US 7,276,063 B2 · Instrument for electrosurgical tissue treatment

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for applying a high frequency voltage in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid to create a relatively low-temperature plasma for ablation of tissue adjacent to, or in contact with, the plasma. In one embodiment, an electrosurgical probe or catheter is positioned adjacent the target site so that one or more active electrode(s) are brought into contact with, or close proximity to, a target tissue in the presence of electrically conductive fluid. High frequency voltage is then applied between the active electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) to non-thermally generate a plasma adjacent to the active electrode(s), and to volumetrically remove or ablate at least a portion of the target tissue. The high frequency voltage generates electric fields around the active electrode(s) with sufficient energy to ionize the conductive fluid adjacent to the active electrode(s). Within the ionized gas or plasma, free electrons are accelerated, and electron-atoms collisions liberate more electrons, and the process cascades until the plasma contains sufficient energy to break apart the tissue molecules, causing molecular dissociation and ablation of the target tissue.

Claims22

Dependent claims

An electrosurgical instrument for applying electrical energy to tissue at a target site, the instrument comprising:

a handle, and an elongate member extending from said handle;
a distal tip section comprising a tissue-contacting surface;
at least one active electrode recessed within the tissue-contacting surface and having a curved configuration;
and
a return electrode spaced from said active electrode wherein said return electrode has an exposed surface area substantially larger than said active electrode so as to have a minimal tissue effect on the tissue
at least one opening within the tissue-contacting surface for venting the target site, said opening extending from the tissue-contacting surface to a second surface, opposite of said tissue-contacting surface, and said opening being in fluid communication with an aspiration lumen extending through said elongate member wherein fluid may pass to said aspiration lumen from said opening of either of said tissue-contacting surface or said second surface.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Instrument for electrosurgical tissue treatment

Life of this patent

Instrument for electrosurgical tissue treatment

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22