Cartilage treatment probe

US8377058B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SMITH & NEPHEW, INC. · US

Inventors

• Kobi Iki · Redwood City, US
• William M. Ambrisco · Mountain View, US
• Douglas M. Lorang · Ripon, US
• Alan P. Gannon · Amesbury, US
• Richard M. Ranalli · Berwick, US
• Mathew Erle Mitchell · Pelham, US
• Mark Markel · Middleton, US
• Ryland B. Edwards, III · Middleton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 27, 2011
• Grant date: Feb 19, 2013
• Expiry date: May 27, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B18/1402
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface.