Devices and methods for controlling movement of an electrosurgical electrode

Abstract

An electrosurgical electrode assembly having a cutting device including a catheter with a proximal and distal end, and an electrode carried on the distal end of the catheter. A controller is connected to the cutting device. A data acquisition system is connected to the controller and is capable of monitoring voltage and current output. A microprocessor may also be connected to the data acquisition system for processing voltage and current data from the data acquisition system. A generator is also connected to the data acquisition system. The controller initiates movement of the electrode upon arc initiation at the electrode. Methods of using the devices herein are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 714,126, filed Nov. 13, 2003, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 426,030, filed on Nov. 13, 2002. This invention relates to devices and methods that may, but do not necessarily, involve the use of a target tissue localization device, such as shown in U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 677,952, filed Oct. 2, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,816, in conjunction with an electrosurgical loop-type cutter, such as shown in U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 844,661, filed Apr. 27, 2001; U.S. application Ser. No. 09 / 588,278, filed Jun. 5, 2000, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,278; and U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 045,657, filed Nov. 7, 2001. All of the above-mentioned patents and applications are herein expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to an electrosurgical electrode system that is capable of excising ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a system and method for using an electrosurgical electrode to excise tissue samples from a patient. The system includes a cutting device with a catheter and an electrode carried by the distal end of the catheter. The controller of the cutting device initiates movement of the electrode upon detection of an arc. The system also includes a data acquisition system that monitors voltage and current output, and a microprocessor that calculates the load (or electrical) impedance to determine the presence of an arc. The electrode can be moved automatically once the arc is detected. The technical effects of the invention include improved accuracy in detecting the time to initiate movement of the electrode and improved efficiency in excision of tissue samples.

Problems solved by technology

With a percutaneous procedure, in particular an automated, percutaneous procedure, this type of user-based control is not possible, since the electrode is, in many cases, not visible.

And in the case of automated control, the effects occur too quickly to allow human reaction.

For manual systems, where the cutting loop is deployed and rotated by hand by the user, other problems exist.

The user may not know if the electrode movement is too slow, which leads to too much RF energy exposure that can result in excessive thermal damage and / or vaporization of the intended tissue sample.

If, on the other hand, the electrode movement is too fast, this could result in a weak cutting arc or total loss of the cutting arc, which could result in undersized or mechanically damaged specimens.

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