Patent ID: 6238393
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A surgical apparatus for creating a virtual electrode to ablate bodily tissue, the apparatus comprising:an outer tube fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid, the outer tube defining a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the outer tube including an opening for delivering a conductive fluid from the outer tube;a first electrode disposed at the distal end of the outer tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the outer tube;an inner tube coaxially received within the outer tube, the inner tube being fluidly connected to a source of conductive fluid and defining a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the inner tube forming an opening for delivering a conductive fluid from the inner tube;a second electrode disposed at the distal end of the inner tube for applying a current to conductive fluid delivered from the inner tube; anda separation device, at least a portion of which is disposed between the distal ends;wherein upon final assembly, the distal end of the outer tube is axially spaced from the distal end of the inner tube such that the first electrode is spaced from the second electrode, and further wherein the separation device facilitates a reduction in fluid interaction between fluid dispensed from the distal ends of the inner and outer tubes, respectively, external the apparatus.