US5383876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid cooled electrosurgical probe for cutting and cauterizing tissue
Assignee: American Cardiac Ablation Co Inc
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Filing: 1994-03-22
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2014-03-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical probe is disclosed which provides the ability to both cut and cauterize tissue. The probe includes at least one cauterization electrode mounted upon a distal portion of the electrode and adapted to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue. Further, a central lumen is disposed within the probe. The lumen is adapted to accommodate the flow of fluid from a remote source to tissue through an outlet port in the distal end of the probe. Also, the lumen houses a cutting electrode which is selectively deployable. Both cauterization and coagulation can be conducted in a bipolar mode. The flow of fluid through the lumen serves to limit the heat transfer from the cauterization electrode to adjacent tissue to an extent sufficient to prevent the sticking of tissue to the probe. In another embodiment the probe is adapted only for cauterization and does not include a cutting electrode.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul C. Nardella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:32
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1482; A61B18/1477; A61B18/1402
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An electrosurgical device, comprising: an elongate surgical probe member having disposed about a distal portion of the outer surface thereof at least one cauterization electrode; a longitudinally oriented, centrally disposed lumen extending through the member, the lumen adapted to deliver a fluid through the member to be discharged through an outlet port disposed in a distal portion of the member; a selectively deployable cutting electrode positioned within the lumen alternately deployable between an extended position, when the electrode extends from the lumen, and a retracted position, when the electrode is retracted within the lumen during periods of non-use, the electrode being of such diameter that it does not fully occlude the lumen; and a means for delivering electrosurgical energy through the device to the cauterization electrode and to the cutting electrode.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An electrosurgical device, comprising: an elongate surgical probe member having disposed about a distal portion of the outer surface thereof at least one cauterization electrode; a longitudinally oriented, centrally disposed lumen extending through the member, the lumen adapted to deliver a fluid through the member to be discharged through an outlet port disposed in a distal portion of the member; a selectively deployable cutting electrode positioned within the lumen alternately deployable between an extended position, when the electrode extends from the lumen, and a retracted position, when the electrode is retracted within the lumen during periods of non-use, the electrode being of such diameter that it does not fully occlude the lumen; and a means for delivering electrosurgical energy through the device to the cauterization electrode and to the cutting electrode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising first and second cauterization electrodes disposed about the distal portion of the device outer surface, the first and second electrodes being electrically isolated from one another, wherein the first electrode serves as an active, energy delivering electrode and the second electrode serves as a ground electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 2 wherein the first and second cauterization electrodes are each helically oriented and disposed about the outer surface of a distal portion of the member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the means for delivering electrosurgical energy communicates with an electrosurgical generator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the cutting electrode features an insulating coating along its length, except for the distal end thereof which is uncoated and able to contact and electrically communicate with tissue when in the extended position to effect the cutting of tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the helical coagulation electrodes are constructed of or are coated with a conductive material selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, and platinum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cauterization electrode is helically oriented about the outer surface of a distal portion of the member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the outlet port is disposed at the distal tip of the member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the probe member further comprises a first outlet port mounted on the distal tip of the member for discharging a fluid in a direction substantially parallel to the lumen, and at least one additional outlet port mounted in a side wall of the lumen.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the cutting electrode is constructed of or coated with a conductive material selected from the group consisting of gold, silver, and platinum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the cutting electrode is in the range of about 1 to 3 French.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 further comprising a means for controlling the deployment of the cutting electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electrosurgical cutting and coagulation system comprising an elongate surgical probe member having disposed about a distal portion of the outer surface thereof at least one cauterization electrode; a longitudinal, centrally disposed lumen extending through the member, the lumen adapted to convey a fluid through the member to be discharged through an outlet port disposed in a distal portion of the member; a selectively deployable cutting electrode positioned within the lumen, the cutting electrode being able to operably extend from the lumen upon deployment, the electrode being of such diameter that it does not fully occlude the lumen; a means for delivering electrosurgical energy through the device to the cauterization electrode; a fluid supply reservoir in fluid communication with the lumen; a means for delivering fluid from the reservoir to the lumen; and means for controlling the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the cauterization electrode to cauterize tissue.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
148 words
An electrosurgical cutting and coagulation system comprising an elongate surgical probe member having disposed about a distal portion of the outer surface thereof at least one cauterization electrode; a longitudinal, centrally disposed lumen extending through the member, the lumen adapted to convey a fluid through the member to be discharged through an outlet port disposed in a distal portion of the member; a selectively deployable cutting electrode positioned within the lumen, the cutting electrode being able to operably extend from the lumen upon deployment, the electrode being of such diameter that it does not fully occlude the lumen; a means for delivering electrosurgical energy through the device to the cauterization electrode; a fluid supply reservoir in fluid communication with the lumen; a means for delivering fluid from the reservoir to the lumen; and means for controlling the delivery of electrosurgical energy to the cauterization electrode to cauterize tissue.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
The system of claim 13 further comprising a selectively deployable cutting electrode positioned within the lumen and adapted to operably extend from the lumen upon deployment, and where the means for delivering electrosurgical energy further delivers energy to the cutting electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 14 further comprising first and second cauterization electrodes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 15 wherein the first and second cauterization electrodes are electrically isolated from one another and adapted to effect bipolar cauterization wherein the first electrode serves as an active, energy delivering electrode and the second electrode serves as a ground electrode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 16 wherein the first and second cauterization electrodes are each helically oriented and disposed about the surface of a distal portion of the member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the current delivered through the cutting electrode is in the range of 0.2 to 3 amps.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the voltage delivered through the cutting electrodes is in the range of 60 to 1000 volts RMS.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the current delivered through the coagulation electrode is in the range of 0.25 to 1 amp.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 20 wherein the voltage delivered through the coagulation electrode is in the range of 10 to 50 volts RMS.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |