Cartilage treatment probe

US8500734B2 · 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
• Matthew E. Mitchell · Pelham, US
• Mark Markel · Middleton, US
• Ryland B. Edwards, III · Middleton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 14, 2012
• Grant date: Aug 6, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 14, 2032

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.