US5843019A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shaped electrodes and methods for electrosurgical cutting and ablation
Assignee: Arthrocare Corp
•
Filing: 1996-07-18
•
Granted: 1998-12-01
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Expires: 2016-07-18
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical system and method allow the surgical team to perform electrosurgical interventions, such as ablation and cutting of body structures, while limiting the depth of necrosis and limiting damage to tissue adjacent the treatment site. The system includes an electrosurgical probe having a shaft with a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one active electrode at or near the distal end. The active electrode includes at least one active portion having a surface geometry configured to promote substantially high electric field intensities and associated current densities between the active portion and the target site when a high frequency voltage is applied to the electrodes. These high electric field intensities and current densities are sufficient to break down the tissue by processes including molecular dissociation or disintegration. The high frequency voltage imparts energy to the target site to ablate a thin layer of tissue without causing substantial tissue necrosis beyond the boundary of the thin layer of tissue ablated. This ablative process can be precisely controlled to effect the volumetric removal of tissue as thin as a few layers of cells with minimal heating of or damage to surrounding or underlying tissue structures.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Eggers
- 👤 Hira V. Thapliyal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:17
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61B18/148; A61B18/1482; A61B18/1485; A61B18/149; A61B18/1492; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2493; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00092; A61B2017/00097; A61B2017/00101; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00247; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22001; A61B2017/22038; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00119; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00172; A61B2018/00178; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00196; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00321; A61B2018/00327; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392; A61B2018/00505; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00583; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/0066; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00726; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/1213; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1273; A61B2018/1467; A61B2018/1472; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162; A61B2018/165; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61M25/0147; A61M25/0158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An electrosurgical instrument for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient's body, the instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; one or more active electrodes disposed near the distal end of the shaft, the active electrodes each having an active portion with a surface geometry configured to promote substantially high electric field intensities between the active portion and the target site when a high frequency voltage is applied to the electrodes, wherein the electric field intensities are sufficient to vaporize an electrically conducting liquid in contact with at least the active portion of the active electrodes; and a connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrodes to a high frequency voltage source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electrosurgical instrument for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient's body, the instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; one or more active electrodes disposed near the distal end of the shaft, the active electrodes each having an active portion with a surface geometry configured to promote substantially high electric field intensities between the active portion and the target site when a high frequency voltage is applied to the electrodes, wherein the electric field intensities are sufficient to vaporize an electrically conducting liquid in contact with at least the active portion of the active electrodes; and a connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrodes to a high frequency voltage source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein active portion of each electrode comprises one or more sharp edges at the distal end portion for promoting localized electric fields around the edges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the active portion of each electrode comprises surface asperities for promoting localized electric fields near the surface asperities.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a return electrode positioned near the active electrodes and electrically coupled to the connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The instrument of claim 4 further comprising a liquid path in communication with the return electrode and the target site for directing electrically conducting liquid between the active electrodes and the return electrode to generate a current flow path between the target site and the return electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the active portion of each electrode comprises an elongate body defining a non-circular cross-sectional shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the active portion of each electrode comprises an elongate body defining a cross-sectional shape selected from a group consisting essentially of annular, square, rectangular, L-shaped, V-shaped, D-shaped, C-shaped, star-shaped and crossed-shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the electrodes are fabricated by drawing round wire through a shaping die.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the electrodes are fabricated by removing material from round, solid electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the electrodes each comprise an elongate body having transverse grooves formed therein for promoting localized electric fields around the grooves.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the electrodes each comprise an elongate, threaded rod having circumferential grooves formed therein for promoting localized electric fields around the grooves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the distal end of the shaft comprises a cylindrical support member, wherein the electrodes annular electrodes each having an inner hole for receiving the support member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The instrument of claim 12 wherein the annular electrodes have tapered side walls whose thickness is larger at support member to define grooves between adjacent annular electrodes for promoting localized electric fields around the perimeter of the electrodes, the annular electrodes being in electrical contact with each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 12 wherein the annular electrodes are longitudinally spaced from each other along the support member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The instrument of claim 12 further comprising electrically insulating spacers each having a hole for receiving the support member and being positioned between the annular electrodes to electrically insulate the annular electrodes from each other.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 4 wherein the surface asperities are formed by a chemical etchant.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The instrument of claim 4 wherein the surface asperities are formed by an abradable material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The instrument of claim 1 wherein the electrodes each define a non-active portion, the instrument further comprising an electrically insulating material covering the non-active portion of each electrode to preferentially direct electrical current through the active portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electrosurgical instrument for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient's body, the instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; at least one electrode disposed near the distal end of the shaft, the electrode having an exposed section with one or more active portions and one or more non-active portions; an electrically insulating material covering the non-active portions of the electrode to insulate the non-active portions from the target site and preferentially direct electrical current through the active portions; and a connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode to a high frequency voltage source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
114 words
An electrosurgical instrument for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient's body, the instrument comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; at least one electrode disposed near the distal end of the shaft, the electrode having an exposed section with one or more active portions and one or more non-active portions; an electrically insulating material covering the non-active portions of the electrode to insulate the non-active portions from the target site and preferentially direct electrical current through the active portions; and a connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode to a high frequency voltage source.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein the electrically insulating material comprises a plasma deposited coating on a surface of the non-active portions of the electrodes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein the electrically insulating material comprises a thin-film deposition of insulating material on a surface of the non-active portions of the electrodes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein the electrically insulating material comprises a dip coating of insulating material on a surface of the non-active portions of the electrodes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein the nonactive portions of the electrode are mounted to an electrically insulating support member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
The instrument of claim 23 wherein the support member comprises an elongate support member having one or more longitudinal grooves formed in a surface of the support member, the instrument includes a plurality of electrodes mounted to the support member such that the non-active portions contact the surface within the grooves to insulate the non-active portions from the target site.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The instrument of claim 19 further comprising a plurality of discrete, electrically insulating members mounted to the non-active portions of the electrode such that the non-active portions are insulated from the target site.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
The instrument of claim 19 wherein the active portions of the electrode have surface geometries configured to promote substantially high electric field intensities between the active portions and the target site when a high frequency voltage is applied to the electrodes.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electrosurgical system for use with a high frequency power supply and an electrically conducting fluid supply, the system comprising: an electrosurgical probe comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, one or more active electrodes disposed near the distal end, and a connector near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the active electrodes to the electrosurgical power supply, the active electrodes each having an active portion with a surface geometry configured to promote substantially high electric field intensities between the active portion and the target site when a high frequency voltage is applied to the electrodes, wherein the electric field intensities are sufficient to vaporize an electrically conducting liquid in contact with at least the active portion of the active electrodes; and a return electrode adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrosurgical power supply.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electrosurgical system for use with a high frequency power supply and an electrically conducting fluid supply, the system comprising: an electrosurgical probe comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, one or more active electrodes disposed near the distal end, and a connector near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the active electrodes to the electrosurgical power supply, the active electrodes each having an active portion with a surface geometry configured to promote substantially high electric field intensities between the active portion and the target site when a high frequency voltage is applied to the electrodes, wherein the electric field intensities are sufficient to vaporize an electrically conducting liquid in contact with at least the active portion of the active electrodes; and a return electrode adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrosurgical power supply.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
48 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the electrosurgical probe defines a liquid path from the electrically conducting liquid supply, the liquid path being in electrical contact with and between the return electrode and the active electrodes for generating a current flow path between the return and active electrodes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the active portion of each electrode comprising one or more sharp edges for promoting localized electric fields around the edges.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the active portion of each electrode has surface asperities for promoting localized electric fields near the surface asperities.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the active electrodes further comprise a non-active portion insulated from the target site to preferentially direct electrical current through the active portion.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient's body, the method comprising: positioning an active portion of one or more active electrodes into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid; applying high frequency voltage to the active electrodes and a return electrode such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the body structure in the region of the target site, and to the return electrode; and generating substantially high, localized electric field intensities between the active portion of each active electrode and the target site.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient's body, the method comprising: positioning an active portion of one or more active electrodes into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid; applying high frequency voltage to the active electrodes and a return electrode such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the body structure in the region of the target site, and to the return electrode; and generating substantially high, localized electric field intensities between the active portion of each active electrode and the target site.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising locating the active electrodes within an electrically conducting liquid, wherein the electric field intensities are sufficient to vaporize the electrically conducting liquid in a thin layer over at least the active portion of the active electrodes and to induce the discharge of energy from the vapor layer.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
The instrument of claim 32 further comprising generating localized electric fields and associated current densities around one or more edges of the active portion of each electrode.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising positioning the return electrode within an electrically conducting liquid to generate a current flow path between the target site and the return electrode.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the generating step is carried out by creating surface asperities on the active portion of the active electrodes to promote localized electric fields near the surface asperities.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 36 further comprising forming the active portion of each electrode from an elongate body having a non-circular, transverse cross-sectional shape.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the cross-sectional shape of each elongate electrode body is selected from a group consisting essentially of annular, square, rectangular, L-shaped, V-shaped, D-shaped, C-shaped, star-shaped and crossed-shaped.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising forming the electrodes by drawing round wire through a shaping die.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The instrument of claim 32 further comprising forming the electrodes by removing material from round, solid wires.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising forming transverse grooves into the active electrodes to promote localized high electric field intensities around the grooves.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising forming circumferential grooves around elongate, threaded rods to promote localized high electric field intensities around the grooves.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the surface asperities are formed by a chemical etchant.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the surface asperities are formed by an abradable material.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 32 further comprising insulating a non-active portion of the active electrodes to preferentially direct electrical current through the active portion.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising depositing a plasma deposited coating on a surface of the non-active portion of each active electrodes.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising depositing a thin film of insulating material on a surface of the non-active portion of each active electrodes.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising dip coating insulating material on a surface of the non-active portion of each active electrodes.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 45 further comprising mounting the non-active portion of each active electrode to an electrically insulating support member.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient's body, the method comprising: positioning an active portion of one or more active electrodes into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; applying high frequency voltage to the active electrode and a return electrode such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode to the return electrode; and generating electric field intensities between the active portion of each active electrode and the target site, the electric field intensities being sufficient to vaporize the fluid in contact with a portion of the active electrode.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on a structure within or on a patient's body, the method comprising: positioning an active portion of one or more active electrodes into at least close proximity with the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; applying high frequency voltage to the active electrode and a return electrode such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode to the return electrode; and generating electric field intensities between the active portion of each active electrode and the target site, the electric field intensities being sufficient to vaporize the fluid in contact with a portion of the active electrode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-30 | 2002-06-01 | 2002-12-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-30 | 2006-06-01 | 2006-12-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-30 | 2010-06-01 | 2010-12-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |