Patent ID: 11864824
Assignee: MEDTRONIC ADVANCED ENERGY LLC
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 15:
16. A method of surgically treating tissue comprising:
positioning a distal end region of an electrosurgical device at an operative site within a patient, the electrosurgical device including:
an outer shaft comprising a lumen and a distal end comprising a cutting edge forming an outer shaft window,
an inner shaft rotatably disposed within the lumen of the outer shaft, the inner shaft having a distal portion comprising an inner shaft cutter forming an inner shaft window,
a fluid passage defined between the outer shaft and the inner shaft, the fluid passage being open to first and second fluid distribution points each located proximal the outer shaft window, the first fluid distribution point being proximal the second fluid distribution point, and
first and second electrodes that are electrically isolated from one another and positioned at the distal end region;

arranging the electrosurgical device in a closed position in which the inner shaft cutter is shielded;
supplying RF energy to the first and second electrodes while the electrosurgical device is in the closed position to apply the RF energy to tissue of the operative site; and
dispensing, during the step of supplying, fluid from the first and second fluid distribution points to operatively couple the fluid to the first and second electrodes.