Patent ID: 7335198
Filing Date: 2008-02-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A system for cutting about a volume of targeted tissue exhibiting a given peripheral extent, comprising: an electrosurgical generator, having an electrosurgical return, responsive to a first control input to generate a first output for carrying out electrosurgical cutting; a support member having an external surface and extending along a longitudinal axis between a base region and a tip, having a forward end region extending along a longitudinal axis from said tip and positionable in an insertion mode into adjacency with said tissue volume peripheral extent, and said forward end region having a deployment portion adjacent said tip, said deployment portion comprising an outwardly open slot extending along said longitudinal axis between a forward location and a rearward location, having a slot width and extending inwardly along oppositely disposed slot side surfaces, said support member being rotatable about said axis subsequent to said insertion mode, said support member including a deflector guide component located within said electrode deployment portion slot intermediate said forward location and said rearward location; a thin, resilient electrode having a deployable portion extending within said forward end region deployment portion slot during said insertion mode, deployable to move outwardly between said deployment portion forward location and said rearward location to an outer circumscription location adjacent said tissue peripheral extent then rotatable with said support member along said tissue peripheral extent and then retractable to move toward said deployment portion to surgically isolate said targeted tissue said electrode having a distal end fixed to said support member at a connection location adjacent said forward location and moveable outwardly from said slot generally transversely to said longitudinal axis when deployed to exhibit an arch formation extensible toward said circumscription location, and being configured to define an arch supporting abutment with said slot sides adjacent said forward location and said rearward location when deployed and retracted effective to buttress said deployable portion when said support member is rotated about said longitudinal axis, said electrode being in freely abutting, outwardly biased relationship with said deflector guide during said insertion mode; an actuator assembly extending along said support member from said base region, coupled with said electrode and actuable for effecting the deployment thereof by urging said electrode forwardly in compression to effect said outward movement thereof to said circumscription location and to effect the retraction thereof by urging it rearwardly to cause inward movement thereof toward said deployment portion; and a control assembly in electrical communication with said electrosurgical generator and said electrode, actuable simultaneously with said electrode deployment, rotation and retraction to effect derivation of said first control input and the application of said first output to said electrode in electrical communication with said electrosurgical return.