U.S. patent application number 10/389159 was filed with the patent office on 2003-11-13 for systems and methods for electrosurgical incisions on external skin surfaces.
This patent application is currently assigned to ArthroCare Corporation. Invention is credited to Brunell, Stephen M., Eggers, Andrew R., Eggers, Philip E., Thapliyal, Hira V., Underwood, Ronald A..
Application Number | 20030212396 10/389159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34595785 |
Filed Date | 2003-11-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030212396 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eggers, Andrew R. ; et
al. |
November 13, 2003 |
Systems and methods for electrosurgical incisions on external skin
surfaces
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for removing fatty tissue
underlying a patient's epidermis (e.g., blepharoplasty, brow lifts,
eyelid shortening procedures, and the like). These methods include
positioning one or more active electrode(s) and one or more return
electrode(s) in close proximity to a target site on an external
body surface of the patient. A high frequency voltage difference is
applied between the active and return electrode(s), and the active
electrode(s) are translated across the external body surface to
create an incision therein. The bipolar configuration controls the
flow of current to within and around the distal end of the probe,
which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current
through unwanted paths in the patient. The residual heat from the
electrical energy also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed
blood vessels, which increases visualization and improves recovery
time for the patient.
Inventors: |
Eggers, Andrew R.;
(Ostrander, OH) ; Eggers, Philip E.; (Dublin,
OH) ; Underwood, Ronald A.; (Belmont, CA) ;
Brunell, Stephen M.; (Mountain View, CA) ; Thapliyal,
Hira V.; (Los Altos, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ARTHROCARE CORPORATION
680 VAQUEROS AVENUE
SUNNYVALE
CA
94085-3523
US
|
Assignee: |
ArthroCare Corporation
Sunnyvale
CA
|
Family ID: |
34595785 |
Appl. No.: |
10/389159 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10389159 |
Mar 14, 2003 |
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09562650 |
May 1, 2000 |
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09562650 |
May 1, 2000 |
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09162117 |
Sep 28, 1998 |
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6117109 |
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09162117 |
Sep 28, 1998 |
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08977845 |
Nov 25, 1997 |
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6210402 |
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08977845 |
Nov 25, 1997 |
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08562332 |
Nov 22, 1995 |
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6024733 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 18/042 20130101;
A61B 2018/00029 20130101; A61B 2218/002 20130101; A61B 18/1482
20130101; A61B 2018/0047 20130101; A61B 2018/162 20130101; A61B
2018/00404 20130101; A61B 2018/00601 20130101; A61B 2018/1472
20130101; A61B 2018/00476 20130101; A61B 2018/1467 20130101; A61B
2018/00821 20130101; A61B 2018/00583 20130101; A61B 2018/00148
20130101; A61B 2018/00797 20130101; A61B 2018/00625 20130101; A61B
2018/1213 20130101; A61B 2218/007 20130101; A61B 2018/00815
20130101; A61B 18/1402 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/41 |
International
Class: |
A61B 018/14 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's
epidermis comprising: positioning an electrode terminal and a
return electrode in close proximity to a target site on an external
body surface of the patient; applying a high frequency voltage
difference between the electrode terminal and the return electrode;
and during the applying step, translating the electrode terminal
across the external body surface to create an incision in the body
surface.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the external body surface
comprises a tissue structure in the papillary dermis or the
epidermis.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising removing a layer of the
external body surface from the target site and removing a portion
of the underlying fatty tissue.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising effecting tissue
hemostasis during the translating step.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising delivering electrically
conducting fluid to the target site, and contacting the
electrically conducting fluid with the return electrode to provide
a current flow path from the electrode terminal, through the
electrically conducting fluid, and to the return electrode.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising locating an
electrically conducting gel on the external body surface to provide
a current flow path from the electrode terminal, through the
electrically conducting fluid, and to the return electrode.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning the return
electrode proximal to the electrode terminal to induce current flow
from the electrode terminal away from the target site.
8. The method of claim 1 further comprising directing electrically
conducting fluid along a fluid path past the electrode terminal and
the return electrode to generate the current flow path between the
return electrode and the electrode terminal.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode terminal comprises a
single, elongate electrode terminal having a sharp distal tip.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein further comprising applying a
sufficient high frequency voltage difference between the return
electrode and the electrode terminal to remove tissue through
molecular dissociation or disintegration.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying sufficient
voltage to the electrode terminal in the presence of the
electrically conducting fluid to vaporize at least a portion of the
fluid between the electrode terminal and the external body
surface.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising accelerating charged
particles from the vaporized fluid to said portion of the epidermis
to cause dissociation of the molecular bonds within the tissue
structures of said portion of the epidermis
13. A method for performing a blepharoplasty procedure comprising:
positioning an electrode terminal in close proximity to a target
site near a patient's eye; applying a sufficient high frequency
voltage to the electrode to volumetrically remove tissue at the
target site; during the applying step, translating the electrode
terminal across the external body surface to create an incision in
the body surface; and removing fatty tissue underlying the
incision.
14. The method of claim 1 further comprising delivering
electrically conducting fluid to the target site, and contacting
the electrically conducting fluid with a return electrode to
provide a current flow path from the electrode terminal, through
the electrically conducting fluid, and to the return electrode.
15. The method of claim 1 further comprising locating an
electrically conducting gel on the external body surface to provide
a current flow path from the electrode terminal, through the
electrically conducting fluid, and to a return electrode.
16. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning a return
electrode proximal to the electrode terminal to induce current flow
from the electrode terminal away from the target site.
17. The method of claim 1 further comprising directing electrically
conducting fluid along a fluid path past the electrode terminal and
a return electrode to generate the current flow path between the
return electrode and the electrode terminal.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the electrode terminal comprises
a single, elongate electrode terminal having a sharp distal
tip.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein further comprising applying a
sufficient high frequency voltage to the electrode terminal to
remove tissue through molecular dissociation or disintegration.
20. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying sufficient
voltage to the electrode terminal in the presence of the
electrically conducting fluid to vaporize at least a portion of the
fluid between the electrode terminal and the external body
surface.
21. The method of claim 20 further comprising accelerating charged
particles from the vaporized fluid to said portion of the epidermis
to cause dissociation of the molecular bonds within the tissue
structures of said portion of the epidermis.
22. An apparatus for creating an incision in an external body
surface of a patient comprising: a shaft having proximal and distal
end portions and an elongate electrode terminal extending from the
distal end portion; a return electrode on the shaft spaced from the
elongate electrode terminal; a power supply coupled to the
electrode terminal and the return electrode for applying a
sufficient high frequency voltage difference between the electrode
and the return electrode to volumetrically remove tissue on the
external body surface.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the elongate electrode
terminal has a distal tip configured for creating an incision in an
internal body surface, and the return electrode is proximally
spaced from the elongate electrode terminal.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 the shaft comprises a disposable tip
configured for removable coupling to a handle in an electrosurgical
system.
25. The apparatus of claim 22 further comprising a fluid lumen
configured for delivering electrically conducting fluid to the
electrode terminal.
26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the return electrode is
axially spaced from the electrode terminal a distance sufficient to
prevent current arcing therebetween.
27. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the return electrode is
axially spaced from the electrode terminal a distance of about 1.0
to 20 mm.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/977,845, filed Nov. 25, 1997
(attorney docket no. D-2), which is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. No. 08/562,332, filed Nov. 22, 1995 (attorney
docket no. 016238-000710), the complete disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
[0002] The present invention is related to commonly assigned
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/990,374, filed Dec.
15, 1997 (Attorney Docket No. E-3), which is a continuation-in-part
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/485,219, filed on Jun. 7,
1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,281 (Attorney Docket 16238-000600),
patent application Ser. Nos. 09/109,219, 09/058,571, 08/874,173 and
09/002,315, filed on Jun. 30, 1998, Apr. 10, 1998, Jun. 13, 1997,
and Jan. 2, 1998, respectively (Attorney Docket Nos. CB-1, CB-2,
16238-005600 and C-9, respectively) and U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 09/054,323, filed on Apr. 2, 1998 (Attorney Docket No.
E-5), U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/010,382, filed Jan. 21,
1998 (Attorney Docket A-6), and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/032,375, filed Feb. 27, 1998 (Attorney Docket No. CB-3), U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 08/977,845, filed on Nov. 25, 1997
(Attorney Docket No. D-2), Ser. No. 08/942,580, filed on Oct. 2,
1997 (Attorney Docket No. 16238-001300), U.S. application Ser. No.
08/753,227, filed on Nov. 22, 1996 (Docket 16238-002200), U.S.
application Ser. No. 08/687,792, filed on Jul. 18, 1996 (Docket No.
16238-001600), and PCT International Application, U.S. National
Phase Serial No. PCT/US94/05168, filed on May 10, 1994, now U.S.
Pat. No. 5,697,909 (Attorney Docket 16238-000440), which was a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
08/059,681, filed on May 10, 1993 (Attorney Docket 16238-000420),
which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 07/958,977, filed on Oct. 9, 1992 (Attorney Docket
16238-000410) which was a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 07/817,575, filed on Jan. 7, 1992 (Attorney
Docket 16238-00040), the complete disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. The present
invention is also related to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
5,683,366, filed Nov. 22, 1995 (Attorney Docket 16238-000700), the
complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of
electrosurgery, and more particularly to surgical devices and
methods which employ high frequency electrical energy to treat a
patient's skin and subcutaneous tissue, including skin resurfacing
procedures, the removal of pigmentations, vascular lesions, scars
and tattoos, hair removal and/or transplant procedures, treatment
of skin cancer, skin rejuvenation (e.g., wrinkle removal),
liposuction, blepharoplasty and the like.
[0004] In early dermatology procedures, cosmetic surgeons often
employed chemical peels and/or dermabrasion techniques to remove
outer layers of the patient's skin to rejuvenate wrinkled skin or
to remove skins disorders, such as acne, lesions, early skin
cancer, etc. These dermabrasion and chemical procedures, however,
are difficult to control, requiring great surgical skill. In
addition, these somewhat inelegant techniques often cause excessive
bleeding, collateral tissue damage and patient discomfort.
[0005] In an effort to overcome some of the limitations of
dermabrasion and chemical peels, lasers have been developed for use
in cosmetic surgery. Lasers have improved the accuracy of skin
resurfacing procedures, and they have reduced collateral damage to
the tissue surrounding and underlying the treatment site. In laser
dermatology applications, a handpiece is typically used to guide
the output of a laser to the patient's skin, and to form a laser
spot of a desired size on the region of the skin which is to be
treated. The handpiece is typically attached to one end of an
articulated arm which transmits the output of a medical laser (such
as CO.sub.2 or Er:YAG lasers) to the handpiece and allows the
handpiece a wide range of motion.
[0006] Although initially promising, lasers suffer from a number of
drawbacks in dermatology procedures. In the first place, laser
equipment can be very expensive because of the costs associated
with the laser light sources. Moreover, those lasers which permit
acceptable depths of necrosis (such as excimer lasers, erbium:YAG
lasers, and the like) provide a very low volumetric ablation rate,
requiring numerous passes over the same treatment area which
amounts to longer procedural times. In addition, erbium:YAG lasers
generally do not provide effective hemostasis during the procedure,
resulting in excessive bleeding which disrupts the surgeon's view
of the treatment site. The CO.sub.2 lasers provide a higher rate of
ablation and an increased depth of tissue necrosis than their
erbium: YAG counterparts. On the other hand, CO.sub.2 lasers often
create significant residual thermal injury to tissue at and
surrounding the treatment site, which requires long healing periods
for the patient. In addition, CO.sub.2 lasers are associated with
much pain and, therefore, require a lot of anesthesia, which
increases the cost and length of the procedure.
[0007] In the treatment of vascular lesions, lasers are used to
irradiate the surface of the skin. The laser energy penetrates
through the skin and is absorbed in the blood, which coagulates and
collapses the vein. Unfortunately, there are also problems
associated with the use of lasers in these procedures. For example,
although most of the laser energy passes through the tissue to the
vessel, scattering and absorption of the light take place in the
tissue. This absorption can cause significant changes in skin
coloration and even scarring.
[0008] Monopolar electrosurgical instruments have been used to
effect electrodessication of abnormalities, such as lesions, skin
tags, viral warts, pigment nevi, moles and skin cancer. For
example, Conmed Corporation manufacturers a monopolar device,
termed the Hyfrecator.TM. having a single active electrode at the
tip of an electrosurgical probe. In these procedures, the skin
abnormality is typically removed with a scalpel, and a low voltage
is applied to the active electrode in contact with the target
tissue to deliver electric current through the tissue and the
patient to a dispersive pad or indifferent electrode. The voltage
desiccates the remaining abnormal tissue, and coagulates severed
blood vessels at the target site. The remaining tissue is then
removed with a sponge or similar material. The voltage generally
must be low enough to prevent charring and potential scarring of
the underlying dermis.
[0009] The present invention is particularly concerned with
treating "baggy eyelids" deformity, a condition that can result in
both functional and cosmetic problems. Baggy eyelids can be caused
by a variety of conditions, such as blepharochalasis (laxity and
sagging of the upper eyelid), dermatochalasis (loss of skin
elasticity in the upper eyelid), hypertrophy of the orbicularis
muscle, protrusion of intraorbit fat and lateral fullness of the
upper eye. Surgical treatment for baggy eyelids, known as
blepharoplasty, typically involves the creation of a linear or
crescent shaped incision across the upper or lower eyelid so that a
portion of the patient's skin can be folded over to expose the
underlying orbital septum. The orbital septum is then opened to
expose the underlying fat tissue, and the desired amount of fat
tissue is excised from the patient.
[0010] The dermal incisions required to expose underlying fatty
tissue are typically created with a variety of convention resection
devices, such as a scalpel or laser. While generally effective,
these devices each have one or more drawbacks. The scalpel requires
additional hemostasis, and often leads to postoperative pain and
relatively long healing periods. Lasers typically effect
simultaneous hemostasis as they deliver thermal energy to the
target area. However, this thermal energy also leads to excess
healing time and postoperative pain. In addition, the amount of
thermal energy required by these devices may sufficient damage the
target site to leave a permanent scar on the patient.
[0011] RF energy has been used to remove or otherwise treat tissue
in open and endoscopic procedures since they generally reduce
patient bleeding associated with tissue cutting operations and
improve the surgeon's visibility. In procedures for treating baggy
eyelids, monopolar RF devices, e.g., the Colorado Needle.TM., are
frequently used to create the necessary incisions in the patient's
eyelids. These electrosurgical devices and procedures, however,
suffer from a number of disadvantages. For example, conventional
electrosurgical cutting devices typically operate by creating a
voltage difference between the active electrode and the target
tissue, causing an electrical arc to form across the physical gap
between the electrode and tissue. At the point of contact of the
electric arcs with tissue, rapid tissue heating occurs due to high
current density between the electrode and tissue. This high current
density causes cellular fluids to rapidly vaporize into steam,
thereby producing a "cutting effect" along the pathway of localized
tissue heating. This cutting effect generally results in the
production of smoke, or an electrosurgical plume, which can spread
bacterial or viral particles from the tissue to the surgical team
or to other portions of the patient's body. In addition, the tissue
is parted along the pathway of evaporated cellular fluid, inducing
undesirable collateral tissue damage in regions surrounding the
target tissue site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides systems, apparatus and
methods for selectively applying electrical energy to the
epidermis, dermis or underlying subcutaneous tissue of a patient.
The systems and methods of the present invention are particularly
useful for creating precise incisions in external skin surfaces,
such as the face, with minimal pain and postoperative scarring.
[0013] In one aspect of the invention, a method for removing fatty
tissue underlying a patient's epidermis is disclosed (e.g.,
blepharoplasty, brow lifts, eyelid shortening procedures, and the
like). This method includes positioning one or more active
electrode(s) and one or more return electrode(s) in close proximity
to a target site on an external body surface of the patient. A high
frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and
return electrode(s), and the active electrode(s) are translated
across the external body surface to-create an incision therein. The
bipolar configuration of the present invention controls the flow of
current to the immediate region around the distal end of the probe,
which minimizes tissue necrosis and the conduction of current
through the patient. The residual heat from the electrical energy
also provides simultaneous hemostasis of severed blood vessels,
which increases visualization and improves recovery time for the
patient. The techniques of the present invention produce
significantly less thermal energy than many conventional
techniques, such as lasers and conventional RF devices, which
reduces collateral tissue damage and minimizes pain and
postoperative scarring.
[0014] In some procedures, such as blepharoplasty, the incision
will be selected to allow a portion of external skin to be removed
(i.e., folded over or removed entirely) to expose the underlying
tissue, such as the orbital septum in blepharoplasty procedures.
Depending on the specific procedure, the fatty portions of the
underlying tissue are then removed either with conventional tools,
such as a scalpel, or with the electrosurgical instruments
described herein. In the latter embodiment, a sufficient high
frequency voltage is applied between the active and return
electrode(s) to volumetrically remove this fatty tissue either in
situ, or by breaking up the tissue sufficiently to enable removal
by suction pressure (e.g., liposuction). In this latter case, the
tissue may be removed by an electrosurgical probe having an
aspiration lumen and/or an aspiration electrode to prevent clogging
of the lumen. A more complete description of such a device can be
found in Ser. No. 09/010,382, filed Jan. 21, 1998 (attorney docket
A-6), previously incorporated herein by reference.
[0015] The return electrode(s) are preferably spaced from the
active electrode(s) a sufficient distance to prevent arcing
therebetween at the voltages suitable for tissue removal, and to
prevent contact of the return electrode(s) with the tissue. The
current flow path between the active and return electrodes may be
generated by directing an electrically conducting fluid along a
fluid path past the return electrode and to the target site, or by
locating a viscous electrically conducting fluid, such as a gel, at
the target site, and submersing the active and return electrode(s)
within the conductive gel. The electrically conductive fluid will
be selected to have sufficient electrical conductivity to allow
current to pass therethrough from the active to the return
electrode, and such that the fluid ionizes into a plasma when
subject to sufficient electrical energy, as discussed below. In the
exemplary embodiment, the conductive fluid is isotonic saline,
although other fluids may be selected, as described in co-pending
Provisional Patent Application No. ______, filed ______ (attorney
docket no. ______), the complete disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0016] In the exemplary embodiment, the incision is created by
removing tissue with molecular dissociation or disintegration
processes. Conventional electrosurgery cuts through tissue by
rapidly heating the tissue until cellular fluids explode, producing
a cutting effect along the pathway of localized heating. The
present invention volumetrically removes the tissue along the
cutting pathway in a cool ablation process that minimizes thermal
damage to surrounding tissue. In these processes, the high
frequency voltage applied to the active electrode(s) is sufficient
to vaporize an electrically conductive fluid (e.g., gel or saline)
between the electrode(s) and the tissue. Within the vaporized
fluid, a ionized plasma is formed and charged particles (e.g.,
electrons) are accelerated towards the tissue to cause the
molecular breakdown or disintegration of several cell layers of the
tissue. This molecular dissociation is accompanied by the
volumetric removal of the tissue. The short range of the
accelerated charged particles within the plasma layer confines the
molecular dissociation process to the surface layer to minimize
damage and necrosis to the underlying tissue. This process can be
precisely controlled to effect the volumetric removal of tissue as
thin as 10 to 50 microns with minimal heating of, or damage to,
surrounding or underlying tissue structures. A more complete
description of this phenomena is described in commonly assigned
U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,366, the complete disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
[0017] The present invention offers a number of advantages over
current RF and laser techniques for creating incisions in skin. The
ability to precisely control the volumetric removal of tissue
results in a field of tissue cutting or removal that is very
defined, consistent and predictable. Controlling the depth of
tissue removal allows the physician to form a precise incision
through the skin tissue. This precise heating also helps to
minimize or completely eliminate damage to healthy tissue
structures or nerves that are often adjacent to the target tissue.
In addition, small blood vessels within the skin tissue are
simultaneously cauterized and sealed as the tissue is removed to
continuously maintain hemostasis during the procedure. This
increases the surgeon's field of view, and shortens the length of
the procedure. Moreover, since the present invention allows for the
use of electrically conductive fluid (contrary to prior art bipolar
and monopolar electrosurgery techniques), isotonic saline may be
used during the procedure. Saline is the preferred medium for
irrigation because it has the same concentration as the body's
fluids and, therefore, is not absorbed into the body as much as
other fluids.
[0018] Apparatus according to the present invention generally
include an electrosurgical probe or handpiece having a shaft or
handle with proximal and distal ends and an electrode assembly at
the distal end. The apparatus will preferably further include a
fluid delivery element for delivering electrically conducting fluid
to the electrode terminal(s) and the target site. The fluid
delivery element may be located on the probe, e.g., a fluid lumen
or tube, or it may be part of a separate instrument. Alternatively,
an electrically conducting gel or spray, such as a saline
electrolyte or other conductive gel, may be applied to the target
site. In this embodiment, the apparatus may not have a fluid
delivery element. In both embodiments, the electrically conducting
fluid will preferably generate a current flow path from the
electrode terminals to one or more return electrode(s). In an
exemplary embodiment, the return electrode is located on the probe
and spaced a sufficient distance from the electrode terminal(s) to
substantially avoid or minimize current shorting therebetween and
to shield the return electrode from tissue at the target site.
[0019] In a specific configuration, the electrode assembly
comprises an active electrode spaced from a return electrode by an
electrically insulating electrode support member. In an exemplary
embodiment, the active electrode has a substantially elongate shape
with a sharp distal end to facilitate the cutting or incision of
tissue, usually having a width of about 0.01 mm to 10 mm,
preferably about 0.1 to 0.5 mm and an exposed length of about 5 to
50 mm, preferably about 10 to 30 mm. The return electrode comprises
an electrically conductive sleeve surrounding the insulating
support member, which extends distally therefrom. Likewise, the
support member preferably comprises an insulating sleeve
surrounding the active electrode which extends distally therefrom.
In the exemplary embodiment, the electrode assembly extends from
the distal face of a support member or disposable tip, which may be
attached to a handle to facilitate use by the surgeon. The
disposable tip typically includes a fluid lumen having a distal
opening adjacent to the electrode assembly for delivery of
electrically conductive fluid to the target site. In the preferred
embodiment, the fluid lumen extends through the disposable tip,
although it may also comprises a fluid tube that extends on the
exterior of the tip.
[0020] In an alternative embodiment, an electrosurgical probe
includes one or more electrode terminal(s) designed for cutting
tissue; i.e., they typically have a distal edge or point. In this
embodiment, the electrode terminal(s) are aligned with each other
to form a linear cutting path through the tissue. The return
electrode preferably comprises a conductive sleeve on the shaft
spaced proximally from the electrode terminal(s). The conductive
sleeve may be a separate conductive element attached to an
insulating shaft, or an exposed portion of a conductive shaft.
[0021] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
invention will become apparent by reference to the remaining
portions of the specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical system
for treating a patient's skin including an electrosurgical
generator and an electrosurgical probe or handpiece;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an
electrosurgical probe constructed according to the principles of
the present invention;
[0024] FIGS. 3A-3C are exploded, isometric views of the probe of
FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4 is an end view of the distal tip of the probe,
illustrating an electrode support with a plurality of electrode
terminals;
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates the electrical connections and the
electrode support of the handpiece in greater detail;
[0027] FIG. 6 is an end view of an exemplary electrode support
comprising a multi-layer wafer with plated conductors for
electrodes;
[0028] FIGS. 7 and 8 are side views of the electrode support of
FIG. 7;
[0029] FIGS. 9A-13A are side views of the individual wafer layers
of the electrode support;
[0030] FIGS. 9B-13B are cross-sectional views of the individual
wafer layers;
[0031] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an alternative multi-layer wafer
design according to the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 16A illustrates a method for treating the outer layer
of a patient's skin in a skin resurfacing procedure, wherein an
outer layer of epidermis is removed or ablated and the collagen
fibers in the underlying dermis are contracted;
[0033] FIG. 16B illustrates a illustrates a method for treating the
outer layer of a patient's skin in a skin resurfacing procedure
with an electrosurgical probe having a single, active electrode
terminal;
[0034] FIG. 17 illustrates a method of skin resurfacing wherein the
epidermal layer is separated from the papillary dermis, and then
removed by wiping away the separated layer;
[0035] FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate a method for treating a
vascular lesion;
[0036] FIG. 19 illustrates a method of removing scalp tissue and/or
hair according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
electrosurgical probe for applying high frequency voltage to tissue
layers on the skin;
[0038] FIG. 21 is a graph illustrating the electrical impedance of
tissue and isotonic saline with operating frequency;
[0039] FIG. 22 illustrates another embodiment of the probe of the
present invention, incorporating additional electrodes sized for
contraction of tissue;
[0040] FIG. 23 illustrates another embodiment of the probe of the
present invention, specifically designed for creating incisions in
external skin surfaces;
[0041] FIGS. 24-26 illustrates a method according to the present
invention for removing fatty tissue under the eyelids to treat
"baggy eyelids" syndrome;
[0042] FIG. 27 is a detailed end view of an electrosurgical probe
having an elongate, linear array of electrode terminals suitable
for use in surgical cutting;
[0043] FIG. 28 is a detailed view of a single electrode terminal
having a flattened end at its distal tip;
[0044] FIG. 29 is a detailed view of a single electrode terminal
having a pointed end at its distal tip;
[0045] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
electrosurgical probe for use in dermatology procedures; and
[0046] FIG. 31 is a detailed view of the distal portion of yet
another electrosurgical probe according to the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0047] The present invention provides systems and methods for
selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within
or on a patient's body, particularly including procedures on an
external body surface, such as epidermal and dermal tissues in the
skin, or the underlying cutaneous tissue. For convenience, the
remaining disclosure will be directed specifically to skin tissue
cutting, ablation, incising or removal in the epidermis or dermis,
e.g., the removal of pigmentations, vascular lesions (e.g., leg
veins), scars, tattoos, etc., and for other surgical procedures on
the skin, such as tissue rejuvenation, blepharoplasty, browlifts,
liposuction, cosmetic surgery, wrinkle removal, hair removal and/or
transplant procedures. However, it will be appreciated that the
system and method can be applied equally well to procedures
involving other tissues of the body, as well as to other procedures
including open surgery, arthroscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery,
thoracoscopic surgery, and other endoscopic surgical
procedures.
[0048] The present invention applies high frequency (RF) electrical
energy to one or more electrode terminals adjacent an external body
surface, such as the outer surface of the skin, to remove and/or
modify the structure of tissue structures within the skin.
Depending on the specific cosmetic procedure, the present invention
may be used to: (1) volumetrically remove tissue or hair (i.e.,
ablate or effect molecular dissociation of the tissue structure);
(2) decouple or separate a tissue layer from an underlying tissue
layer so that the tissue layer can later be removed; (3) shrink or
contract collagen connective tissue; (4) create precise incisions
in the external skin surface; and/or (5) coagulate blood vessels
underlying the surface of the skin.
[0049] In one method of the present invention, incisions are
created in the skin by volumetrically removing or ablating tissue
along a cutting path. In this procedure, a high frequency voltage
difference is applied between one or more electrode terminal(s) and
one or more return electrode(s) to develop high electric field
intensities in the vicinity of the target tissue site. The high
electric field intensities lead to electric field induced molecular
breakdown of target tissue through molecular dissociation (rather
than thermal evaporation or carbonization). Applicant believes that
the tissue structure is volumetrically removed through molecular
disintegration of larger organic molecules into smaller molecules
and/or atoms, such as hydrogen, oxides of carbon, hydrocarbons and
nitrogen compounds. This molecular disintegration completely
removes the tissue structure, as opposed to dehydrating the tissue
material by the removal of liquid within the cells of the tissue,
as is typically the case with electrosurgical desiccation and
vaporization.
[0050] The high electric field intensities may be generated by
applying a high frequency voltage that is sufficient to vaporize an
electrically conducting fluid over at least a portion of the
electrode terminal(s) in the region between the distal tip of the
electrode terminal(s) and the target tissue. The electrically
conductive fluid may be a liquid, such as isotonic saline,
delivered to the target site, or a viscous fluid, such as a gel,
that is located at the target site. In the latter embodiment, the
electrode terminal(s) are submersed in the electrically conductive
gel during the surgical procedure. Since the vapor layer or
vaporized region has a relatively high electrical impedance, it
increases the voltage differential between the electrode terminal
tip and the tissue and causes ionization within the vapor layer due
to the presence of an ionizable species (e.g., sodium when isotonic
saline is the electrically conducting fluid). This ionization,
under optimal conditions, induces the discharge of energetic
electrons and photons from the vapor layer and to the surface of
the target tissue. This energy may be in the form of energetic
photons (e.g., ultraviolet radiation), energetic particles (e.g.,
electrons) or a combination thereof. A more detailed description of
this phenomena can be found in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
5,683,366 the complete disclosure of which is-incorporated herein
by reference.
[0051] In the above procedure, it may also be desirable to effect
collagen shrinkage or contraction of the tissue layers underlying
the removed or ablated epidermal tissue. In these procedures, the
temperature of the electrode terminal(s) can be carefully
controlled such that sufficient thermal energy is transferred to
these underlying layers to contract the collagen connective tissue.
The thermal energy may be transferred directly through RF current
that passes through and resistively heats the underlying tissue
layers, or it may be transferred indirectly by heating the
electrically conducting fluid, and allowing the heated fluid to
contact the underlying layers after the epidermal layers have been
removed. A complete description of suitable methods of contracting
collagen tissue with RF energy is described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 08/942,580, filed on Oct. 2, 1997 (Attorney
Docket No. 16238-001300), the complete disclosure of which has
previously been incorporated herein by reference.
[0052] In other procedures, it may be desired to treat vascular
lesions, such as port wine stains, face veins, telangiectasis,
birth marks, varicose veins and the like. In these procedures,
electrical energy is applied to the vessel such that the energy is
absorbed in the blood, which coagulates and collapses the vessel.
The blood vessel may be accessed in a variety of manners. For
example, high frequency voltage may be applied to one or more
electrode terminals at the surface of the skin such that sufficient
thermal energy is delivered through the skin to the blood vessel to
coagulate the blood therein. Alternatively, the skin may be pierced
with the sharpened tip of a probe. In this method, the probe is
advanced to a location adjacent to the vessel to be treated, and
high frequency energy is applied to the distal end of the probe to
coagulate and collapse the vessel at that location. This procedure
may be repeated at multiple sites along the length of the vessel so
that it will collapse along its length.
[0053] In other methods, the high frequency voltage may be focused
onto a small spot on the surface of the skin over the vessel to be
treated such that a small volume (e.g., channel or hole) of skin is
ablated until the vessel is reached. Systems and methods for
forming channels or holes through tissue with electrical energy are
provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,366.
[0054] In one method of the present invention, one or more
electrode terminals are brought into close proximity to tissue at a
target site, and the power supply is activated in the ablation mode
such that sufficient voltage is applied between the electrode
terminals and the return electrode to volumetrically remove the
tissue through molecular dissociation, as described below. During
this process, vessels within the tissue will be severed. Smaller
vessels will be automatically sealed with the system and method of
the present invention. Larger vessels, and those with a higher flow
rate, such as arterial vessels, may not be automatically sealed in
the ablation mode. In these cases, the severed vessels may be
sealed by activating a control (e.g., a foot pedal) to reduce the
voltage of the power supply into the coagulation mode. In this
mode, the electrode terminals may be pressed against the severed
vessel to provide sealing and/or coagulation of the vessel.
Alternatively, a coagulation electrode located on the same or a
different instrument may be pressed against the severed vessel.
Once the vessel is adequately sealed, the surgeon activates a
control (e.g., another foot pedal) to increase the voltage of the
power supply back into the ablation mode.
[0055] The present invention is also useful for cutting or incising
tissue around nerves, such as cranial nerves, e.g., facial nerves,
vestibulocochlear nerves and the like. One of the significant
drawbacks with the prior art RF devices and lasers is that these
devices do not differentiate between the target tissue and the
surrounding nerves or bone. Therefore, the surgeon must be
extremely careful during these procedures to avoid damage to the
nerves within and around the target site. In the present invention,
the Coblation.TM. process for removing tissue results in extremely
small depths of collateral tissue damage as discussed above. This
allows the surgeon to remove or cut tissue close to a nerve without
causing collateral damage to the nerve fibers.
[0056] In addition to the generally precise nature of the novel
mechanisms of the present invention, applicant has discovered an
additional method of ensuring that adjacent nerves are not damaged
during tissue removal. According to the present invention, systems
and methods are provided for distinguishing between the fatty
tissue immediately surrounding nerve fibers and the normal tissue
that is to be removed during the procedure. Nerves usually comprise
a connective tissue sheath, or epineurium, enclosing the bundles of
nerve fibers, each bundle being surrounded by its own sheath of
connective tissue (the perineurium) to protect these nerve fibers.
The outer protective tissue sheath or epineurium typically
comprises a fatty tissue (e.g., adipose tissue) having
substantially different electrical properties than the normal
target tissue, such as the turbinates, polyps, mucus tissue or the
like, that are, for example, removed from the nose during sinus
procedures. The system of the present invention measures the
electrical properties of the tissue at the tip of the probe with
one or more electrode terminal(s). These electrical properties may
include electrical conductivity at one, several or a range of
frequencies (e.g., in the range from 1 kHz to 100 MHz), dielectric
constant, capacitance or combinations of these. In this embodiment,
an audible signal may be produced when the sensing electrode(s) at
the tip of the probe detects the fatty tissue surrounding a nerve,
or direct feedback control can be provided to only supply power to
the electrode terminal(s) either individually or to the complete
array of electrodes, if and when the tissue encountered at the tip
or working end of the probe is normal tissue based on the measured
electrical properties.
[0057] In addition to the above, applicant has discovered that the
Coblation.TM. mechanism of the present invention can be manipulated
to ablate or cut certain tissue structures, while having little
effect on other tissue structures. As discussed above, the present
invention uses a technique of vaporizing electrically conductive
fluid to form a plasma layer or pocket around the electrode
terminal(s), and then inducing the discharge of energy from this
plasma or vapor layer to break the molecular bonds of the tissue
structure. Based on initial experiments, applicants believe that
the free electrons within the ionized vapor layer are accelerated
in the high electric fields near the electrode tip(s). When the
density of the vapor layer (or within a bubble formed in the
electrically conducting liquid) becomes sufficiently low (i.e.,
less than approximately 10.sup.20 atoms/cm.sup.3 for aqueous
solutions), the electron mean free path increases to enable
subsequently injected electrons to cause impact ionization within
these regions of low density (i.e., vapor layers or bubbles).
Energy evolved by the energetic electrons (e.g., 4 to 5 eV) can
subsequently bombard a molecule and break its bonds, dissociating a
molecule into free radicals, which then combine into final gaseous
or liquid species.
[0058] The energy evolved by the energetic electrons may be varied
by adjusting a variety of factors, such as: the number of electrode
terminals; electrode size and spacing; electrode surface area;
asperities and sharp edges on the electrode surfaces; electrode
materials; applied voltage and power; current limiting means, such
as inductors; electrical conductivity of the fluid in contact with
the electrodes; density of the fluid; and other factors.
Accordingly, these factors can be manipulated to control the energy
level of the excited electrons. Since different tissue structures
have different molecular bonds, the present invention can be
configured to break the molecular bonds of certain tissue, while
having too low an energy to break the molecular bonds of other
tissue. For example, fatty tissue, (e.g., adipose) tissue has
double bonds that require a substantially higher energy level than
4 to 5 eV to break. Accordingly, the present invention in its
current configuration generally does not ablate or remove such
fatty tissue. Of course, factors may be changed such that these
double bonds can also be broken in a similar fashion as the single
bonds (e.g., increasing voltage or changing the electrode
configuration to increase the current density at the electrode
tips). A more complete description of this phenomena can be found
in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/032,375, filed
Feb. 27, 1998 (Attorney Docket No. CB-3), the complete disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0059] The present invention also provides systems, apparatus and
methods for selectively removing tumors, e.g., facial tumors, or
other undesirable body structures while minimizing the spread of
viable cells from the tumor. Conventional techniques for removing
such tumors generally result in the production of smoke in the
surgical setting, termed an electrosurgical or laser plume, which
can spread intact, viable bacterial or viral particles from the
tumor or lesion to the surgical team or to other portions of the
patient's body. This potential spread of viable cells or particles
has resulted in increased concerns over the proliferation of
certain debilitating and fatal diseases, such as hepatitis, herpes,
HIV and papillomavirus. In the present invention, high frequency
voltage is applied between the electrode terminal(s) and one or
more return electrode(s) to volumetrically remove at least a
portion of the tissue cells in the tumor through the dissociation
or disintegration of organic molecules into non-viable atoms and
molecules. Specifically, the present invention converts the solid
tissue cells into non-condensable gases that are no longer intact
or viable, and thus, not capable of spreading viable tumor
particles to other portions of the patient's brain or to the
surgical staff. The high frequency voltage is preferably selected
to effect controlled removal of these tissue cells while minimizing
substantial tissue necrosis to surrounding or underlying tissue. A
more complete description of this phenomena can be found in
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/109,219, filed Jun.
30, 1998 (Attorney Docket No. CB-1), the complete disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference
[0060] The electrosurgical probe will comprise a shaft or a
handpiece having a proximal end and a distal end which supports one
or more electrode terminal(s). The shaft or handpiece may assume a
wide variety of configurations, with the primary purpose being to
mechanically support the active electrode and permit the treating
physician to manipulate the electrode from a proximal end of the
shaft. For dermatology procedures, the shaft will have any suitable
length and diameter that would facilitate handling by the
surgeon.
[0061] The present invention may use a single active electrode
terminal or an electrode array distributed over a contact surface
of a probe. In the latter embodiment, the electrode array usually
includes a plurality of independently current-limited and/or
power-controlled electrode terminals to apply electrical energy
selectively to the target tissue while limiting the unwanted
application of electrical energy to the surrounding tissue and
environment resulting from power dissipation into surrounding
electrically conductive liquids, such as blood, normal saline,
electrically conductive gel and the like. The electrode terminals
may be independently current-limited by isolating the terminals
from each other and connecting each terminal to a separate power
source that is isolated from the other electrode terminals.
Alternatively, the electrode terminals may be connected to each
other at either the proximal or distal ends of the probe to form a
single wire that couples to a power source.
[0062] The electrode terminal(s) are preferably supported within or
by an inorganic insulating support positioned near the distal end
of the instrument shaft. The return electrode may be located on the
instrument shaft, on another instrument or on the external surface
of the patient (i.e., a dispersive pad). The close proximity of
nerves and other sensitive tissue in the face, however, makes a
bipolar design more preferable because this minimizes the current
flow through facial tissue and surrounding nerves. Accordingly, the
return electrode is preferably either integrated with the
instrument body, or another instrument located in close proximity
to the distal end of the instrument. The proximal end of the
instrument will include the appropriate electrical connections for
coupling the return electrode(s) and the electrode terminal(s) to a
high frequency power supply, such as an electrosurgical
generator.
[0063] The current flow path between the electrode terminals and
the return electrode(s) may be generated by submerging the tissue
site in an electrical conducting fluid (e.g., within a viscous
fluid, such as an electrically conductive gel) or by directing an
electrically conducting fluid along a fluid path to the target site
(i.e., a liquid, such as isotonic saline, or a gas, such as argon).
The conductive gel may also be delivered to the target site to
achieve a slower more controlled delivery rate of conductive fluid.
In addition, the viscous nature of the gel may allow the surgeon to
more easily contain the gel around the target site (e.g., rather
than attempting to contain isotonic saline). A more complete
description of an exemplary method of directing electrically
conducting fluid between the active and return electrodes is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,281, previously incorporated
herein by reference. Alternatively, the body's natural conductive
fluids, such as blood, may be sufficient to establish a conductive
path between the return electrode(s) and the electrode terminal(s),
and to provide the conditions for establishing a vapor layer, as
described above. However, conductive fluid that is introduced to
the patient is generally preferred over blood because blood will
tend to coagulate at certain temperatures. Advantageously, a liquid
electrically conductive fluid (e.g., isotonic saline) may be used
to concurrently "bathe" the target tissue surface to provide an
additional means for removing any tissue, and to cool the region of
the target tissue ablated in the previous moment.
[0064] The power supply may include a fluid interlock for
interrupting power to the electrode terminal(s) when there is
insufficient conductive fluid around the electrode terminal(s).
This ensures that the instrument will not be activated when
conductive fluid is not present, minimizing the tissue damage that
may otherwise occur. A more complete description of such a fluid
interlock can be found in commonly assigned, co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/058,336, filed Apr. 10, 1998 (attorney
Docket No. CB-4), the complete disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0065] In some procedures, it may also be necessary to retrieve or
aspirate the electrically conductive fluid, the non-condensable
gaseous products of ablation and/or fatty tissue fragments that
have not been completed ablated in situ. For example, in
blepharoplasty procedures, it may be desired to remove the
underlying fatty tissue from the patient's eyelids with the present
invention. This may be accomplished by first breaking down this
tissue with the Coblation mechanism of the present invention, and
then aspirated the remaining tissue fragments from the patient.
Accordingly, the system of the present invention may include one or
more suction lumen(s) in the instrument, or on another instrument,
coupled to a suitable vacuum source for aspirating fluids from the
target site. In addition, the invention may include one or more
aspiration electrode(s) coupled to the distal end of the suction
lumen for ablating, or at least reducing the volume of, non-ablated
tissue fragments that are aspirated into the lumen. The aspiration
electrode(s) function mainly to inhibit clogging of the lumen that
may otherwise occur as larger tissue fragments are drawn therein.
The aspiration electrode(s) may be different from the ablation
electrode terminal(s), or the same electrode(s) may serve both
functions. A more complete description of instruments incorporating
aspiration electrode(s) can be found in commonly assigned,
co-pending patent application entitled "Systems And Methods For
Tissue Resection, Ablation And Aspiration", filed Jan. 21, 1998,
the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0066] In one configuration, each individual electrode terminal in
the electrode array is electrically insulated from all other
electrode terminals in the array within said probe and is connected
to a power source which is isolated from each of the other
electrode terminals in the array or to circuitry which limits or
interrupts current flow to the electrode terminal when low
resistivity material (e.g., blood, electrically conductive saline
irrigant or electrically conductive gel) causes a lower impedance
path between the return electrode and the individual electrode
terminal. The isolated power sources for each individual electrode
terminal may be separate power supply circuits having internal
impedance characteristics which limit power to the associated
electrode terminal when a low impedance return path is encountered.
By way of example, the isolated power source may be a user
selectable constant current source. In this embodiment, lower
impedance paths will automatically result in lower resistive
heating levels since the heating is proportional to the square of
the operating current times the impedance. Alternatively, a single
power source may be connected to each of the electrode terminals
through independently actuatable switches, or by independent
current limiting elements, such as inductors, capacitors, resistors
and/or combinations thereof. The current limiting elements may be
provided in the probe, connectors, cable, controller or along the
conductive path from the controller to the distal tip of the probe.
Alternatively, the resistance and/or capacitance may occur on the
surface of the active electrode terminal(s) due to oxide layers
which form selected electrode terminals (e.g., titanium or a
resistive coating on the surface of metal, such as platinum).
[0067] The tip region of the probe may comprise many independent
electrode terminals designed to deliver electrical energy in the
vicinity of the tip. The selective application of electrical energy
to the conductive fluid is achieved by connecting each individual
electrode terminal and the return electrode to a power source
having independently controlled or current limited channels. The
return electrode may be a tubular member of conductive material
proximal to the electrode array at the tip which also serves as a
conduit for the supply of the electrically conducting fluid between
the active and return electrodes. The application of high frequency
voltage between the return electrode and the electrode array
results in the generation of high electric field intensities at the
distal tips of the electrode terminals with conduction of high
frequency current from each individual electrode terminal to the
return electrode. The current flow from each individual electrode
terminal to the return electrode is controlled by either active or
passive means, or a combination thereof, to deliver electrical
energy to the surrounding conductive fluid while minimizing energy
delivery to surrounding (non-target) tissue.
[0068] The application of a high frequency voltage between the
return electrode and the electrode array for appropriate time
intervals effects heating of the conductive fluid and contraction
of the target tissue. The tissue volume over which energy is
dissipated (i.e., a high current density exists) may be precisely
controlled, for example, by the use of a multiplicity of small
electrode terminals whose effective diameters or principal
dimensions range from about 10 mm to 0.01 mm, preferably from about
5 mm to 0.05 mm, and more preferably from about 3 mm to 0.1 mm.
Electrode areas for both circular and non-circular terminals will
have a contact area (per electrode terminal) below 25 mm.sup.2,
preferably being in the range from 0.0001 mm.sup.2 to 1 mm.sup.2,
and more preferably from 0.005 mm.sup.2 to 0.5 mm.sup.2. The
circumscribed area of the electrode array is in the range from 0.25
mm.sup.2 to 75 mm.sup.2, preferably from 0.5 mm.sup.2 to 40
mm.sup.2, and will usually include at least two isolated electrode
terminals and preferably about three electrode terminals. Of
course, the array may include more than three electrode terminals
(e.g., 50 or more electrode terminals) disposed over the distal
contact surfaces on the shaft. The use of small diameter electrode
terminals increases the electric field intensity and reduces the
extent or depth of tissue heating as a consequence of the
divergence of current flux lines which emanate from the exposed
surface of each electrode terminal.
[0069] The electrode terminal(s) are formed over a tissue treatment
surface on the shaft of the electrosurgical probe. The return
electrode surface will be recessed relative to the distal end of
the probe and may be recessed within a fluid conduit provided for
the introduction of electrically conducting fluid to the site of
the target tissue and electrode terminal(s).
[0070] The area of the tissue treatment surface can vary widely,
and the tissue treatment surface can assume a variety of
geometries, with particular areas and geometries being selected for
specific applications. Active electrode surfaces can have areas in
the range from 0.25 mm.sup.2 to 75 mm.sup.2, usually being from
about 0.5 mm to 40 mm.sup.2. The geometries can be planar, concave,
convex, hemispherical, conical, linear "in-line" array or virtually
any other regular or irregular shape. Most commonly, the active
electrode(s) or electrode terminal(s) will be formed at the distal
tip of the electrosurgical probe shaft, frequently being planar,
disk-shaped, or hemispherical surfaces for use in reshaping
procedures or being linear arrays for use in cutting. Alternatively
or additionally, the active electrode(s) may be formed on lateral
surfaces of the electrosurgical probe shaft (e.g., in the manner of
a spatula), facilitating access to certain body structures in
endoscopic procedures.
[0071] In the representative embodiment, the electrode array
comprises a plurality of substantially elongate electrode terminals
spaced on the contact surface of the shaft. Preferably, the contact
surface is an electrically insulating electrode support member
extending from the shaft of the probe. The elongate electrode
terminals will typically have a length of about 0.5 to 30 mm,
preferably about 1 to 15 mm and more preferably about 3 to 7 mm.
The width of the elongate electrode terminals is usually about 0.01
to 2 mm, preferably about 0.05 to 1 mm, and more preferably about
0.1 to 0.5 mm. The elongate electrode terminals will be spaced from
each other by a distance of about 0.05 to 4 mm, preferably about
0.1 mm to 2 mm. Although the array may comprise one electrode
terminal or over 50 electrode terminals, applicant has found that
two to ten electrode terminals provides a substantially uniform
application of energy to the tissue at the treatment site.
[0072] In the exemplary embodiment, the electrode support comprises
a plurality of wafer layers bonded together, e.g., by a glass
adhesive or the like. The wafer layers each have conductive strips
printed thereon to form the electrode terminal(s) and the return
electrode(s). In one embodiment, the proximal end of the wafer
layers will have a number of holes extending from the conductor
strips to an exposed surface of the wafer layers for connection to
electrical conductor lead traces in the electrosurgical probe or
handpiece. The wafer layers preferably comprise a ceramic material,
such as alumina, and the electrode will preferably comprise a
metallic material, such as gold, platinum, palladium, tungsten,
silver or the like. Suitable multilayer ceramic electrodes are
commercially available from e.g., VisPro Corporation of Beaverton,
Oreg.
[0073] The electrically conducting fluid should have a threshold
conductivity to provide a suitable conductive path between the
return electrode and the electrode terminal(s). The electrical
conductivity of the fluid (in units of milliSiemans per centimeter
or mS/cm) will usually be greater than 0.2 mS/cm, preferably will
be greater than 2 mS/cm and more preferably greater than 10 mS/cm.
In an exemplary embodiment, the electrically conductive fluid is
isotonic saline, which has a conductivity of about 17 mS/cm.
Alternatively, the fluid may be an electrically conductive gel or
spray, such as a saline electrolyte gel, a conductive ECG spray, an
electrode conductivity gel, an ultrasound transmission or scanning
gel, or the like. Suitable gels or sprays are commercially
available from Graham-Field, Inc. of Hauppauge, N.Y.
[0074] In some embodiments, the electrode support and the fluid
outlet may be recessed from an outer surface of the probe or
handpiece to confine the electrically conductive fluid to the
region immediately surrounding the electrode support. In addition,
the shaft may be shaped so as to form a cavity around the electrode
support and the fluid outlet. This helps to assure that the
electrically conductive fluid will remain in contact with the
electrode terminal(s) and the return electrode(s) to maintain the
conductive path therebetween. In addition, this will help to
maintain a vapor or plasma layer between the electrode terminal(s)
and the tissue at the treatment site throughout the procedure,
which reduces the thermal damage that might otherwise occur if the
vapor layer were extinguished due to a lack of conductive fluid.
The electrically conductive fluid also helps maintain the tissue
temperature as low as possible during the procedure.
[0075] The voltage applied between the return electrode and the
electrode array will be at high or radio frequency, typically
between about 5 kHz and 20 MHz, usually being between about 30 kHz
and 2.5 MHz, preferably being between about 50 kHz and 500 kHz,
more preferably less than 350 kHz, and most preferably between
about 100 kHz and 200 kHz. The RMS (root mean square) voltage
applied will usually be in the range from about 5 volts to 1000
volts, preferably being in the range from about 10 volts to 500
volts depending on the electrode terminal size, the operating
frequency and the operation mode of the particular procedure or
desired effect on the tissue (i.e., contraction, coagulation or
ablation). Typically, the peak-to-peak voltage will be in the range
of 10 to 2000 volts and preferably in the range of 20 to 1200 volts
and more preferably in the range of about 40 to 800 volts (again,
depending on the electrode size, the operating frequency and the
operation mode).
[0076] An important aspect of the present invention is the
discovery that the frequency of the output voltage of the generator
can be selected to control the depth of tissue heating. Referring
to FIG. 21, the electrical impedance of tissue is known to decrease
with increasing frequency due to the electrical properties of cell
membranes which surround electrically conductive cellular fluid. As
shown, the electrical impedance of tissue to current at a frequency
of 100 kHz is on the order of four times larger than at a frequency
of 450 to 500 kHz. As a result of the higher tissue impedance, the
current flux lines tend to penetrate less deeply resulting in a
smaller depth of tissue heating. This principle of operation of the
present invention can be used to advantage in applications where
the depth of tissue heating is to be maintained small (e.g., 0.2 to
0.5 mm). Preferably, the operating frequency should be below 350
kHz for applications requiring shallow depths of tissue heating
(e.g., less than 1.5 mm). Conversely, in situations where much
larger depths of tissue heating are to be effected, a higher output
voltage frequency may be used. By way of example, to achieve
therapeutic collagen shrinkage to a depth of 1.5 to 3.0 mm, a
higher operating frequency may be used (e.g., 500 kHz).
Alternatively, the diameter of the electrode terminals and/or the
spacing between the outer perimeter of the electrode terminals and
the electrode support member may be selected to increase the depth
of current penetration. By way of example, increasing the distance
between the outer perimeter of the support member and the electrode
terminals will increase the depth of heating for a given operating
frequency.
[0077] As discussed above, the voltage is usually delivered in a
series of voltage pulses or alternating current of time varying
voltage amplitude with a sufficiently high frequency (e.g., on the
order of 5 kHz to 20 MHz) such that the voltage is effectively
applied continuously (as compared with e.g., lasers claiming small
depths of necrosis, which are generally pulsed about 10 to 20 Hz).
In addition, the duty cycle (i.e., cumulative time in any
one-second interval that energy is applied) is on the order of
about 50% for the present invention, as compared with pulsed lasers
which typically have a duty cycle of about 0.0001%.
[0078] The preferred power source of the present invention delivers
a high frequency current selectable to generate average power
levels ranging from several milliwatts to tens of watts per
electrode, depending on the volume of target tissue being heated,
the total number of electrode(s) and/or the maximum allowed
temperature selected for the probe tip. The power source allows the
user to select the voltage level according to the specific
requirements of a particular arthroscopic surgery, cosmetic
surgery, dermatological procedure, ophthalmic procedures, open
surgery or other endoscopic surgery procedure. A description of a
suitable power source can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/062,997, filed on Oct. 23, 1997 (Attorney Docket
No. 16238-007400), the complete disclosure of which has been
previously incorporated herein by reference.
[0079] The power source may be current limited or otherwise
controlled so that undesired heating of the target tissue or
surrounding (non-target) tissue does not occur. In a presently
preferred embodiment of the present invention, current limiting
inductors are placed in series with each independent electrode
terminal, where the inductance of the inductor is in the range of
10 uH to 50,000 uH, depending on the electrical properties of the
target tissue, the size of the electrode terminal(s), the desired
tissue heating rate and the operating frequency. Alternatively,
capacitor-inductor (LC) circuit structures may be employed, as
described previously in co-pending PCT application No.
PCT/US94/05168, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference. Additionally, current limiting resistors may
be selected. Preferably, these resistors will have a large positive
temperature coefficient of resistance so that, as the current level
begins to rise for any individual electrode terminal in contact
with a low resistance medium (e.g., saline irrigant or conductive
gel), the resistance of the current limiting resistor increases
significantly, thereby minimizing the power delivery from said
electrode terminal into the low resistance medium (e.g., saline
irrigant or conductive gel).
[0080] It should be clearly understood that the invention is not
limited to electrically isolated electrode terminals, or even to a
plurality of electrode terminals. For example, the array of active
electrode terminals may be connected to a single lead that extends
through the probe shaft to a power source of high frequency
current. Alternatively, the probe may incorporate a single
electrode that extends directly through the probe shaft or is
connected to a single lead that extends to the power source.
[0081] During the surgical procedure, the distal end of the probe
or the electrode terminal(s) may be maintained at a small distance
away from the target tissue surface. This small spacing allows for
the continual resupply of electrically conducting fluid into the
interface between the electrode terminal(s) and the target tissue
surface. This continual resupply of the electrically conducting
fluid helps to ensure that the thin vapor layer will remain between
electrode terminal(s) and the tissue surface. In addition, dynamic
movement of the electrode terminal(s) over the tissue site allows
the electrically conducting fluid to cool the tissue underlying and
surrounding the target tissue to minimize thermal damage to this
surrounding and underlying tissue. To that end, the electrically
conducting fluid may be cooled to facilitate this cooling of the
tissue. Typically, the active electrode(s) will be about 0.02 to 2
mm from the target tissue and preferably about 0.05 to 0.5 mm
during the ablation process. One method of maintaining this space
is to translate and/or rotate the probe transversely relative to
the tissue, i.e., a light brushing motion, to maintain a thin
vaporized layer or region between the active electrode and the
tissue. Of course, if coagulation or collagen shrinkage of a deeper
region of tissue is necessary (e.g., for sealing a bleeding vessel
imbedded within the tissue), it may be desirable to press the
electrode terminal(s) against the tissue to effect joulean heating
therein.
[0082] Referring to FIG. 1, an electrosurgical system 11 generally
comprises an electrosurgical handpiece or probe 10 connected to a
power supply 28 for providing high frequency voltage to a target
site and a fluid source 21 for supplying electrically conducting
fluid 50 to probe 10. Probe 10 generally includes a proximal handle
12 and a distal tip 13 having an electrode support member 70 with
one or an array of electrode terminals 58 and one or more return
electrodes 100, 102 (see FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) disposed on the support
member 70. A connecting cable 34 has a connector 26 for
electrically coupling the electrodes in probe 10 to power supply
28. The electrode terminals 58 are electrically isolated from each
other and each of the terminals 58 is connected to an active or
passive control network within power supply 28 by means of a
plurality of individually insulated conductors (not shown). A fluid
supply tube 15 is connected to a fluid tube 110 of probe 10 for
supplying electrically conducting fluid 50 to the distal tip 13
(see FIGS. 16 and 17).
[0083] Power supply 28 has an operator controllable voltage level
adjustment 30 to change the applied voltage level, which is
observable at a voltage level display 32. Power supply 28 also
includes first, second and third foot pedals 37, 38, 39 and a cable
36 which is removably coupled to power supply 28. The foot pedals
37, 38, 39 allow the surgeon to remotely adjusting the energy level
applied to electrode terminals 58. In an exemplary embodiment,
first foot pedal 37 is used to place the power supply into the
"ablation" mode and second foot pedal 38 places power supply 28
into the "coagulation" mode. The third foot pedal 39 allows the
user to adjust the voltage level within the "ablation" mode. In the
ablation mode, a sufficient voltage is applied to the electrode
terminals to establish the requisite conditions for molecular
dissociation of the tissue (i.e., vaporizing a portion of the
electrically conductive fluid, ionizing the vapor layer and
accelerating these charged particles against the tissue). As
discussed above, the requisite voltage level for ablation will vary
depending on the number, size, shape and spacing of the electrodes,
the distance in which the electrodes extend from the support
member, etc. When the surgeon is using the power supply in the
"ablation" mode, voltage level adjustment 30 or third foot pedal 39
may be used to adjust the voltage level to adjust the degree or
aggressiveness of the ablation.
[0084] Of course, it will be recognized that the voltage and
modality of the power supply may be controlled by other input
devices. However, applicant has found that foot pedals are
convenient methods of controlling the power supply while
manipulating the probe during a surgical procedure.
[0085] In the coagulation mode, the power supply 28 applies a low
enough voltage to one or more electrode terminals (or one or more
coagulation electrodes) to avoid vaporization of the electrically
conductive fluid, formation of a plasma and subsequent molecular
dissociation of the tissue. The surgeon may automatically toggle
the power supply between the ablation and coagulation modes by
alternatively stepping on foot pedals 37, 38, respectively. This
allows the surgeon to quickly move between coagulation and ablation
in situ, without having to remove his/her concentration from the
surgical field or without having to request an assistant to switch
the power supply. By way of example, as the surgeon is sculpting
soft tissue in the ablation mode, the probe typically will
simultaneously seal and/or coagulate small severed vessels within
the tissue. However, larger vessels, or vessels with high fluid
pressures (e.g., arterial vessels) may not be sealed in the
ablation mode. Accordingly, the surgeon can simply step on foot
pedal 38, automatically lowering the voltage level below the
threshold level for ablation, and apply sufficient pressure onto
the severed vessel for a sufficient period of time to seal and/or
coagulate the vessel. After this is completed, the surgeon may
quickly move back into the ablation mode by stepping on foot pedal
37. A specific design of a suitable power supply for use with the
present invention can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/062,997, filed Oct. 23, 1997 (attorney docket
no. 16238-007400).
[0086] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, an exemplary electrosurgical
probe 10 comprises a shaft or disposable tip 13 removably coupled
to a proximal handle 12, and an electrically insulating electrode
support member 70 extending from tip 13 for supporting a plurality
of electrode terminals 58 (see FIGS. 2 and 5). Tip 13 and handle 12
typically comprise a plastic material that is easily molded into a
suitable shape for handling by the surgeon. As shown in FIGS. 3 and
5, handle 12 defines an inner cavity 72 that houses the electrical
connections 74 (discussed below in reference to FIG. 5), and
provides a suitable interface for connection to electrical
connecting cable 34 (see FIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment,
handle 12 is constructed of a steam autoclavable plastic or metal
(e.g., polyethylether keytone, or a stable metal alloy containing
aluminum and/or zine. so that it can be re-used by sterilizing
handle 12 between surgical procedures. High service temperature
materials are preferred, such as a silicone cable jacket and a
poly-ether-imide handpiece or ULTEM.RTM. that can withstand a
repeated exposure to high temperatures.
[0087] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, tip 13 preferably comprises first
and second housing halves 200, 202 that snap fit together, and form
a recess 204 therebetween for holding electrode support member 70
within the tip 13. Electrode support member 70 extends from the
distal end of tip 13 (usually about 0.5 to 20 mm), and provides
support for a plurality of electrically isolated electrode
terminals 58 and one or more return electrodes 100, 102 (see FIG.
4) Alternatively, electrode support member 70 may be recessed from
the distal end of tip 13 to help confine the electrically
conductive fluid around the electrode terminals 58 during the
surgical procedure, as discussed above. Electrode support member 70
has a substantially planar tissue treatment surface 80 that is
usually disposed at an angle of about 10 to 90 degrees relative to
the longitudinal axis of handle 12 to facilitate handling by the
surgeon. In the exemplary embodiment, this function is accomplished
by orienting tip 13 at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal
axis of handle 12.
[0088] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5, probe 10 includes
first and second return electrodes 100, 102 for completing the
current path between electrode terminals 58 and power supply 28
(see FIG. 1). As shown, return electrodes 100, 102 preferably have
fluid contact surfaces on either lateral surface 104, 106 of
electrode support member 70 slightly proximal to tissue treatment
surface 80, typically about 0.1 to 2 mm, preferably about 0.2 to 1
mm. Return electrodes 100, 102 will usually have an exposed surface
area of about 5 mm2 to 25 mm2, preferably about 18 mm2 to about 20
mm2. Return electrodes 100, 102 are coupled to a connector 104
(details of this connection discussed below) that extends to the
proximal end of handle 13, where it is suitably connected to power
supply 28 (FIG. 1).
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C and FIG. 5, tip 13 further includes
a proximal hub 206 for supporting a male electrical connector 208
that holds a plurality of wires 210 each coupled to one of the
electrode terminals 58 and the return electrodes 100, 102 on
support member 70 (see FIGS. 7-13 for details of the representative
support member 70). A female connector 220 housed within handle 12
is removably coupled to male connector 208, and a plurality of
wires 222 extend from female connector 220 through a strain relief
224 to cable 34. Both sets of wires 210, 222 are insulated to
prevent shorting in the event of fluid ingress into the probe 10.
This design allows for removable connection of the electrodes in
tip 13 with the connector 220 within handle 12 so that the handle
can be re-used with different tips 13. Probe 10 will preferably
also include an identification element, such as a coded resistor
(not shown), for programming a particular voltage output range and
mode of operation for the power supply. This allows the power
supply to be employed with a variety of different probes for a
variety of different applications.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 5, return electrodes 100, 102 are not
directly connected to electrode terminals 58. To complete this
current path so that electrode terminals 58 are electrically
connected to return electrodes 102, 100, electrically conducting
fluid (e.g., isotonic saline or electrically conducting gel) is
located between the active and return electrodes during a surgical
procedure. In the representative embodiment, probe 10 includes a
fluid tube 110 (FIG. 2) for delivering electrically conductive
fluid to the target site. Fluid tube 110 is sized to extend through
a groove 114 in handle 13 and through an inner cavity 112 (FIG. 3
and FIGS. 4A-4C) in tip 12 to a distal opening 114 (FIG. 4) located
adjacent electrode support member 70. Tube 110 extends all the way
through inner cavity 112 to opening 114 to eliminate any possible
fluid ingress into cavity 112. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, fluid
tube 110 includes a proximal connector 112 for coupling to an
electrically conductive fluid source 21.
[0091] Probe 10 will also include a valve or equivalent structure
for controlling the flow rate of the electrically conducting fluid
to the target site. In the representative embodiment shown in FIGS.
4A-4C, handle 12 comprises a main body 130 coupled between distal
hub 118 and strain relief 120, and a rotatable sleeve 116 around
main body 130. Distal hub 118 has an opening 119 for receiving
proximal hub 206 of tip 13 for removably coupling the tip 13 to the
handle 12. Sleeve 116 is rotatably coupled to strain relief 120 and
distal hub 118 to provide a valve structure for fluid tube 110. As
shown in FIG. 2, fluid tube 110 extends through groove 114 from
strain relief 120, through main body 130 and distal hub 120 to tip
13. Rotation of sleeve 116 will impede, and eventually obstruct,
the flow of fluid through tube 110. Of course, this fluid control
may be provided by a variety of other input and valve devices, such
as switches, buttons, etc.
[0092] In alternative embodiments, the fluid path may be directly
formed in probe 10 by, for example, a central inner lumen or an
annular gap (not shown) within the handle and the tip. This inner
lumen may be formed near the perimeter of the probe 10 such that
the electrically conducting fluid tends to flow radially inward
towards the target site, or it may be formed towards the center of
probe 10 so that the fluid flows radially outward. In addition, the
electrically conducting fluid may be delivered from a fluid
delivery element (not shown) that is separate from probe 10. In
arthroscopic surgery, for example, the body cavity will be flooded
with isotonic saline and the probe 10 will be introduced into this
flooded cavity. Electrically conducting fluid will be continually
resupplied to maintain the conduction path between return
electrodes 100, 102 and electrode terminals 58. A more complete
description of alternative electrosurgical probes incorporating one
or more fluid lumen(s) can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,281, the
complete disclosure of which has previously been incorporated
herein by reference.
[0093] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, electrically isolated electrode
terminals 58 are spaced apart over tissue treatment surface 80 of
electrode support member 70. In the representative embodiment, the
tissue treatment surface 80 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape
with a length L in the range of about 0.5 mm to 20 mm (preferably
about 2 to 10 mm) and a width W in the range from 0.3 mm to 10 mm
(preferably about 0.5 to 4 mm). The individual electrode terminals
58 have the dimensions described above, and are preferably
substantially flush with tissue treatment surface 80. Applicant has
found that this configuration minimizes any sharp electrode edges
and/or corners that would promote excessively high electric field
intensities and associated current densities when a high frequency
voltage is applied to the electrode terminals, thereby minimizing
the rate of ablation as preferred for removing thin layers of
tissue (e.g., epidermal layers).
[0094] It should be noted that the electrode terminals 58 may
protrude slightly outward from surface 80, typically by a distance
from 0 mm to 2 mm, or the terminals may be recessed from this
surface. For example, the electrode terminals 58 may be recessed by
a distance from 0.01 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.01 mm to 0.2 mm. In
one embodiment of the invention, the electrode terminals are
axially adjustable relative to the tissue treatment surface so that
the surgeon can adjust the distance between the surface and the
electrode terminals.
[0095] Referring now to FIGS. 7-13, an exemplary electrode support
member 70 will be described in detail. As shown, electrode support
member 70 preferably comprises a multilayer substrate comprising a
suitable high temperature, electrically insulating material, such
as ceramic. The multilayer substrate is a thin or thick-film hybrid
having conductive strips that are adhered to the ceramic wafer
layers (e.g., thick-film printed and fired onto or plated onto the
ceramic wafers). The conductive strips typically comprise tungsten,
gold, nickel, silver, platinum or equivalent materials. In the
exemplary embodiment, the conductive strips comprise gold, and they
are co-fired together with the wafer layers to form an integral
package. The conductive strips are coupled to external wire
connectors by holes or vias that are drilled through the ceramic
layers, and plated or otherwise covered with conductive
material.
[0096] In the representative embodiment, support member 70
comprises five ceramic layers 200, 202, 204, 206, 208 (see FIGS.
9-13), three gold plated electrode terminals 210, 212, 214 and
first and second gold plated return electrodes 216, 218. As shown
in FIGS. 8A, 9A and 9B, a first ceramic layer 200, which is one of
the outer layers of support 70, includes first gold plated return
electrode 216 on a lateral surface 220 thereof. First ceramic layer
200 further includes a gold conductive strip 222 extending from
return electrode 216 to the proximal end of the layer 200 for
coupling to a lead wire (not shown), and three gold conductive
lines 224, 226, 228 extending from a mid-portion of the layer 200
to its proximal end. Conductive strips 224, 226, 228 are each
coupled to one of the electrode terminals 210, 212, 214 by
conductive holes or vias 230, 232, 234, respectively. As shown, all
three vias 230, 232, 234 extend through wafer layer 200.
[0097] Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a second wafer layer 202 is
bonded between the outer wafer layer 200 and a middle wafer layer
204 (FIGS. 11A and 11B). As shown, first electrode terminal 210 is
attached to the distal surface of second wafer layer 202, and a
conductive strip 240 extends to via 230 to couple electrode
terminal 210 to a lead wire. Similarly, wafer layers 204 and 206
(FIGS. 11 and 12) each have an electrode terminal 212, 214 plated
to their distal surfaces, and a conductive strip 242, 244,
respectively, extending to one of the vias 232, 234, respectively.
Note that the vias only extend as far as necessary through the
ceramic layers. As shown in FIG. 13, another outer wafer layer 208
has a second return electrode 218 plated to the lateral surface 250
of layer 208. The second return electrode 218 is coupled directly
to the first return electrode 216 through a via 252 extending
through the entire ceramic substrate.
[0098] Of course, it will be recognized that a variety of different
types of multilayer wafers may be constructed according to the
present invention, For example, FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an
alternative embodiment of the multilayer ceramic wafer, wherein the
electrode terminals comprise planar strips 280 that are plated or
otherwise bonded between the ceramic wafer layers 282. Each of the
planar strips 280 has a different length, as shown in FIG. 15, so
that the electrode terminals can be electrically isolated from each
other, and coupled to lead wires by vias (not shown).
[0099] Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, a method of treating
tissue on the outer skin of a patient according to the present
invention will now be described. As shown, distal tip 13 of probe
10 is positioned such that electrode support 70 is adjacent to the
target tissue 302 at the treatment site 300. Electrically
conducting fluid 304 is delivered through fluid tube 110 (FIG. 2)
through distal hole 114 to the treatment site 300. The rate of
fluid flow is controlled with rotatable sleeve 116 (FIG. 4A) such
that the zone between the tissue 302 and electrode support 70 is
constantly immersed in the fluid. The power supply 28 is then
turned on and adjusted such that a high frequency voltage
difference is applied between electrode terminal(s) 58 and return
electrodes 100, 102. The electrically conductive fluid 304 provides
the conduction path (see current flux lines 310) between electrode
terminal(s) 58 and the return electrodes 100, 102 on either side of
electrode support 70.
[0100] In the exemplary embodiment, the high frequency voltage is
sufficient to convert the electrically conductive fluid 304 between
the target tissue 302 and electrode terminals 58 into an ionized
vapor layer 312 or plasma. As a result of the applied voltage
difference between electrode terminals 58 and the target tissue 302
(i.e., the voltage gradient across the plasma layer 312), charged
particles 315 in the plasma (viz., electrons) are accelerated
towards the tissue. At sufficiently high voltage differences, these
charged particles 315 gain sufficient energy to cause dissociation
of the molecular bonds within tissue structures. This molecular
dissociation is accompanied by the volumetric removal (i.e.,
ablative sublimation) of tissue and the production of low molecular
weight gases 314, such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide,
hydrogen and methane. The short range of the accelerated charged
particles 315 within the target tissue 302 confines the molecular
dissociation process to the surface layer to minimize damage and
necrosis to the underlying tissue 320.
[0101] In some embodiments, the voltage difference will be
sufficient enough to apply thermal energy to the underlying tissue
320. Preferably, this thermal energy will be sufficient to elevate
the tissue temperature from normal body temperatures (e.g.,
37.degree. C.) to temperatures in the range of 45.degree. C. to
90.degree. C., preferably in the range from 55.degree. C. to
70.degree. C. and, for the case of skin, preferably in the range of
about 55.degree. C. to 62.degree. C. This temperature elevation
causes contraction of the collagen connective fibers within the
underlying tissue 320. This method removes the surface layer of the
skin, while tightening the underlying dermis to remove wrinkles and
rejuvenate the skin.
[0102] An alternative method for skin rejuvenation or wrinkle
removal is shown in FIG. 17. In this method, when a voltage
difference is applied between the electrode terminals 58 and the
return electrodes 100, 102, electrical current flows between the
electrode terminals 58 and the return electrode 100, 102 along
current flux lines 350. The current flux lines 350 flow a short
distance, L.sub.4 into the surface of epidermal tissue 352 and
through the electrically conductive fluid 354 in the region above
the surface of the tissue to complete the electrical path between
the electrode terminals 58 and the return electrodes 100, 102. As a
consequence of the electrical impedance of the tissue and the
proper selection of the applied frequency, voltage and current,
heating of the epidermal tissue 352 occurs in a region 360 below
the surface of the tissue 352. This heating elevates the
temperature of the tissue and separates the epidermal tissue layer
352 from the underlying papillary dermis 362. The epidermal tissue
layer 352 may then be removed by flushing the treatment site, or by
brushing away this tissue layer 352 with, for example, a cloth pad,
gauze, etc. In skin rejuvenation procedures, collagen may be
injected into the dermis after the epidermis has been removed to
rejuvenate skin that has lost its elasticity.
[0103] In addition, the heating from current flux lines 350 may be
sufficient to elevate the temperature of the tissue 364 in the
papillary dermis 362 from normal body temperature (e.g. 37.degree.
C.) to a temperature in the range 55.degree. C. to 85.degree. C.,
preferably in the range from 60.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. This
heating of the papillary dermis 362 will cause irreversible
contraction of the collagen with the papillary dermis.
[0104] FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate a method for treating a
vascular lesion, such as a port wine stain, face vein, birth mark
or the like. As shown in FIG. 18A, an electrosurgical probe 370 is
placed on or adjacent to the surface of the skin 372 above the
vessel 374 to be treated. A voltage difference is applied between
the active and return electrodes.(not shown) in the presence of
electrically conductive fluid 376 to ablate or cause molecular
dissociation of the tissue adjacent the probe 370. As the tissue is
removed, the probe will be axially translated through the deepening
hole to the vessel 374 (note that a substantially linear probe
shaft is preferred in this embodiment). A more complete description
of systems and methods for forming channels or holes through tissue
is described in commonly assigned, U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,366, the
complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Once the probe approaches the vessel, thermal energy will be
delivered into the vessel from the current flux lines as described
above. This thermal energy will eventually be sufficient to
coagulate the blood in the vessel 374 and collapse the vessel at
that site.
[0105] In order to collapse a long length of the vessel 374,
multiple treatment sites may be necessary. As shown in FIG. 18B, it
is desirable to locate the first treatment site 380 at a downstream
point with respect to the flow of blood in the vessel. The surgeon
may then sequentially treat the vessel at multiple sites (382, 384,
386) upstream from the first site 380.
[0106] Referring now to FIG. 19, a method for transplanting hair
according to the present invention is described. A strip of hair
(not shown) from a donor region is first excised from the patient.
The hair may be excised by removing the tissue around the strip in
a similar manner as described above. The hemostatic effects of the
electrosurgical system of the present invention result in minimal
bleeding at the donor site. The strip is then lifted from the scalp
and sutures are used to close the opening.
[0107] One of the probes described above are then used to produce
incisions 390 in the recipient area 392. As shown in FIG. 19, the
depth an diameter of the incision 390 can be accurately controlled.
The incisions are preferably formed at an angle to improve the
retention of the graft and to form a more cosmetically suitable
appearance.
[0108] FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative embodiment, where an
electrosurgical probe 430 is utilized to remove the surface layers
of the epidermis 440. Probe 430 includes a shaft 432 coupled to a
proximal handle 434 for holding and controlling shaft 432. Similar
to previous embodiments, probe 430 includes an active electrode
array 436 at the distal tip of shaft 432, an annular return
electrode 438 extending through shaft 432 and proximally recessed
from the active electrode array 436 and an annular lumen 442
between return electrode 438 and an outer insulating sheath 444.
Probe 430 further includes a liquid supply conduit 446 attached to
handle 434 and in fluid communication with lumen 442 and a source
of electrically conducting fluid (not shown) for delivering the
fluid past return electrode 438 to the target site on the epidermis
440. As discussed above, electrode array 436 is preferably flush
with the distal end of shaft 432 or distally extended from the
distal end by a small distance (on the order of 0.005 inches) so to
minimize the depth of ablation. Preferably, the distal end of shaft
432 is beveled to improve access and control of probe 430 while
treating the epidermal tissue.
[0109] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 22. This embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 16 and
described above with the exception that additional electrode
terminals 458, 459 are positioned at the distal tip 70 of the
probe. Electrode terminals 458, 459 may be the same size as
ablation electrode terminals 58, larger as shown in FIG. 22. One
operating arrangement is to connect electrode terminals 458, 459 to
two poles of a high frequency generator to form a bipolar circuit
allowing current to flow between terminals 458, 459 as shown by
current flux lines 460. The electrode terminals 458, 459 are
electrically isolated from ablation electrodes 58. By proper
selection of the interelectrode spacing, W.sub.2, and electrode
width, W.sub.3, and the frequency, the current flux lines 460 can
be caused to flow below the epidermis layer to effect collagen
shrinkage in region 320 as described hereinabove.
[0110] The voltage will preferably be sufficient to establish high
electric field intensities between the active electrode array 436
and the epidermal tissue 440 to thereby induce molecular breakdown
or disintegration of several cell layers of the epidermal tissue.
As described above, a sufficient voltage will be applied to develop
a thin layer of vapor within the electrically conducting fluid and
to ionize the vaporized layer or region between the active
electrode(s) and the target tissue. Energy in the form of photons
and/or energetic electrons are discharged from the vapor layer to
ablate the epidermal tissue, thereby minimizing necrosis of
surrounding tissue and underlying cell layers, such as cell
structures in the stratum lucidium and/or stratum granulosum.
[0111] FIG. 23 illustrates a distal portion of another
electrosurgical probe 500 according to the present invention,
particularly useful for cutting or creating incisions in an
external skin surface. Probe 500 comprises a support member 502
coupled to a shaft or disposable tip (not shown) as described in
previous embodiments. Support member 502 preferably comprises an
inorganic electrically insulating material, such as ceramic, glass
or glass-ceramic. In this embodiment, however, support member 502
may comprise an organic material, such as plastic, because the
active electrode 506 and return electrode 508 are both spaced away
from support member 502. Thus, the high intensity electric fields
may be far enough away from support member 502 so as to allow an
organic material.
[0112] An electrode assembly 504 extends from a distal end of
support member 502, preferably a distance of about 2 to 20 mm.
Electrode assembly 504 comprises a single, active electrode 506 and
a return electrode sleeve 508 spaced proximally from active
electrode 506 by an insulation member 510, which preferably
comprises an inorganic material, such as ceramic, glass or
glass-ceramic. As shown, active electrode 506 preferably tapers to
a sharp distal end 512 to facilitate the cutting or incising of
tissue. In the exemplary embodiment, active electrode 506 has a
proximal diameter of about 0.2 to 20 mm and a distal diameter of
less than about 0.2 mm. Return electrode 508 is spaced from active
electrode 506 a sufficient distance to prevent shorting or arcing
therebetween at sufficient voltages to allow the volumetric removal
of tissue. In the representative embodiment, the distal exposed
portion of return electrode 508 is spaced about 0.5 to about 5 mm
from the proximal exposed portion of active electrode 506. Of
course, it will be recognized that the present invention is not
limited to the particular dimensions and configuration of the
electrode assembly 504 described herein, and a variety of different
embodiments may be envisioned depending on the surgical
application.
[0113] As shown, probe 500 includes a fluid lumen 520 passing
through support member 502 to a distal opening (not shown) at the
distal end of support member 502. Fluid lumen 520 is coupled to a
supply of electrically conductive fluid, such as isotonic saline,
or other suitable conductive fluid for delivery of such fluid to
the target site. In the exemplary embodiment, the probe is designed
such that lumen 520 will be positioned above electrode assembly 504
during use such that the conductive fluid exiting the distal
opening of lumen 520 will naturally pass over return electrode 508
and active electrode 506 thereby creating a current path
therebetween. In addition, the conductive fluid will sufficient
cover the active electrode 506 such that the conditions for plasma
formation can be met, as described in detail above.
[0114] Referring now to FIGS. 24-26, a blepharoplasty procedure for
removing fatty tissue underlying a patient's eyelids will now be
described according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 24,
a front view of the orbit of the eye 530 reveals the important
periocular structures relevant to blepharoplasty surgery. As shown,
the two fat compartments of the upper lid, the central and medial
compartments 532, 534, are divided by the superior oblique muscle
536. The inferior orbital fat is divided into three compartments,
the medial compartment 538, the lateral fat compartment 539 and the
central fat compartment 540. Medial fat has more blood vessels and
nerves than the other fat compartments in both the upper and lower
eyelid. Accordingly, this fat is more sensitive to the application
of energy in conventional systems. Depending on the particular
procedure, the present invention is designed to facilitate access
to these fat compartments of the upper and lower eyelids such that
a portion of the fat therein can be removed to treat "baggy
eyelids" syndrome.
[0115] As shown in FIG. 25, the electrosurgical probe 500 is
positioned adjacent the target area, in this case the patient's
upper eyelid 550. The power supply is activated such that a high
frequency voltage difference is applied between the active and
return electrodes 506, 508 and electrically conductive fluid 552 is
delivered to the target area, either by gravity, pump or other
means. The surgeon then positioned that tip of the active electrode
506 adjacent to or in contact with the external skin 554, and
translates the tip across the upper eyelid 550 to form an incision
556 therein. As discussed previously, the high frequency voltage is
sufficient to convert the electrically conductive fluid between the
target tissue and active electrode 506 into an ionized vapor layer
or plasma. As a result of the applied voltage difference between
active electrode 506 and the target tissue (i.e., the voltage
gradient across the plasma layer), charged particles in the plasma
(viz., electrons) are accelerated towards the tissue. At
sufficiently high voltage differences, these charged particles gain
sufficient energy to cause dissociation of the molecular bonds
within tissue structures. This molecular dissociation is
accompanied by the volumetric removal (i.e., ablative sublimation)
of tissue and the production of low molecular weight gases, such as
oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. The short
range of the accelerated charged particles within the target tissue
confines the molecular dissociation process to the surface layer to
minimize damage and necrosis to the underlying tissue.
[0116] As shown in FIG. 26, the surgeon will typically create an
upper incision line 560 and a lower incision line 562 to form a
crescent shaped flap of skin 564 between the two incision lines
560, 562. The flap of skin 564 is then removed, either completely
or by folding it over with a pair of forceps 568, to expose the
underlying orbital septum 570. The orbital septum 570 is then
pierced with the electrosurgical probe of the present invention or
with conventional tools, such as a scalpel, and the underlying fat
is excised, e.g., with forceps or other conventional tools. During
excision of fat, the probe 500 may be used to effect hemostasis of
any severed blood vessels within the fat tissue. Once the desired
amount of fat tissue has been removed, the surgeon reattaches the
flap of skin 564 and cleans ups the surgical site.
[0117] Other modifications and variations can be made to disclose
embodiments without departing from the subject invention as defined
in the following claims. For example, FIG. 27 illustrates yet
another embodiment designed for cutting of body structures,
particularly creating incisions in external skin surfaces. In this
embodiment, the electrode terminals 604 are arranged in a linear or
columnar array of one of more closely spaced columns so that as the
electrodes 604 are moved along the longer axis (denoted by arrow
660 in FIG. 27), the current flux lines are narrowly confined at
the tip of the electrode terminals 604 and result in a cutting
effect in the body structure being treated. As before, the current
flux lines 660 emanating from the electrode terminals 604 pass
through the electrically conducting liquid to the return electrode
structure 612 located proximal to the probe tip.
[0118] Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, alternative geometries are
shown for the electrode terminals 604. These alternative electrode
geometries allow the electrical current densities emanating from
the electrode terminals 604 to be concentrated to achieve an
increased ablation rate and/or a more concentrated ablation effect
due to the fact that sharper edges (i.e., regions of smaller radii
of curvature) result in higher current densities. FIG. 28
illustrates a flattened extension of a round wire electrode
terminal 604 which results in higher current densities at the edges
680. Another example is shown in FIG. 29 in which the electrode
terminal 604 is formed into a cone shaped point 682 resulting in
higher current densities at the tip of the cone.
[0119] FIG. 30 illustrates yet another embodiment of a probe 710
designed for cutting or incising tissue. As shown, in the
embodiment, the electrically isolated electrode terminals 758 are
spaced apart over a tissue treatment surface 780 of the electrode
support member 770, preferably in a linear array. In the
representative embodiment, three electrode terminals 758, each
having a substantially conical shape, are arranged in a linear
array extending distally from surface 780. Electrode terminals 758
will usually extend a distance of about 0.5 to 20 mm from tissue
treatment surface 780, preferably about 1 to 5 mm. Applicant has
found that this configuration increases the electric field
intensities and associated current densities at the distal edges of
electrode terminals 758, which increases the rate of tissue
cutting. In the representative embodiment, the tissue treatment
surface 780 has a circular cross-sectional shape with a diameter in
the range of about 0.5 mm to 20 mm (preferably about 2 to 10 mm).
The individual electrode terminals 758 preferably taper outward as
shown, or they may form a distal edge, such as the electrodes shown
in FIG. 28
[0120] FIG. 31 illustrates an electrosurgical probe 890 comprising
a shaft 800 and at least two electrode terminals 804 extending from
a support matrix 802 at the distal end of the shaft. The electrode
terminals 804 preferably define a distal edge 806 for cutting an
incision in tissue. The edges 806 of the electrode terminals 804
are substantially parallel with each other and usually spaced a
distance of about 4 to 15 mm, preferably about 8-10 mm. The edges
806 extend from the distal end of support matrix 802 by a distance
of about 0.5 to 10 mm, preferably about 2 to 5 mm. In the exemplary
embodiment, probe 890 will include a return electrode 812 spaced
proximally from the electrode terminals 804. Alternatively, the
return electrode 812 may be one of the electrode terminals 804, or
it may be a dispersive pad located on an external surface of the
patient's body.
* * * * *