Systems and methods for electrosurgical treatment of submucosal tissue
First Claim
1. A method for treating tissue comprising:
- positioning an active electrode adjacent to tissue;
applying a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode;
during at least a portion of the applying step, advancing the active electrode into the tissue; and
during or after the first applying step, applying a second high frequency voltage between the return electrode and a coagulation electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides systems and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within the head and neck of a patient'"'"'s body, particularly including tissue in the ear, nose and throat. The present invention includes a channeling technique in which small holes or channels are formed within tissue structures in the mouth, such as the tonsils, tongue, palate and uvula, and thermal energy is applied to the tissue surface immediately surrounding these holes or channels to cause thermal damage to the tissue surface, thereby stiffening the surrounding tissue structure. Applicant has discovered that such stiffening of certain tissue structures in the mouth and throat helps to prevent the tissue structure from obstructing the patient'"'"'s upper airway during sleep.
304 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for treating tissue comprising:
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positioning an active electrode adjacent to tissue;
applying a first high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode;
during at least a portion of the applying step, advancing the active electrode into the tissue; and
during or after the first applying step, applying a second high frequency voltage between the return electrode and a coagulation electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for treating tissue comprising:
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an electrosurgical instrument having a shaft with a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;
an electrode assembly comprising first, second and third electrodes positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft and axially spaced from each other;
a power source coupled to the first, second and third electrodes for applying a high frequency voltage between the first and second electrodes, and between the second and third electrodes at the same time. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification