Patent · US Expired

Swirling system for ionizable gas coagulator

US6666865B2 · kind B2 · utility

108Cited by
107References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 15, 2002
Grant dateDec 23, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 15, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/00589
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue includes an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one aperture located therein. The proximal end of the tube receives a supply of pressurized ionizable gas and is disposed within a working channel of the endoscope. At least one electrode ionizes the gas prior to the gas exiting the aperture of the tube and an agitator causes the gas to exit the tube with predetermined flow characteristics. In one embodiment, the agitator includes a helically-shaped baffle disposed within the tube. In another embodiments, the agitator can include a rotatable baffle having apertures disposed therethrough for causing the gas to exit the tube in a swirl-like manner. Alternatively, a pair of elongated ribbons can be disposed within the tube which, under flow conditions, will cause turbulence within the gas flow.

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