# US 7,611,509 B2 · Electrosurgical device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,509 B2 - Document ID: US7611509B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/133,904 - Filed: 2005-05-21 - Published: 2006-12-28 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2005-05-21 - Assignees: ElectroMedical Associates, LLC - Inventors: Robert A. Van Wyk - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611509B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1485: {having a short rigid shaft for accessing the inner body through natural openings} - A61B 2018/1472: {for use with liquid electrolyte, e.g. virtual electrodes} - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - A61B 2218/007: Aspiration - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An electrosurgical electrode capable of vaporization, coagulation, desiccation or cutting of tissue is disclosed. The probe has a first portion configured for tissue vaporization, and a second portion configured for tissue desiccation or coagulation. Simultaneous vaporization and desiccation may be achieved, the balance between the effects being controlled by the orientation and motions of the electrode. The electrode may have irrigation and aspiration means. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A monopolar electrosurgical probe comprising a handle having a proximal end and a distal end; an insulated elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of said elongated member is affixed to the distal end of said handle; a single conductive electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said proximal end is assembled directly to the distal end of said elongated member; said conductive electrode comprising first and second conductive surfaces that intersect to form a distal edge having an included angle ranging between 20 and 110 degrees, said first conductive surface having a distal portion in which are formed a plurality of protuberances that create regions of high current density for high efficiency vaporization of tissue and said second conductive surface having a smooth convex contour adapted for coagulating tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1 wherein said included angle ranges between 30 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, wherein said edge has a linear portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, wherein said edge is curvilinear. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The probe of claim 3, wherein said linear portion of said edge forms an angle with the axis of said elongated member between 30 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The probe of claim 5, wherein said linear portion of said edge forms an angle with the axis of said elongated member between 45 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, wherein said conductive electrode is formed of a monolithic homogeneous metallic material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, further comprising an irrigation means for conducting fluid from an external source to the surgical site. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The probe of claim 8, wherein said irrigation means comprises at least one irrigation port in an exterior surface of said electrode. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, further comprising a means for aspirating fluid and debris from the surgical site. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The probe of claim 10, wherein said means comprises at least one aspiration port in an exterior surface of said electrode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, wherein said protuberances comprise a series of parallel raised ribs separated by grooves. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, wherein said electrode is bent along its longitudinal axis such that the distal end of the electrode is offset from the proximal end of the electrode. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, wherein the included angle ranges between 20 and 30 degrees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The probe of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of said single conductive electrode has a cross-section comprised of first and second opposing conductive surfaces separated by first and second lateral surfaces, said conducting and lateral surfaces tapering in the distal direction such that said first and second surfaces intersect to form said distal edge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An electrosurgical system for the electrosurgical treatment of tissue in the presence of a conductive liquid comprising: the electrosurgical probe of claim 1; a power source; and a means for applying high frequency voltage to said electrosurgical probe. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein said included angle ranges between 30 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein said edge has a linear portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein said edge is curvilinear. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said linear portion of said edge forms an angle with the axis of said elongated member between 30 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, wherein said linear portion of said edge forms an angle with the axis of said elongated member between 45 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein said conductive electrode is formed of a monolithic homogeneous metallic material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising an irrigation means for conducting fluid from an external source to the surgical site. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein said irrigation means comprises at least one irrigation port in an exterior surface of said electrode. ### Claim 25 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising a means for aspirating fluid and debris from the surgical site. ### Claim 26 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein said protuberances comprise a series of parallel raised ribs separated by grooves. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) A method of conducting an electrosurgical procedure comprising the steps of: providing the electrosurgical probe of claim 1; positioning said conductive electrode in the proximity of a tissue to be treated in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid; applying a high frequency voltage to said conductive electrode to generate an electric field adjacent said first and second conductive surfaces; and vaporizing the tissue to be treated with said first conductive surface and coagulating any remaining tissue with said second conductive surface. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein said included angle ranges between 30 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein said edge has a linear portion. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein said edge is curvilinear. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein said linear portion of said edge forms an angle with the axis of said elongated member between 30 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein said linear portion of said edge forms an angle with the axis of said elongated member between 45 and 90 degrees. ### Claim 33 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein said electrode is formed of a monolithic homogeneous metallic material. ### Claim 34 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, further comprising an irrigation means for conducting fluid from an external source to the surgical site. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34, wherein said irrigation means comprises at least one irrigation port in an exterior surface of said electrode. ### Claim 36 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, further comprising a means for aspirating fluid and debris from the surgical site. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein said means comprises at least one aspiration port in an exterior surface of said electrode. ### Claim 38 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein said protuberances comprise a series of parallel raised ribs separated by grooves.