Low power electrode
OwnerJames B. Logan, Phillip J. Bermaninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A monopolar electrode for use with a standard electrosurgical pencil and generator suitable for performing tissue ablation at relatively low power levels. The electrode has an active portion at its distal tip, the active portion being partially or totally covered by a dielectric material to create high power densities sufficient to cause the electrode sparking necessary for tissue ablation. Portions of the electrode other than the active portion are surrounded by an insulating material to enable transmission of electromagnetic energy only through the active portion.
Claims9
An electrode for treating tissue, said electrode for use with an electrosurgical pencil connected to an electrosurgical generator comprising:
- an electrically conductive rod having a distal end and a proximal end with an axis, said proximal end adapted to be connected to said electrosurgical pencil, said distal end terminating in a conducting electrode tip, said electrode tip comprising an active portion for serving as a source of radio frequency electromagnetic energy;
- a first insulating member situated about said rod and a predetermined portion of said electrode tip;
- and
- a second insulating member covering a predetermined portion of said active portion of said electrode tip.
An electrode for treating tissue, said electrode for use with an electrosurgical pencil connected to an electrosurgical generator comprising:
- an electrically conductive rod having a distal end and a proximal end with an axis, said proximal end adapted to be connected to said electrosurgical pencil, said distal end terminating in a conducting electrode tip, said electrode tip comprising an active portion for serving as a source of radio frequency electromagnetic energy;
- an insulating member situated about said rod and a predetermined portion of said electrode tip, said insulating member covering a predetermined portion of said active portion of said electrode tip.
A method of using an electrosurgical electrode to treat tissue comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrosurgical electrode having an active portion thereof from which electromagnetic energy may emanate;
- and
- interposing a dielectric material between said active portion of said electrode and the tissue to be treated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.