Patent ID: 6379348
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A combined electrosurgical-cryosurgical instrument for tissue ablation, comprising:a tubular shaft having an inner surface, a proximal end and a distal end with a distal tip at the farthest point of said instrument from said proximal end, said shaft being electrically and thermally conductive; a radiofrequency insulation sheath surrounding a portion of an outer surface of said shaft, said radiofrequency insulation sheath defining a radiofrequency-insulated segment of said shaft and a radiofrequency-noninsulated segment of said shaft; a cryo-insulation sheath surrounding a portion of a surface of said shaft, said cryo-insulation sheath defining a cryo-insulated segment of said shaft and a cryo-noninsulated segment of said shaft; a radiofrequency power source connected to said shaft, wherein said power source provides electrical energy to said distal end of said shaft; a cryogen supply tube within said shaft, said cryogen supply tube extending from said proximal end of said shaft to said distal end of said shaft; and a cryogen supply source connected to a proximal end of said cryogen supply tube.