Electrosurgical method and apparatus for initiating an electrical discharge in an inert gas flow

Apparatus for establishing an electrical discharge to an object comprising

• a support;
• a source of electrical energy;
• an active electrode supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom;
• a source of inert gas;
• gas flow directing means connected to said source of inert gas for directing the gas past said electrode to thereby facilitate the establishment of a primary electrical discharge to said object in the gas disposed adjacent the end of the electrode and extending outwardly therefrom;
• discharge initiating means for initiating said primary electrical discharge, said discharge initiating means including a second electrode connected to said source of electrical energy and so disposed with respect to said active electrode that a gap is formed therebetween, said gap being adapted for the formation of an auxiliary electrical discharge thereacross to thereby initiate said primary electrical discharge and said gap comprising the only path, at least during the initiation of said auxiliary electrical discharge, for the electrical energy to said active electrode;
• and
• means for returning said electrical energy from said object to said source of electrical energy.

An instrument for producing coagulation of tissue comprising

• a support;
• an active electrode supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom adapted for applying electrical energy to said tissue to effect the coagulation thereof, there being only one electrical path of said electrical energy to said active electrode;
• gas flow directing means adapted for the directing of gas past said electrode to provide gas adjacent the end of said electrode and extending outwardly therefrom;
• and
• discharge initiating means disposed in the proximity of said electrode adapted for the initiation of a primary electrical discharge in said gas formed adjacent the end of the electrode
• both said active electrode and said discharge

An instrument comprising

• a support;
• an active electrode supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom;
• gas flow directing means adapted for the directing of gas past said electrode to provide gas adjacent the end of said electrode and extending outwardly therefrom;
• and
• discharge initiating means disposed in the proximity of said electrode adapted for the initiation of a primary electrical discharge in said gas formed adjacent the end of the electrode, said discharge initiating means including a second electrode so disposed with respect to said active electrode that a gap is formed therebetween, said gap being adapted for the formation of an auxiliary electrical discharge thereacross to thereby initiate said primary electrical discharge and said gap comprising the only path, at least during the initiation of said auxiliary electrical discharge, for the electrical energy to said active electrode.

A method for establishing an electrical discharge with an instrument comprising a support, and an active electrode supported by said support and outwardly extending therefrom, said method comprising the performance of the following steps in any desired order,

• directing inert gas past said active electrode and outwardly therefrom;
• applying electrical energy to said electrode;
• and
• generating an auxiliary electrical discharge at a location removed from the end of said active electrode so that said auxiliary electrical discharge will initiate a primary electrical discharge from said active electrode, said auxiliary electrical discharge being the only path for said electrical energy to said active electrode, at least during the initiation of said auxiliary electrical discharge;
• and
• positioning said active electrode adjacent a body whereby said primary electrical discharge can be initiated without having to bring said active electrode into substantial contact with said body.