Monopolar tissue ablator
AssigneeLinvatec Corporation
InventorsHugh S. West, Jr., Robert A. Van Wyk
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 a cylindrical rim at its distal tip, the exposed conductive area of the cylindrical rim being minimized to create high powered densities sufficient for tissue ablation. The distal end of the electrode is surrounded by a ceramic insulating sleeve and an annular insulating gap is interposed between the electrode and the ceramic sleeve. A tubular polymeric insulating sleeve is applied to the outer surface of the electrode and to the outer surface of the proximal end of the ceramic sleeve.
Claims9
A monopolar electrode for use with an electrosurgical pencil connected to an electrosurgical generator, said electrode comprising:
- a single electrically conductive electrode 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 annular rim;
- a first insulating tubular sleeve coaxially situated about said rod at said distal end;
- and
- a polymeric second insulating tubular sleeve coaxially situated about a predetermined proximal portion of said first insulating sleeve and said electrode rod.
A monopolar electrode for use with an electrosurgical pencil connected to an electrosurgical generator, said electrode comprising:
- an electrically conductive electrode 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 annular rim;
- a first insulating tubular sleeve coaxially situated about said rod at said distal end;
- a polymeric second insulating tubular sleeve coaxially situated about a predetermined proximal portion of said first insulating sleeve and said electrode rod;
- and
- an annular insulation gap interposed between said distal end of said electrode rod and said first insulating sleeve, said gap having a predetermined axial length.
A method of performing monopolar tissue ablation on a patient prepared for a monopolar surgical procedure comprising the steps of:
- providing a monopolar electrode for use with an electrosurgical pencil connected to an electrosurgical generator comprising:
- an electrically conductive electrode 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 annular rim;
- a first insulating tubular sleeve coaxially situated about said rod at said distal end;
- an annular insulation gap interposed between said distal end of said electrode rod and said first insulating sleeve, said gap having a predetermined axial length;
- and
- a polymeric second insulating tubular sleeve coaxially situated about a predetermined proximal portion of said first insulating sleeve and said electrode rod;
- and
- connecting said monopolar electrode to an electrosurgical generator and applying to said electrode an energy waveform having a power level of less than 100 watts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.