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AssigneeArthroCare Corporation
InventorsPhilip Eggers, Hira Thapliyal
Estimating the term…
As electrosurgical prove comprises a shaft having an electrode array (12) at its distal end and a connector at its proximal end. The array (12) includes a plurality of isolated electrode terminals, and an electrosurgical power supply (28) is provided with a multiplicity of independently limited or controlled current sources and a connector. The electrosurgical probe and the power supply may be connected through their respective connectors so that the independent current sources are connected to individual electrode terminals. By applying very high frequency electrical energy to the electrode array, target tissue may be cut or ablated while heat dissipation through low impedance paths, such as blood and normal saline, will be minimized.
1-51. (canceled)
A method for applying energy to a soft tissue at a target site comprising:
The method of claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive liquid has a conductivity of that of isotonic saline.
The method of claim 1 wherein said common electrode is covered with a insulative shield
The method of claim 1 wherein said probe comprises only one electrode terminal.
The method of claim 1 wherein said applying step causes tissue to be removed.
The method of claim 1 wherein further comprising the step of immersing said target site with said electrically conductive liquid.
The method of claim 1 wherein said shaft is an elongate rigid member and said electrode terminal is a protrusion at the distal end section, and wherein said common electrode is axially spaced proximal of the electrode terminal.
The method of claim 7 wherein said common electrode is substantially larger than said electrode terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.