Surgical system
US7211084B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 25, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 1, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 25, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1412
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrosurgical cutting blade (1) comprises a first electrode (2), a second electrode (3), and an electrical insulator (4) separating the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes have dissimilar characteristics (cross-sectional area, thermal conductivity etc.) such that the first electrode (2) is encouraged to become an active electrode and the second electrode (3) is encouraged to become a return electrode. The spacing between the first and second electrodes (between 0.25 mm and 3.0 mm) and the peak voltage supplied to the electrodes (2 and 3) are both selected such that arcing does not occur directly between the electrodes, but between the first electrode and the tissue at the target site. The arrangement is such that, in use, a thermal differential of at least 50° C. is established between the first and second electrodes (2 and 3), such that the second electrode is maintained below a temperature of 70° C. This is achieved either by thermally insulating the second electrode from the first electrode, and/or by transferring heat away from the second electrode, e.g. by conduction, forced cooling, or by means of a heat pipe (27).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.