Patent ID: 7201750
Filing Date: 2007-04-10
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
1. An electrosurgical system for smoothing body structures having an irregular surface: an electrosurgical instrument having a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end; an electrode terminal disposed at or near the distal end of the shaft; an electrically insulating support member at or near the distal end of the instrument shaft, wherein the electrode terminal is flush with a tissue treatment surface of the support member; a return electrode spaced from the electrode terminal such that when a portion of the electrode terminal is brought adjacent the irregular surface of the body structure immersed in electrically conductive fluid, the electrode terminal is positioned between the return electrode and the body structure and the electrically conductive fluid completes a conduction path between the electrode terminal and the return electrode; at least one connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal and the return electrode to a high frequency voltage source; and wherein the electrode terminal is sized and constructed to deliver sufficient energy to an irregular surface of a body structure to at least partially smooth the irregular surface of the body structure.