FLUID-ASSISTED MEDICAL DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Surgical devices for treating tissue are provided. Also provided are systems for treating tissue and methods of treating tissue. An exemplary surgical device has a handle, a fluid passage connectable to a fluid source, a tip portion and a distal end. The tip portion can simultaneously provide RF power and conductive fluid to tissue. The tip portion includes an electrode having a domed portion having a domed surface and a cylindrical portion having a cylindrical surface. The domed portion is located distal to the cylindrical portion and occupies at least a portion of the distal end of the surgical device. The device includes a fluid outlet opening in fluid communication with the fluid passage, the fluid outlet opening configured to provide the conductive fluid to a surface of the electrode proximal to the distal end surface of the surgical device.
141 Citations
37 Claims
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1-26. -26. (canceled)
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27. A surgical method for treating tissue comprising:
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providing tissue having a tissue surface;
providing radio frequency power and an electrically conductive fluid to an electrosurgical device having a tip portion which simultaneously provides the radio frequency power and the electrically conductive fluid to a tissue treatment site, the tip portion comprising at least one fluid outlet opening and a non-porous blunt distal end provided by an exposed electrode;
providing an electrically conductive fluid from the electrosurgical device at a fluid flow rate;
forming a localized fluid coupling with the electrically conductive fluid which couples the tissue surface and the electrode, the fluid coupling localized at the tip portion of the electrosurgical device;
providing the radio frequency power to the tissue;
moving the tip portion of the electrosurgical device along the tissue;
coagulating the tissue with the electrosurgical device without cutting the tissue; and
blunt dissecting the tissue with the tip portion of the electrosurgical device after coagulating the tissue. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification