Tissue resurfacing
US6723091B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 20, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 12, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05H2245/34
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A tissue resurfacing system has a handheld surgical instrument with a gas conduit (38) which terminates in an exit nozzle (180N). Inside the conduit is an inner electrode (54). A tubular coaxial outer electrode (70) constitutes part of the wall of the conduit. Coupled to the instrument is a radio frequency power generator which delivers high level radio frequency energy in single-shot or repeated bursts to the electrodes (54, 70) while gas is flowing through the conduit (38) so as to create a gas plasma between the electrodes which then emerges from the nozzle (180N) for tissue treatment. A resonant focussing element (480) may be located in the conduit (38) between the electrodes (54, 70) to aid plasma striking. The combination of high peak power (e.g. greater than 750 W) and short treatment pulses (e.g. less than 30 ms) allows rapid surface treatment without significant thermal effects at unwanted depths.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.