Medical instrument and method of use
First Claim
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1. A method of applying energy to soft tissue comprising:
- generating a flow of vapor within a chamber;
recirculating the flow of vapor within the chamber to increase a vapor quality of the flow of vapor; and
introducing the flow of vapor into a targeted soft tissue at a high velocity wherein the vapor delivers thermal energy sufficient to modify the tissue and where the high velocity of the vapor applies mechanical energy sufficient to modify the tissue.
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Abstract
This invention relates to surgical instruments for applying energy to tissue using a vapor-to-liquid phase transition which delivers large amount of energy to the targeted tissue. In one embodiment, the system is configured for volumetric removal of tissue by means of high velocity ejection of a vapor media from a first vapor port proximate to soft tissue wherein the vapor-to-liquid phase change of the media applies energy to the tissue. The system provides a second port coupled to a suction source that cooperates with the first vapor port to suction tissue debris from the targeted site.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of applying energy to soft tissue comprising:
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generating a flow of vapor within a chamber; recirculating the flow of vapor within the chamber to increase a vapor quality of the flow of vapor; and introducing the flow of vapor into a targeted soft tissue at a high velocity wherein the vapor delivers thermal energy sufficient to modify the tissue and where the high velocity of the vapor applies mechanical energy sufficient to modify the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of applying energy to mammalian tissue comprising:
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generating a flow of vapor within a chamber; recirculating the flow of vapor within the chamber to increase a vapor quality of the flow of vapor; and introducing the flow of vapor into a targeted tissue region at a high velocity wherein the vapor delivers thermal energy sufficient to modify the tissue and where the high velocity of the vapor applies mechanical energy sufficient to modify the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification