US5871469A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation
Assignee: Arthrocare Corp
•
Filing: 1997-02-05
•
Granted: 1999-02-16
•
Expires: 2017-02-05
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical probe (10) comprises a shaft (13) having an electrode array (58) at its distal end and a connector (19) at its proximal end for coupling the electrode array to a high frequency power supply (28). The shaft includes a return electrode (56) recessed from its distal end and enclosed within an insulating jacket (18). The return electrode defines an inner passage (83) electrically connected to both the return electrode and the electrode array for passage of an electrically conducting liquid (50). By applying high frequency voltage to the electrode array and the return electrode, the electrically conducting liquid generates a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode array so that target tissue may be cut or ablated. The probe is particularly useful in dry environments, such as the mouth or abdominal cavity, because the electrically conducting liquid provides the necessary return current path between the active and return electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Eggers
- 👤 Hira V. Thapliyal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:14
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B18/1206; A61B18/1402; A61B18/148; A61B18/1482; A61B18/1485; A61B18/149; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61B18/042; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00092; A61B2017/00097; A61B2017/00101; A61B2017/00106; 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; A61B2018/00452; A61B2018/0047; A61B2018/00476; A61B2018/00505; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00583; A61B2018/00601; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/0066; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00726; A61B2018/00738; A61B2018/00755; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/00982; A61B2018/1213; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1273; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B2018/1467; A61B2018/1472; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162; A61B2018/165; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/007; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2493; A61F2/95; A61M25/0147; A61M25/0158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 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, an active electrode disposed near the distal end, and a connector near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the active electrode to the electrosurgical power supply; and a return electrode adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrosurgical power supply; wherein the active and return electrodes are configured, upon the application of a sufficiently high frequency voltage therebetween, to vaporize the fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the active electrode and induce the discharge of energy from the vapor layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 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, an active electrode disposed near the distal end, and a connector near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the active electrode to the electrosurgical power supply; and a return electrode adapted to be electrically coupled to the electrosurgical power supply; wherein the active and return electrodes are configured, upon the application of a sufficiently high frequency voltage therebetween, to vaporize the fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the active electrode and induce the discharge of energy from the vapor layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the energy induced from the thin layer of vaporized liquid is in the form of energetic electrons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the energy induced from the thin layer of vaporized fluid is in the form of photons having a wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the return electrode defines a fluid path in electrical contact with the return electrode and the active electrode, the fluid path having an inlet adapted to be fluidly coupled to the electrically conductive fluid supply for generating a current flow path between the return electrode and the active electrode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the active electrode comprises an electrode array including a plurality of isolated electrode terminals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the isolated electrode terminals each have a contact area below 15 mm 2 .
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the electrode surface includes at least two electrode terminals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the electrode surface comprises between 4 and 50 electrode terminals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the electrode terminals are spaced from each other a distance of 0.01 to 5 mm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the electrode array is disposed over a distal tip of an electrosurgical probe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 10 wherein the distal tip of the probe includes an insulating matrix between the electrode terminals, the insulating matrix comprising a material having a relatively low thermal conductivity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the electrode terminals comprises a material with a relatively low thermal conductivity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 12 wherein the electrode materials comprises a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, tungsten, platinum, aluminum and tantalum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the electrode terminals extend a distance of 0.0 to 5 mm from an electrically insulating matrix on the distal tip of the probe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the electrode terminals are substantially flush with an electrically insulating matrix on the distal tip of the probe.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 5 wherein the electrode terminals are proximally recessed a distance of 0.0 to 5 mm from an electrically insulating matrix on the distal tip of the probe.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the high frequency voltage is at least 300 volts peak to peak.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the voltage is in the range from 600 to 1400 volts peak to peak.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically conducting fluid has a conductivity greater than 2 mS/cm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive fluid comprises isotonic saline.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
180 words
An electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid, the probe comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode terminal having a tissue treatment portion disposed at or near the distal end of the shaft; a return electrode coupled to the shaft and having an exposed fluid contact surface; and at least one connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to a high frequency voltage source; and wherein the return electrode is spaced from the electrode terminal, and the return electrode and electrode terminal are configured such that, when the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal is brought adjacent a tissue structure in contact with electrically conductive fluid, and high frequency electrical energy is applied to the electrode terminal, the high frequency electrical energy is sufficient to effect the molecular breakdown of the tissue structure and to convert solid tissue cells at the target site directly into gaseous products of ablation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
180 words
An electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid, the probe comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode terminal having a tissue treatment portion disposed at or near the distal end of the shaft; a return electrode coupled to the shaft and having an exposed fluid contact surface; and at least one connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to a high frequency voltage source; and wherein the return electrode is spaced from the electrode terminal, and the return electrode and electrode terminal are configured such that, when the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal is brought adjacent a tissue structure in contact with electrically conductive fluid, and high frequency electrical energy is applied to the electrode terminal, the high frequency electrical energy is sufficient to effect the molecular breakdown of the tissue structure and to convert solid tissue cells at the target site directly into gaseous products of ablation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The probe of claim 21 wherein the gaseous products of ablation comprise non-condensible gases.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The probe of claim 21 wherein the return electrode is spaced about 0.5 to 25 mm from the electrode terminal in a direction away from the tissue structure when the electrode terminal is brought adjacent a tissue structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The probe of claim 21 further comprising a power limiting element coupled to the electrode terminal for limiting power to the electrode terminal based on the electrical impedance between the electrode terminal and the return electrode.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The probe of claim 21 wherein the high frequency electrical energy is sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the electrically conducting fluid at the target site.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probe of claim 21 wherein the electrode terminal extends a distance of less than about 2.0 mm from the shaft.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
192 words
An electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid, the probe comprising: a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end with a distal tip; at least one electrode having a tissue treatment portion disposed at or near the distal end of the shaft; a return electrode on the shaft and having an exposed fluid contact surface spaced from the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal; and at least one connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to a high frequency voltage source; wherein the return electrode is spaced from the electrode terminal, and the return electrode and electrode terminal are configured such that, when the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal is brought adjacent a tissue structure in contact with electrically conductive fluid, and high frequency electrical energy is applied to the electrode terminal, electric fields are established between the electrode terminal and the tissue structure at the target site, the electric fields being sufficient to cause the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
192 words
An electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid, the probe comprising: a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end with a distal tip; at least one electrode having a tissue treatment portion disposed at or near the distal end of the shaft; a return electrode on the shaft and having an exposed fluid contact surface spaced from the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal; and at least one connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to a high frequency voltage source; wherein the return electrode is spaced from the electrode terminal, and the return electrode and electrode terminal are configured such that, when the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal is brought adjacent a tissue structure in contact with electrically conductive fluid, and high frequency electrical energy is applied to the electrode terminal, electric fields are established between the electrode terminal and the tissue structure at the target site, the electric fields being sufficient to cause the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The probe of claim 27 wherein the electric fields are substantially confined to an area immediately surrounding the electrode terminal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The probe of claim 27 wherein the return electrode is spaced about 0.5 to 25 mm from the electrode terminal in a direction away from the tissue structure when the electrode terminal is brought adjacent a tissue structure.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The probe of claim 27 wherein the electric fields are sufficient to convert solid tissue cells at the target site directly into non-condensible gases.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The probe of claim 27 wherein the electric fields are sufficient to vaporize at least a portion of the electrically conducting fluid at the target site.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The probe of claim 27 wherein the electrode terminal extends a distance of less than about 2.0 mm from the shaft.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
40 words
The probe of claim 27 further comprising means, coupled to the shaft, for applying high frequency voltage in the range of about 300 to 1400 volts peak to peak to the target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The probe of claim 27 further comprising a power limiting element coupled to the electrode terminal for limiting power to the electrode terminal based on the electrical impedance between the electrode terminal and the return electrode.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site, the probe comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; means, coupled to the shaft, for applying high frequency voltage to the target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid such that at least a portion of the electrically conducting fluid is vaporized.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site, the probe comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; means, coupled to the shaft, for applying high frequency voltage to the target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid such that at least a portion of the electrically conducting fluid is vaporized.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
The probe of claim 35 further comprising means, coupled to the shaft, for applying high frequency voltage in the range of about 300 to 1400 volts peak to peak to the target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
41 words
The probe of claim 35 further comprising means, coupled to the shaft, for applying a sufficient high frequency voltage to the target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid to cause the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site, the probe comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; means, coupled to the shaft, for applying a sufficient high frequency voltage to the target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid to cause the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
64 words
An electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site, the probe comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; means, coupled to the shaft, for applying a sufficient high frequency voltage to the target site in the presence of electrically conducting fluid to cause the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
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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) | 2002-02-15 | 2002-08-17 | 2003-02-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-15 | 2006-08-17 | 2007-02-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-15 | 2010-08-17 | 2011-02-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |