US6168593B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrode for electrosurgical coagulation of tissue
Assignee: Oratec Interventions Inc
•
Filing: 1998-02-12
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Granted: 2001-01-02
•
Expires: 2018-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical electrode, comprising a metal conductor having a first external surface area and having a convex body, a flat face on the body, and a connector for attaching the body to an electrosurgical probe handle, and an insulating layer covering the first external surface of the metal conductor except at a selected second area of one of the convex body and the flat face, the second area being positioned on the metal conductor so that a line from a geometric center of the second area and substantially perpendicular to the second area intersects at an angle an axis formed by a probe handle and the metal conductor upon attachment of a probe handle to the connector, wherein the second area does not intersect the axis along the probe handle. Also disclosed are methods of manufacture and similar off-axis electrodes useful in endoscopic electrosurgery.
Inventors
- 👤 Hugh R. Sharkey
- 👤 Gary S. Fanton
- 👤 Ramiro L. Reyes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:38
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/148; A61B18/1485; A61B18/1492; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/02; A61N1/04; A61N1/06; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/00654; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/1472; A61N1/40; A61N1/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
An electrosurgical electrode, comprising: a metal conductor having a first external surface area and having a convex body, a flat face on said body, and a connector for attaching said body to an electrosurgical probe handle, and an insulating layer covering said first external surface of said metal conductor except at a selected second area of one of said convex body and said flat face, said second area being positioned on said metal conductor so that a line from a geometric center of said second area and substantially perpendicular to said second area intersects at an angle an axis formed by a probe handle and said metal conductor upon attachment of a probe handle to said connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
An electrosurgical electrode, comprising: a metal conductor having a first external surface area and having a convex body, a flat face on said body, and a connector for attaching said body to an electrosurgical probe handle, and an insulating layer covering said first external surface of said metal conductor except at a selected second area of one of said convex body and said flat face, said second area being positioned on said metal conductor so that a line from a geometric center of said second area and substantially perpendicular to said second area intersects at an angle an axis formed by a probe handle and said metal conductor upon attachment of a probe handle to said connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said metal conductor is biocompatible.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said metal conductor is chosen from a group of metals consisting of: stainless steel, gold, silver, and platinum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said convex body is substantially spherical except at said flat face and at said connector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said second area has an area of from 0.005 to 0.150 square inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said second area has an area of from 0.010 to 0.080 square inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said second area has an area of from 0.015 to 0.020 square inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said second area is less than 30% of said first area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said angle is greater than 60°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said angle is greater than 80°.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrode of claim 4 , wherein the spherical portion of said convex body has a radius of from 0.010 to 0.25 inch.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrode of claim 4 , wherein the spherical portion of said convex body has a radius of from 0.040 to 0.060 inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said body has a hollow interior.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The electrode of claim 1 , wherein said first external surface area includes only surfaces of said convex body and said flat face.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrosurgical probe, comprising: a handle, an elongated probe neck connected to said handle and having a terminus distal to said handle, and the electrode of claim 1 located at the terminus of said elongated probe neck.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
105 words
An electrosurgical system, comprising: an electrical power supply, a first electrode adapted to contact and electrically ground a living body, said first electrode being electrically connected to said power supply, and an electrosurgical probe, said probe comprising: a handle, an elongated probe neck connected to said handle and having a terminus at a distal end from said handle, and a second electrode, said second electrode being the electrode of claim 1 and being located at the terminus of said elongated probe neck, said probe being adapted to contact said body and complete an electrical circuit, said second electrode being electrically connected to said power supply.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein said power supply is a supply of radio frequency energy.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 16 , wherein said power supply is operably connected to a temperature-sensitive feedback monitor located in said probe.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for manufacturing an off-axis ablation device, comprising: preparing a metal conductor having a first external surface area and having a first body shape and a connector for attaching said body to an electrosurgical probe handle, applying an insulating layer to cover all of said first external surface of said metal conductor, removing a portion of said insulating layer at a selected second area of body shape, said second area being positioned on said metal conductor so that a line from a geometric center of said second area and substantially perpendicular to said second area intersects an axis at an angle, said axis being formed by a probe handle and said metal conductor upon attachment of a probe handle to said connector.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for manufacturing an off-axis ablation device, comprising: preparing a metal conductor having a first external surface area and having a first body shape and a connector for attaching said body to an electrosurgical probe handle, applying an insulating layer to cover all of said first external surface of said metal conductor, removing a portion of said insulating layer at a selected second area of body shape, said second area being positioned on said metal conductor so that a line from a geometric center of said second area and substantially perpendicular to said second area intersects an axis at an angle, said axis being formed by a probe handle and said metal conductor upon attachment of a probe handle to said connector.
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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) | 2004-01-02 | 2004-07-03 | 2005-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-02 | 2008-07-03 | 2009-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-02 | 2012-07-03 | 2013-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |