Patent · US Expired

Surgical instrument for ablation and aspiration

US6379350B1 · kind B1 · utility

218Cited by
84References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 5, 1999
Grant dateApr 30, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 5, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2218/008
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical aspiration instrument that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proximal end to a power source and includes an energy application surface area at a distal end. The power source supplied energy to the energy application surface area such that the distal end of the instrument may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen is formed through the instrument with an opening through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening. Accordingly, aspiration may be performed simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such as by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatment area. The electrosurgical aspiration instrument also permits both functions to be performed at different times, with the advantage of not requiring instruments to be switched on during the treatment procedure or removed from the treatment site.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.