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, at least a portion of which comprises necrotic 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 fluid sufficient to generate an ionized vapor layer at the active electrode;
removing at least a portion of the necrotic tissue in a substantially non-thermal manner by application of the ionized vapor layer to the chronic wound tissue, wherein the step of removing further comprises;
sterilizing at least a portion of the wound bed while applying the ionized vapor layer; and
preparing a uniform tissue surface more conducive to wound healing.
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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, at least a portion of which comprises necrotic 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 fluid sufficient to generate an ionized vapor layer at the active electrode; removing at least a portion of the necrotic tissue in a substantially non-thermal manner by application of the ionized vapor layer to the chronic wound tissue, wherein the step of removing further comprises; sterilizing at least a portion of the wound bed while applying the ionized vapor layer; and preparing a uniform tissue surface more conducive to wound healing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 21, 22)
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16. 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 necrotic tissue and a 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, thereby forming a plasma at the active electrode; and applying the plasma to the chronic wound tissue; removing at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue by application of the plasma wherein removing the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue further comprises the steps of; molecularly dissociating the at least a portion of the chronic wound tissue including at least a portion of the necrotic tissue so as to leave a uniform, smooth, and contoured surface layer, conducive to proper healing. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification