US 2008/0287947 A1Published application

RF intervertebral electrosurgical probe

AssigneeElliquence

InventorsAlan G. Ellman, Jon C. Garito

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Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument for spinal procedures comprises an elongated tubular member configured to fit within and be extended down a standard sized cannula. The instrument comprises a proximal end including a handle for the surgeon and supplied with fittings for connection to a source of irrigation fluid and a source of suction. The distal end of the instrument has an active end comprising a slightly-flexible curved wire electrode that extends in the plane of the tubular member. Beyond the wire electrode is an exit port for irrigation fluid, and in front of the electrode is a receiving port for suction. The wire electrode is thus flanked in front by the exiting irrigation fluid and behind by the suction, with the result that fluid flow is drawn by the suction across the wire electrode creating pressure forces that direct removed tissue to the suction entrance and its removal from the surgical site.

Claims10

Dependent claims

An electrosurgical instrument for excising of tissue, comprising:

(a) an elongated handle portion having a longitudinal axis and comprising at a proximate end an electrical connector for receiving electrosurgical RF currents, a fluid fitting for receiving irrigation fluid, and a suction fitting for receiving suction,
(b) a suction conduit on the handle portion and connected at one end to the suction fitting,
(c) an irrigation conduit on the handle portion and connected at one end to the fluid fitting,
(d) the handle portion having at a distal end a bare wire-shaped electrode serving as the active electrode and having a near side closer to the handle portion and a far side further from the handle portion,
(e) means on the handle for connecting the electrical connector to the active electrode,
(f) the suction conduit having at the distal end a suction port positioned adjacent one of the near or far sides of the wire electrode,
(g) the irrigation conduit having at the distal end an irrigation port positioned adjacent the other of the near or far sides of the wire electrode such that fluid exiting from the irrigation port is drawn by the suction force across the wire electrode carrying with it any tissue excised by the electrode.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/803,111Filed 14 May 2007
Published: 20 Nov 2008
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

A61B 18/1482
Probes or electrodes therefor: having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
A61B 2017/00261
Type of minimally invasive operation: discectomy
A61B 2018/144
Electrodes having a specific shape: wire
A61B 2218/002
Having means for irrigation and/or aspiration of substances to and/or from the surgical site: irrigation

Family

US 7,951,146 B2Related patent
US 2008/0287947 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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