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US5697882A
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System and method for electrosurgical cutting and ablation
Assignee: Arthrocare Corp
•
Filing: 1995-11-22
•
Granted: 1997-12-16
•
Expires: 2015-11-22
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical probe (10) comprises a shaft (13) having an electrode array (58) at its distal end and a connector (19) at its proximal end for coupling the electrode array to a high frequency power supply (28). The shaft includes a return electrode (56) recessed from its distal end and enclosed within an insulating jacket (18). The return electrode defines an inner passage (83) electrically connected to both the return electrode and the electrode array for passage of an electrically conducting liquid (50). By applying high frequency voltage to the electrode array and the return electrode, the electrically conducting liquid generates a current flow path between the return electrode and the electrode array so that target tissue may be cut or ablated. The probe is particularly useful in dry environments, such as the mouth or abdominal cavity, because the electrically conducting liquid provides the necessary return current path between the active and return electrodes.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Eggers
- 👤 Hira V. Thapliyal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 21:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1492; A61B18/1206; A61B18/1402; A61B18/148; A61B18/1482; A61B18/1485; A61B18/149; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/0105; A61M25/0133; A61B18/042; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00092; A61B2017/00097; A61B2017/00101; A61B2017/00106; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00247; A61B2017/00292; A61B2017/003; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22001; A61B2017/22038; A61B2018/00005; A61B2018/00011; A61B2018/00029; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00119; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00172; A61B2018/00178; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00196; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00321; A61B2018/00327; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392; A61B2018/00452; A61B2018/0047; A61B2018/00476; A61B2018/00505; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00583; A61B2018/00601; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00642; A61B2018/0066; A61B2018/00666; A61B2018/00678; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00726; A61B2018/00738; A61B2018/00755; A61B2018/00761; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00791; A61B2018/00797; A61B2018/00821; A61B2018/00827; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00886; A61B2018/00982; A61B2018/1213; A61B2018/124; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1273; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1407; A61B2018/1467; A61B2018/1472; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162; A61B2018/165; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/007; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2493; A61F2/95; A61M25/0147; A61M25/0158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 60
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising: providing an electrode terminal and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the active electrode in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting terminal; and applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to vaporize the fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the electrode terminal and to induce the discharge of energy to the target site in contact with the vapor layer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising: providing an electrode terminal and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the active electrode in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting terminal; and applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to vaporize the fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the electrode terminal and to induce the discharge of energy to the target site in contact with the vapor layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode terminal comprises an electrode array including a plurality of isolated electrode terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the isolated electrode terminals each have a contact surface area in the range of about 0.25 mm 2 to 50.0 mm 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the isolated electrode terminals have circular contact surfaces with an area in the range from 0.01 mm 2 to 1 mm 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the electrode terminals are spaced from each other a distance of about 0.0005 to 2.0 mm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the electrode array is disposed over a distal tip of an electrosurgical probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the electrode terminals comprises a material with a relatively low thermal conductivity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the electrode materials comprises a material selected from the group consisting of titanium, tungsten, platinum, aluminum and tantalum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the return electrode has a distal end positioned proximal to the electrode array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the electrode height of the most distal portion of any of the electrode terminals relative to the most proximal portion of said electrode terminals exposed to the electrically conducting fluid is in the range from 0.0 to 2.0 mm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the electrode terminals are surrounded and supported by an insulating matrix at or near the distal tip of the probe to electrically isolate proximal portions of the electrode terminals from the electrically conductive fluid, the insulating matrix comprising an inorganic material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the inorganic material is selected from the group consisting essentially of ceramic, glass and glass/ceramic compositions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the energy induced is in the form of photons having a wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the energy is in the form of energetic electrons.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the energy of the energetic electrons is sufficient to cause disassociation or disintegration of molecules of the body structure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the energy evolved by the energetic electrons is greater than 3 eV.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the high frequency voltage is at least 200 volts peak to peak.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the voltage is in the range from 500 to 1400 volts peak to peak.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode terminal is positioned between 0.02 to 5 mm from the target site.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the vapor layer has a thickness of about 0.02 to 2.0 mm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the distance between the most proximal portion of the electrode terminal and the most distal portion of the return electrode is in the range from 0.5 to 10 mm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode terminal and the return electrode are of comparable size and comprise a bipolar array of isolated electrode terminals which both come in close proximity or in contact with the body structure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid phase of the electrically conducting fluid has a conductivity greater than 2 mS/cm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid phase of the electrically conductive fluid comprises isotonic saline.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode height of the most distal portion of the electrode terminal relative to the most proximal portion of the electrode terminal exposed to the electrically conducting fluid is in the range from 0.0 to 2.0 mm.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising: providing an active electrode and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being in the range from 500 to 1400 volts peak to peak.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising: providing an active electrode and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being in the range from 500 to 1400 volts peak to peak.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 26 wherein the high frequency voltage is in the range from 700 to 900 volts peak to peak.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising: providing an electrode terminal and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to impart sufficient energy into the target site to ablate the body structure without causing substantial tissue necrosis below the surface of the body structure underlying the ablated body structure.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising: providing an electrode terminal and a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to impart sufficient energy into the target site to ablate the body structure without causing substantial tissue necrosis below the surface of the body structure underlying the ablated body structure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the applying step comprises: vaporizing the electrically conducting fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the electrode terminal; and inducing the discharge of photons to the target site in contact with the vapor layer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the applying step comprises: vaporizing the electrically conducting fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the active electrode surface; and inducing the discharge of energetic electrons to the target site in contact with the vapor layer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the depth of necrosis is 0 to 400 microns.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising: providing an active electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and generating a voltage gradient between the electrode terminal and tissue at the target site, the voltage gradient being sufficient to create an electric field that cause the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for applying energy to a target site on a patient body structure comprising: providing an active electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; positioning the electrode terminal in close proximity to the target site in the presence of an electrically conducting fluid; and generating a voltage gradient between the electrode terminal and tissue at the target site, the voltage gradient being sufficient to create an electric field that cause the breakdown of tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the generating step comprises: providing a return electrode electrically coupled to a high frequency voltage source; applying a high frequency voltage between the electrode terminal and the return electrode; and vaporizing the electrically conducting fluid in a thin layer over at least a portion of the electrode terminal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising developing a film layer of vapor between the active electrode and the body structure at the target site.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 33 further comprising cooling the tissue with the electrically conducting fluid to reduce the temperature rise of those portions of the body structure adjacent the target site.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the cooling step includes translating the distal surface of the electrode terminal over the target site to allow the electrically conducting fluid to contact the tissue after the tissue has been subjected to the electric field.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
50 words
The method of claims 1 and 28 wherein the electrode terminal is surrounded and supported by an insulating matrix at or near the distal tip of the probe to electrically isolate the proximal portion of the electrode terminal from the electrically conductive fluid, the insulating matrix comprising an inorganic material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the inorganic material is selected from the group consisting essentially of ceramic, glass and glass/ceramic compositions.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the distal surface of the electrode terminal is recessed below the surface of the insulating matrix by a distance from 0.01 mm to 1.0 mm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the distal surface of the electrode terminal is flush with the surface of the insulating matrix.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of claims 28 and 32 wherein the electrode terminal comprises an electrode array including a plurality of isolated electrode terminals.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the generating step comprises: providing a return electrode electrically coupled to a higher frequency voltage source; applying a high frequency voltage between the return electrode and the array of electrode terminals; and vaporizing the electrically conducting fluid in a thin layer over one or more of the electrode terminals of the array.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising developing a film layer of vapor between one or more of the electrode terminals and the target site.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 42 further comprising cooling the tissue with the electrically conducting fluid to reduce the temperature rise of those portions of the body structure adjacent the target site.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
23 words
The method of claims 1 and 33 wherein the density of the vapor layer is less than about 10 20 atoms/cm 3 .
Claim 50
Independent Claim
24 words
The method of claims 1 and 30 wherein the electrode terminal is configured to promote bubble nucleation causing the formation of the vapor layer.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
29 words
The method of claims 1 and 28 wherein the electrode terminal has a contact surface area in the range of about 0.25 mm 2 to 50 mm 2 .
Claim 52
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of claims 26 and 28 wherein the high frequency voltage is at least 200 volts peak to peak.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
25 words
The method of claims 26 and 28 wherein the high frequency voltage is in the range from about 500 to 1400 volts peak to peak.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of claims 26 and 28 wherein the electrode terminal is positioned between 0.02 to 2.0 mm from the target site.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
23 words
The method of claims 26 and 28 wherein the electrode terminal and the return electrodes comprise a bipolar array of isolated electrode terminals.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
33 words
The method of claims 1 and 28 further comprising cooling the tissue with the electrically conducting fluid to reduce the temperature rise of those portions of the body structure adjacent the target site.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 52 wherein the cooling step includes translating the distal surface of the active electrode over the target site to allow the electrically conducting fluid to contact the tissue after the tissue has been subjected to the electric field.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
28 words
The method of claims 1 and 28 further comprising evacuating fluid generated at the target site with a suction lumen having a distal end adjacent the electrode terminal.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
20 words
The method of claims 1 and 28 wherein the target site is a tumor within or on the patient's body.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
22 words
The method of claims 26 and 28 wherein the electrode terminal comprises an electrode array including a plurality of isolated electrode terminals.
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