Patent ID: 7824398
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of modifying a tissue at a target site of a patient's body, comprising: a) providing an electrosurgical probe having a shaft distal end, the shaft distal end bearing an electrode support, and the electrode support having an active electrode affixed thereto, the active electrode consisting essentially of a single blade electrode, the single blade electrode including a distal active edge, a proximal active edge, an active tip, and first and second blade sides, the distal active edge, the proximal active edge, and the active tip each adapted for severing tissue via molecular dissociation of components of the tissue, and the first and second blade sides each adapted for engaging the severed tissue and for coagulating the severed tissue, wherein an entire contact surface of the active electrode is available for severing and coagulating tissue; b) positioning the shaft distal end in the vicinity of the target site such that the single blade electrode is in at least close proximity to the tissue at the target site; and c) applying a high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the high frequency voltage sufficient to generate a vapor layer comprising ionic particles proximate each of the distal active edge, the proximal active edge, and the active tip, wherein at least a portion of the tissue at the target site is modified by molecular dissociation so as to volumetrically remove a portion of the tissue at the target site and proximate each of the distal active edge, the proximal active edge, and the active tip, and whereby the vapor layer comprises a high resistance region such that thermal damage to the tissue surrounding the target site is minimized.