Methods and devices for radiofrequency electrosurgery
US7198626B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2003 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2218/008
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrically activated surgical device includes a probe body, an active element and a structure for selectively electrically insulating and/or physically isolating the active element from the patient's tissue when the device is in use. The probe body defines an outer surface, a proximal end, a distal end and a window defined within the outer surface near or at the distal end. The active element is electrically connected to a power source and is configured to selectively assume a non-deployed configuration and a variable deployed configuration in which the active element at least partially emerges from the window out of the probe body. The insulating structure selectively insulates the active element from the patient's tissue when the device is inserted therein. In operation, a physician inserts the probe into the tissue, insulates the active element from the tissue (either before, during or after insertion of the probe), energizes the insulated active element using for example, radiofrequency (RF) power from the power source, and only then exposes the energized active element to the tissue. By insulating the active element during the energizing thereof, little or no current appl…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.