Electrosurgical device with improved visibility
First Claim
1. A radiopaque cannula for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the cannula comprising:
- a radiopaque elongate member, having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therebetween; and
a radiopaque marker associated with the elongate member for identifying a portion of said elongate member under radiographic imaging.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving accuracy of placement of a cannula during delivery of electrical energy proximate to bodily tissue, e.g. neural structures. The apparatus optionally includes a cannula operable to deliver electrical current where a portion of the cannula is electrically insulated and a portion of the cannula is exposed and electrically conductive. The cannula further includes a radiopaque marker to identify a specific portion of the cannula, for example to differentiate the electrically insulated region from the electrically exposed region, by allowing it to be more clearly delineated using fluoroscopy or other radiographic imaging techniques. The radiopaque marker is optionally tapered in order to reduce the force required to insert a cannula comprising a radiopaque marker into the patient'"'"'s body.
90 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A radiopaque cannula for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the cannula comprising:
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a radiopaque elongate member, having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a lumen therebetween; and
a radiopaque marker associated with the elongate member for identifying a portion of said elongate member under radiographic imaging. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A cannula for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, said cannula comprising:
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an elongate member; and
a means for improving radiographic visualization of said elongate member;
said means for improving radiographic visualization being associated with said elongate member and being shaped so as to reduce a force required to insert said elongate member into said patient'"'"'s body.
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16. A system for delivering energy to a patient'"'"'s body, said system comprising:
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an energy source;
a radiopaque cannula comprising an electrically conductive radiopaque elongate member, the elongate member comprising an electrically insulated region, an electrically exposed region and a radiopaque marker for distinguishing the insulated region from the exposed region using radiographic imaging techniques;
a means of delivering energy from said energy source to said cannula; and
a reference electrode. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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18. A method for treating pain by delivering energy to a patient'"'"'s body, comprising the steps of:
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(i) providing an electrically conductive radiopaque cannula comprising an electrically insulated region, an electrically exposed region and a radiopaque marker for distinguishing the insulated region from the exposed region;
(ii) positioning said electrically exposed region proximate a region of tissue to be treated;
(iii) determining a position of said electrically exposed region by identifying a location of said radiopaque marker using radiographic imaging techniques at least one of before and after step (ii); and
(iv) delivering energy through the cannula to said region of tissue to be treated;
whereby the energy is delivered to relieve pain. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification