US6416508B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Methods for electrosurgical tissue treatment in conductive fluid
Assignee: Arthrocare Corp
•
Filing: 2000-02-15
•
Granted: 2002-07-09
•
Expires: 2020-02-15
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 00:35
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: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for applying electrical energy to a body structure at a target site on or within a patient's body, the method comprising: positioning an active electrode into at least close proximity with a body structure at the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid positioning a return electrode within the electrically conductive fluid to generate a current flow path between the active and return electrodes; and applying a high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the target site, and to the return electrode, the high frequency voltage difference being in the range of about 500 to 1400 volts peak to peak.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for applying electrical energy to a body structure at a target site on or within a patient's body, the method comprising: positioning an active electrode into at least close proximity with a body structure at the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid positioning a return electrode within the electrically conductive fluid to generate a current flow path between the active and return electrodes; and applying a high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the target site, and to the return electrode, the high frequency voltage difference being in the range of about 500 to 1400 volts peak to peak.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein high frequency voltage is in the range of about 700 to 900 volts peak to peak.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising spacing the return electrode from the body structure such that the return electrode does not contact any portion of the body structure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising vaporizing the electrically conductive fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the active electrode, contacting the body structure with the thin layer and inducing a discharge of energy to the body structure in contact with the thin layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 further comprising ionizing the thin layer of vaporized fluid to form a plasma over at least a portion of the active electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the energy is in the form of energetic electrons.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising generating a voltage gradient between the active electrode and the body structure at the target site, the voltage gradient being sufficient to create an electric field that causes the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the return electrode is spaced a distance of about 0.5 to 10 mm from the body structure during the applying step.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the return electrode is spaced a distance of about 1.0 to 5.0 mm from the body structure during the applying step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising introducing the electrically conductive fluid to the target site such that the active and return electrodes contact the electrically conductive fluid and the electrically conductive fluid completes a conductive path between the active and return electrodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electric current flows substantially through the electrically conductive fluid while minimizing electric current flow passing through the body structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the electric current passes through the body structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the active electrode comprises a single active electrode disposed near the distal end of an instrument shaft.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the active electrode includes an array of electrically isolated active electrodes disposed near the distal end of an instrument shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrically conductive fluid comprises isotonic saline.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising wherein the return electrode is spaced from the active electrode by an electrically insulating member comprising an inorganic material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 16 wherein the inorganic material is selected from the group consisting essentially of ceramic, glass and glass/ceramic compositions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the applying voltage step is carried out by applying power to the active electrode, wherein said power is controlled based on the electrical impedance between the active electrode and the return electrode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising limiting power to the active electrode when the electrical impedance is less than a threshold value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein temperature at the target site is measured by a temperature sensor adjacent to the active electrode and power delivery to the active electrode is limited if the measured temperature exceeds a threshold value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the return electrode has a substantially greater exposed surface area than the active electrode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the return electrode has an exposed surface area at least 5 times greater than an exposed surface area of the active electrode.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for applying electrical energy to a body structure at a target site on or within a patient's body, the method comprising: positioning an active electrode into at least close proximity with a body structure at the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid; positioning a return electrode within the electrically conductive fluid to generate a current flow path between the active and return electrodes; and applying a high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the target site, and to the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to cause the molecular breakdown of tissue cells in the body structure.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for applying electrical energy to a body structure at a target site on or within a patient's body, the method comprising: positioning an active electrode into at least close proximity with a body structure at the target site in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid; positioning a return electrode within the electrically conductive fluid to generate a current flow path between the active and return electrodes; and applying a high frequency voltage difference between the active and return electrodes such that an electrical current flows from the active electrode, through the target site, and to the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to cause the molecular breakdown of tissue cells in the body structure.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the high frequency voltage difference is in the range of about 500 to 1400 volts peak to peak.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the high frequency voltage is in the range of about 700 to 900 volts peak to peak.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising spacing the return electrode from the body structure such that the return electrode does not contact any portion of the body structure.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising vaporizing the electrically conductive fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the active electrode, contacting the body structure with the thin layer and inducing a discharge of energy to the body structure in contact with the thin layer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising ionizing the thin layer of vaporized fluid to form a plasma over at least a portion of the active electrode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27 wherein at least a portion of the energy is in the form of energetic electrons.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising generating a voltage gradient between the active electrode and the body structure at the target site, the voltage gradient being sufficient to create an electric field that causes the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the return electrode is spaced a distance of about 0.5 to 10 mm from the body structure during the applying step.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the return electrode is spaced a distance of about 1.0 to 5.0 mm from the body structure during the applying step.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising introducing the electrically conductive fluid to the target site such that the active and return electrodes contact the electrically conductive fluid and the electrically conductive fluid completes a conductive path between the active and return electrodes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the electric current flows substantially through the electrically conductive fluid while minimizing electric current flow passing through the body structure.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23 wherein at least a portion of the electric current passes through the body structure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the active electrode comprises a single active electrode disposed near the distal end of an instrument shaft.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the active electrode includes an array of electrically isolated active electrodes disposed near the distal end of an instrument shaft.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the electrically conductive fluid comprises isotonic saline.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 23 further comprising wherein the return electrode is spaced from the active electrode by an electrically insulating member comprising an inorganic material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the inorganic material is selected from the group consisting essentially of ceramic, glass and glass/ceramic compositions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the applying voltage step is carried out by applying power to the active electrode, wherein said power is controlled based on the electrical impedance between the active electrode and the return electrode.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 41 further comprising limiting power to the active electrode when the electrical impedance is less than a threshold value.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 23 wherein temperature at the target site is measured by a temperature sensor adjacent to the active electrode and power delivery to the active electrode is limited if the measured temperature exceeds a threshold value.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the return electrode has a substantially greater exposed surface area than the active electrode.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the return electrode has an exposed surface area at least 5 times greater than an exposed surface area 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) | 2005-07-08 | 2006-01-07 | 2006-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-08 | 2010-01-07 | 2010-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-08 | 2014-01-07 | 2014-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |