Radio frequency surgical tool and method

Claim 5

A surgical tool comprising: (a) a radio frequency source means for creating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated; and (b) an electromagnetic field focusing probe means having a tip focusing the radio frequency energy produced by said radio frequency source means at the region of the tissue making contact with the tip of said electromagnetic field focusing probe means such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized, producing simultaneously a cutting and/or cauterizing effect, said probe means being a conductive metal probe covered with an insulating sheath wherein the tip of the conductive metal probe is exposed at one end such as to allow the tip to make contact with the tissue to be surgically treated and wherein the other end of the conductive metal probe is electrically grounded; (d) a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive metal probe; and (e) a vacuum tube means adjacent to said conductive metal probe and terminating near the tip of said conductive metal probe such as to remove vaporized tissue during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 6

A surgical tool comprising: (a) a radio frequency source means for creating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated; and (b) an electromagnetic field focusing probe means having a tip focusing the radio frequency energy produced by said radio frequency source means at the region of the tissue making contact with the tip of said electromagnetic field focusing probe means such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized, producing simultaneously a cutting and/or cauterizing effect, said probe means being a conductive metal probe covered with an insulating sheath wherein the tip of the conductive metal probe is exposed at one end such as to allow the tip to make contact with the tissue to be surgically treated and wherein the other end of the conductive metal probe is electrically grounded; (d) a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive metal probe; and (e) a vacuum tube means adjacent to said conductive metal probe and terminating near the tip of said conductive metal probe such as to remove vaporized tissue during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 7

A surgical tool comprising: a radio frequency source means for creating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated, wherein said radio frequency source means comprises: (a) a signal generator means for producing an oscillating electrical signal of a pre-selected frequency; (b) an amplifier means connected to said signal generating means for amplifying the oscillating electrical signal; (c) a meter means for monitoring the amplified oscillating electrical signal output; (d) an inductive applicator means; (e) an impedance matching means for adjusting the impedance of said amplified oscillating electrical signal output to said inductive applicator means, for inducing the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the tissue to be surgically treated; (f) an electromagnetic field focusing probe means, having a tip for focusing the radio frequency energy produced by said radio frequency source means at the region of the tissue making contact with the tip of said electromagnetic field focusing probe means such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized, producing simultaneously a cutting and/or cauterizing effect, said probe means being a conductive metal probe covered with an insulating sheath wherein the tip of the conductive metal probe is exposed at one end such that as to allow the tip to make contact with the tissue to be surgically treated and wherein the other end of the conductive metal probe is electrically grounded and including in series between the said tip and said ground: (1) a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive metal probe during use of said surgical tool, and (2) a tuner circuit means for adjusting and optimizing the inducted electrical current passing through said conductive metal probe; and said tool further including (g) a vacuum tube means adjacent to said conductive metal probe and terminating near the tip of said conductive metal probe such as to remove vaporized tissue during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 8

A surgical tool comprising: a radio frequency source means for creating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated, wherein said radio frequency source means comprises: (a) a signal generator means for producing an oscillating electrical signal of a pre-selected frequency; (b) an amplifier means connected to said signal generating means for amplifying the oscillating electrical signal; (c) a meter means for monitoring the amplified oscillating electrical signal output; (d) an inductive applicator means; (e) an impedance matching means for adjusting the impedance of said amplified oscillating electrical signal output to said inductive applicator means, for inducing the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the tissue to be surgically treated; (f) an electromagnetic field focusing probe means, having a tip for focusing the radio frequency energy produced by said radio frequency source means at the region of the tissue making contact with the tip of said electromagnetic field focusing probe means such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized, producing simultaneously a cutting and/or cauterizing effect, said probe means being a conductive metal probe covered with an insulating sheath wherein the tip of the conductive metal probe is exposed at one end such that as to allow the tip to make contact with the tissue to be surgically treated and wherein the other end of the conductive metal probe is electrically grounded and including in series between the said tip and said ground: (1) a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive metal probe during use of said surgical tool, and (2) a tuner circuit means for adjusting and optimizing the inducted electrical current passing through said conductive metal probe; and said tool further including (g) a vacuum tube means adjacent to said conductive metal probe and terminating near the tip of said conductive metal probe such as to remove vaporized tissue during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 9

A surgical tool comprising the combination of: (a) a radio frequency source means for creating an electromagnetic energy field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated; and (b) a separate electromagnetic field focusing insulated conductive metal probe means having an uninsulated and exposed tip as a focusing means at the region of the tissue making contact with the tip of said probe means, the diameter and length of said exposed tip such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized, producing simultaneously, a substantially bloodless cutting and/or cauterizing effect; means for adjusting the optimizing the energy passing through said probe means; and said probe means further including a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive metal probe means during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 10

A surgical tool comprising the combination of: (a) a radio frequency source means for creating an electromagnetic energy field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated; and (b) a separate electromagnetic field focusing insulated conductive metal probe means having an uninsulated and exposed tip as a focusing means at the region of the tissue making contact with the tip of said probe means, the diameter and length of said exposed tip such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized, producing simultaneously, a substantially bloodless cutting and/or cauterizing effect; means for adjusting the optimizing the energy passing through said probe means; and said probe means further including a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive metal probe means during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 11

A surgical tool of claim 5 including a vacuum means adjacent to said conductive metal probe means and terminating near said tip of said conductive metal probe means to remove vaporized tissue during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 12

A surgical tool comprising the combination of: (a) a radio frequency source means for creating an electromagnetic energy field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated; and (b) a separate electromagnetic field focusing insulated conductive metal probe means having an uninsulated and exposed tip as a focusing means at the region of the tissue making contact with the tip of said probe means, the diameter and length of said exposed tip such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized, producing simultaneously, a substantially bloodless cutting and/or cauterizing effect, said probe means being grounded and including in series between said tip and said ground; (1) a tuner circuit means for adjusting and optimizing the energy passing through said probe means; and (2) a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive means probe means during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 13

A surgical tool comprising the combination of: (a) a radio frequency source means for creating an electromagnetic energy field in the vicinity of tissue to be surgically treated; and (b) a separate electromagnetic field focusing insulated conductive metal probe means having an uninsulated and exposed tip as a focusing means at the region of the tissue making contact with the tip of said probe means, the diameter and length of said exposed tip such that the tissue being contacted is instantaneously vaporized, producing simultaneously, a substantially bloodless cutting and/or cauterizing effect, said probe means being grounded and including in series between said tip and said ground; (1) a tuner circuit means for adjusting and optimizing the energy passing through said probe means; and (2) a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive means probe means during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 14

The surgical tool of claim 7 wherein said exposed tip of said conductive metal probe means is a stainless steel needle.

Claim 15

The surgical tool of claim 7 including a vacuum tube means adjacent to said probe means and terminating near said tip of said probe means to remove vaporized tissue during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 16

A surgical tool of claim 7 wherein said conductive metal probe means is of size to be insertable intravenously.

Claim 17

A surgical tool of claim 7 wherein said radio frequency source means further comprises: (a) a signal generator means for producing an oscillating electrical signal of a pre-selected frequency; (b) an amplifier means connected to said signal generating means for amplifying the oscillating electrical signal; (c) a meter means for monitoring the amplified oscillating electrical signal output; (d) an inductive applicator means for inducing the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the tissue to be surgically treated; and (e) an impedance matching means for adjusting the impedance between said amplifier means and said inductive applicator means.

Claim 18

The surgical tool of claim 11 including (f) means to adjust said frequency to effect said surgical treatment.

Claim 19

The surgical tool of claim 12 wherein said frequency is within the range of 13.0 to 28.0 MHz.

Claim 20

The surgical tool of claim 11 wherein said exposed tip of said conductive metal probe means is a stainless steel needle.

Claim 21

The surgical tool of claim 11 including a vacuum tube means adjacent to said probe means and terminating near said tip of said probe means to remove vaporized tissue during use of said surgical tool.

Claim 22

A surgical tool of claim 11 wherein said conductive metal probe means is of size to be insertable intravenously.

Claim 23

A tool for surgical use in vaporizing artheroschlerotic plaque in animal and human patients comprising: an electromagnetic field focusing insulated conductive metal probe means capable of insertion intravenously, said probe means having an exposed heatable tip means for receiving radio frequency (RF) waves, while said heatable tip means is intravenously positioned adjacent said plaque, to raise the temperature of said heatable tip means sufficient to vaporize said plaque; a ground wire electrically connected to said heatable tip means and adapted to be connected to an electrical ground external of said patient into which said probe means is inserted; and means separate and removed from the probe means for transmitting RF waves toward said patient, said heatable tip means when grounded by said ground wire acting to focus said RF waves to instantaneously raise the temperature of said heatable tip means.

Claim 24

A tool for surgical use in vaporizing artheroschlerotic plaque in animal and human patients comprising: an electromagnetic field focusing insulated conductive metal probe means capable of insertion intravenously, said probe means having an exposed heatable tip means for receiving radio frequency (RF) waves, while said heatable tip means is intravenously positioned adjacent said plaque, to raise the temperature of said heatable tip means sufficient to vaporize said plaque; a ground wire electrically connected to said heatable tip means and adapted to be connected to an electrical ground external of said patient into which said probe means is inserted; and means separate and removed from the probe means for transmitting RF waves toward said patient, said heatable tip means when grounded by said ground wire acting to focus said RF waves to instantaneously raise the temperature of said heatable tip means.

Claim 25

The surgical tool of claim 17 wherein said exposed heatable tip means of said probe means is a stainless steel needle.

Claim 26

The surgical tool of claim 17 including a vacuum tube means adjacent said conductive metal probe means which terminates near said heatable tip means so as to remove vaporized plaque during use of said tool.

Claim 27

A surgical tool of claim 7 wherein said probe means is of size to be insertable intravenously.

Claim 28

The tool of claim 17 wherein said means for transmitting said RF waves includes: (a) a signal generator means for producing an oscillating electrical signal of a pre-selected frequency; (b) an amplifier means connected to said signal generating means for amplifying the oscillating electrical signal; (c) a meter means for monitoring the amplified oscillating electrical signal output; (d) an inductive applicator means, for inducing the electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the tissue to be surgically treated; (e) impedance matching means for adjusting the impedance between said inductive applicator means and said amplified oscillating electrical signal output; and (f) means to select said frequency; and wherein said metal probe means includes in series between each end: (1) a current monitor means for measuring the electrical current induced in the conductive metal probe means during use of said tool, and (2) a tuner circuit means to adjust and optimize the induced electrical current passing through said conductive metal probe means.

Claim 29

The surgical tool of claim 21 wherein said exposed heatable tip means of said conductive metal probe means is a stainless steel needle.

Claim 30

The surgical tool of claim 21 including a vacuum tube means adjacent said conductive metal probe means which terminates near said heatable tip means so as to remove vaporized plaque during use of said tool.

Claim 31

A surgical tool of claim 21 wherein said conductive metal probe means is of size to be insertable intravenously.