating a chronic wound tissue comprising:
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positioning an active electrode in proximity to the chronic wound tissue, wherein the chronic wound tissue comprises a wound bed; positioning a return electrode in the presence of the chronic wound tissue, the return electrode proximally spaced from the active electrode; applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage sufficient to develop high electric field intensities associated with an ionized vapor layer proximate the active electrode; removing at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue by application of the high electric field intensities to the chronic wound tissue, wherein removing the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue further comprises; engaging the chronic wound tissue with the ionized vapor layer sufficient to molecularly dissociate the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue as well as some surrounding tissue sufficient to remove vascular gaps surrounding the wound bed and restore a blood flow to the wound bed and any remaining chronic wound tissue; and sterilizing at least a portion of the wound bed with the application of the ionized vapor layer. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification