Patent ID: 6280441
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An electrosurgical apparatus for thermally treating tissue, the apparatus comprising:an elongate body having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis;an effector mounted to the distal end of the body and being rotatable relative to the body, the effector having a general helical shaped portion and having a sharpened distal closed tip, the effector having defining an internal lumen for circulating cooling fluid within the effector to cool the effector;a source of cooling fluid in fluid communication with the internal lumen of the effector;a drive member disposed within the elongate body and operatively connected to the effector, the drive member axially stationary relative to the elongate body and being rotatable to cause corresponding rotational movement of the effector;a source of radio frequency current coupled to the effector and insulated from the body;a sensor mounted to the distal end of the elongate body and extending within an inner boundary defined within the helical shaped portion to measure within the target tissue the extent of ablation about the effector due to the passage of radio frequency current through the target tissue;a control coupled between the source of radio frequency current and the sensor to effect a loop regulation of the delivery of the radio frequency current for defining the extent of ablation; andan actuator operatively connected to the effector whereby manipulation of the actuator causes corresponding rotational movement of the drive member and the effector relative to the elongate body.