US6086584A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cellular sublimation probe and methods
Assignee: Ethicon Inc
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Filing: 1998-09-10
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Granted: 2000-07-11
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Expires: 2018-09-10
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides exemplary electrosurgical probes and methods for their use. In one exemplary embodiment, an electrosurgical probe comprises a probe body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen. An electrode assembly is operably coupled to the distal end. The electrode assembly includes an electrode and a jacket disposed to cover at least a portion of the electrode. The jacket and the electrode have a combined mass sufficient to dissipate heat during operation of the electrode so that the electrode does not experience material degradation. Further, the jacket provides insulation between the electrode and a conductive medium such that the electrode is operable in the conductive medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary H. Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An electrosurgical probe comprising: a probe body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen; and an electrode assembly operably coupled to the distal end, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode constructed of a metal or metal alloy and a jacket constructed of a ceramic disposed to cover at least a portion of the electrode, wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass that is greater than about 0.04 gram to dissipate heat produced during operation of the electrode so that the electrode does not experience material degradation, and wherein the jacket provides insulation between the electrode and a conductive medium such that the electrode is operable in the conductive medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electrosurgical probe comprising: a probe body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one lumen; and an electrode assembly operably coupled to the distal end, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode constructed of a metal or metal alloy and a jacket constructed of a ceramic disposed to cover at least a portion of the electrode, wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass that is greater than about 0.04 gram to dissipate heat produced during operation of the electrode so that the electrode does not experience material degradation, and wherein the jacket provides insulation between the electrode and a conductive medium such that the electrode is operable in the conductive medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A probe as in claim 1, wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass that is in the range from about 0.1 gram to about 0.2 gram.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A probe as in claim 1, wherein the electrode has an exposed surface area in the range from about 0.007 in 2 to about 0.125 in 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A probe as in claim 1, wherein the probe body includes a working lumen, a fluid inflow lumen, and a fluid outflow lumen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A probe as in claim 4, wherein the working lumen is adapted to receive an imaging scope.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
A probe as in claim 4, wherein the probe body has an outer diameter in the range from about 0.07 inch to about 0.3 inch, and wherein the working lumen has a diameter in the range from about 0.03 inch to about 0.16 inch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
A probe as in claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is coupled to the distal end with a fixed mount such that the position of the electrode assembly relative to the probe body is fixed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A probe as in claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly is coupled to the distal end with a movable mount such that the electrode assembly is movable relative to the probe body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
An electrosurgical system comprising: a probe body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one working lumen; an electrode assembly operably coupled to the distal end, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode and a jacket disposed to cover at least a portion of the electrode, wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass sufficient to dissipate heat produced during operation of the electrode so that the electrode does not experience material degradation, and wherein the jacket provides insulation between the electrode and a conductive medium such that the electrode is operable in the conductive medium; and an imaging scope receivable in the working lumen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
109 words
An electrosurgical system comprising: a probe body having a proximal end, a distal end and at least one working lumen; an electrode assembly operably coupled to the distal end, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode and a jacket disposed to cover at least a portion of the electrode, wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass sufficient to dissipate heat produced during operation of the electrode so that the electrode does not experience material degradation, and wherein the jacket provides insulation between the electrode and a conductive medium such that the electrode is operable in the conductive medium; and an imaging scope receivable in the working lumen.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 9, further comprising an electrosurgical unit to supply current to the electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as in claim 9, wherein the probe body includes a fluid inflow lumen and a fluid outflow lumen.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 11, further comprising a source of conductive fluid which is connectable to the fluid inflow lumen and a vacuum source connectable to the fluid outflow lumen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as in claim 9, wherein the electrode is constructed of a metal or metal alloy, and wherein the jacket is constructed of a ceramic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 13, wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass that is greater than about 0.04 gram.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 14, wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass that is in the range from about 0.1 gram to about 0.2 gram.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as in claim 9, wherein the electrode has an exposed surface area in the range from about 0.007 in 2 to about 0.125 in 2 .
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system as in claim 9, wherein the probe body has an outer diameter in the range from about 0.07 inch to about 0.3 inch, and wherein the working lumen has a diameter in the range from about 0.03 inch to about 0.16 inch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as in claim 9, wherein the electrode assembly is coupled to the distal end with a fixed mount such that the position of the electrode assembly relative to the probe body is fixed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as in claim 9, wherein the electrode assembly is coupled to the distal end with a movable mount such that the electrode assembly is movable relative to the probe body.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for electrosurgically treating tissue, the method comprising: providing an electrosurgical probe comprising a probe body having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one lumen, and an electrode assembly operably coupled to the distal end, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode and a jacket disposed to cover at least a portion of the electrode; introducing the probe into a body cavity; introducing a conductive medium into the cavity through the lumen; introducing an imaging scope into the lumen and visualizing the positioning of the electrode with the imaging scope; supplying current to the electrode; and positioning the electrode near or against tissue to treat the tissue, wherein the jacket provides insulation between the electrode and the conductive medium, and wherein heat produced during treatment of the tissue is dissipated by the jacket and the electrode to prevent the electrode from materially degrading.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
145 words
A method for electrosurgically treating tissue, the method comprising: providing an electrosurgical probe comprising a probe body having a proximal end, a distal end, at least one lumen, and an electrode assembly operably coupled to the distal end, the electrode assembly comprising an electrode and a jacket disposed to cover at least a portion of the electrode; introducing the probe into a body cavity; introducing a conductive medium into the cavity through the lumen; introducing an imaging scope into the lumen and visualizing the positioning of the electrode with the imaging scope; supplying current to the electrode; and positioning the electrode near or against tissue to treat the tissue, wherein the jacket provides insulation between the electrode and the conductive medium, and wherein heat produced during treatment of the tissue is dissipated by the jacket and the electrode to prevent the electrode from materially degrading.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 20, further comprising operating the electrode at a power setting in the range from about 40 Watts to about 400 Watts to vaporize the tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as in claim 20, wherein the probe body includes an aspiration lumen, and further comprising withdrawing the conductive medium from the body cavity through the aspiration lumen.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as in claim 20, wherein the electrode assembly is pivotally coupled to the distal end, and further comprising moving the electrode along tissue, with the electrode assembly pivoting to accommodate the shape of the tissue.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as in claim 20, wherein the electrode is constructed of a metal or metal alloy, wherein the jacket is constructed of a ceramic, and wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass that is greater than about 0.04 gram to dissipate the heat.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 24, wherein the jacket and the electrode have a combined mass that is in the range from about 0.1 gram to about 0.2 gram to dissipate the heat.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-11 | 2004-01-10 | 2004-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-11 | 2008-01-10 | 2008-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-11 | 2012-01-10 | 2012-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |