Supercavitating medical probe and method of use
OwnerJohn H. Shadduckinventor
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Abstract
An electrosurgical working end that utilizes supercavitation phenomenon for controlled application of electrosurgical energy to tissue. In one preferred method of the invention, the system utilizes an electrosurgical surface that is rotatable in a liquid substance at very high surface velocities capable of localized lowering of the pressure of the substance below its saturated vapor pressure to cause supercavitation, and contemporaneously applying electrical energy from the electrosurgical surface across the cavity to ablate adjacent tissue. The system creates supercavitation with surface velocities of greater than about 70 m/sec in a liquid substance by means of high speed rotation and optionally ultrasound actuation.
Claims8
An electrosurgical method for applying energy to tissue comprising:
- (a) immersing an electrosurgical surface in a liquid substance;
- (b) oscillating the electrosurgical surface at a rate of motion to lower pressure of the substance below the saturated vapor pressure thereof to create a cavity;
- and
- (c) applying the energy from the electrosurgical surface across the cavity in close proximity to the tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.