Method and apparatus for pulsed plasma-mediated electrosurgery in liquid media
US6135998A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 24, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F9/0079
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for performing electrosurgery using sub-microsecond, high-power electrical pulses applied to an electrosurgical probe endface. The probe endface has an area of about 200-1000 microns.sup.2. The pulses have a duration less than 300 nanoseconds, and preferably have very fast risetimes and very fast falltimes (e.g. less than 100 nanoseconds). The pulses also have power dissipation greater than 500 Watts (e.g. 800-2500 Watts), or voltage greater than 1.5 kV (e.g. 2-3 kV). These pulse characteristics provide for reduced collateral damage, and effective cutting of tissue. Cutting is mainly provided by plasma streamers which are formed on the probe tip endface. However, cutting is also provided by shock waves formed by the discharges. The method is applicable to microsurgical procedures such as retinal surgery and capsulotomy. Also disclosed are electrical circuits for performing the method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.