US 6,475,215 B1 · Quantum energy surgical device and method

Abstract

A surgical apparatus adapted to emit a plurality of high-energy inert gas atoms, such as argon, in a stream for cutting, cauterizing, or evaporating tissue. The apparatus comprises an inert gas supply, a plasma cell in communication with the inert gas source for imparting energy to the inert gas atoms and defined in part by a positive electrode and a negative electrode, at least one power supply electrically connected between the positive and negative electrodes, and means for directing the energized inert gas atoms at a target. The power supply provides initially an ionization voltage between the negative and positive electrodes to initiate a plasma from the inert gas in the plasma cell, and subsequently a pulsed voltage curve that sustains the plasma at a predetermined energy level. Methods for performing surgical procedures using the surgical apparatus for cutting, cauterizing, and/or evaporating portions of body tissue are also described.

Claims57

Dependent claims

A surgical apparatus adapted to emit a plurality of high-energy inert gas atoms in a stream, the apparatus comprising:

an inert gas source;
a plasma cell in communication with said inert gas source for imparting energy to said inert gas atoms, to create energized inert gas atoms, said plasma cell defined in part by a positive electrode and a negative electrode;
at least one power supply electrically connected to said negative and positive electrodes, said at least one power supply adapted to provide (a) initially an ionization voltage between said negative and positive electrodes to initiate a plasma from said inert gas in said plasma cell, and (b) subsequently a pulsed voltage curve that sustains the plasma at a predetermined energy level;
and
means for directing the energized inert gas atoms at a target.

2 more elements

A method for performing a surgical procedure on living tissue using a surgical apparatus adapted to emit a plurality of high quantum energy inert gas atoms in a stream, the apparatus comprising a hand-piece having therein a plasma cell defined in part by a positive electrode and a negative electrode;

a hand-piece tip comprising a channel in communication with said plasma cell for emission of said inert gas atoms from said tip in said stream;
an inert gas supply connected to said hand-piece;
and at least one power supply electrically connected between the positive electrode and the negative electrode;
the method comprising:
(a) providing inert gas flow into said plasma cell;
(b) initially applying from said power supply an ionization voltage between said negative and positive electrodes, thereby initiating a plasma from said inert gas in said plasma cell;
(c) then applying from said power supply a pulsed voltage curve, thereby sustaining the plasma at a predetermined quantum energy level, said plasma comprising said plurality of high quantum energy inert gas atoms, a plurality of ions, and a plurality of free electrons;
(d) emitting said high quantum energy inert gas atoms from said channel in said tip;
and
(e) using said high quantum energy inert gas atoms to perform a surgical process on said portion of said living tissue.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Quantum energy surgical device and method

Life of this patent

Quantum energy surgical device and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims57