Electrosurgical method and system for treating foot ulcer

Abstract

An electrosurgical method for treating foot ulcer, including diabetic foot ulcer, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the ulcer, the active electrode being disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical shaft; applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the voltage potential being sufficient to generate plasma at the active electrode; and stimulating the ulcer with the active electrode to increase blood flow, remove unhealthy tissue and induce the body's natural healing response.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 11 / 327,089, filed Jan. 6, 2006, and entitled “Electrosurgical Method and System for Treating Foot Ulcer,” hereby incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF INVENTION[0002]This invention pertains to electrosurgical systems for treating of ulcer, in particular, an electrosurgical method of treating diabetic foot ulcer whereby an active electrode in the presence of plasma is directed to debride tissue, induce blood flow, and leverage the body's cytokine response to promote healing.BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART[0003]An ulcer is a break in a skin or a mucus membrane evident by a loss of surface tissue, tissue disintegration, necrosis of epithelial tissue, nerve damage and pus. On patients with long-standing diabetes and with poor glycemic control, a common condition is diabetic foot ulcer, symptoms of which include surface lesions with peripheral neuropathy, arterial insufficiency, and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In one embodiment, the method is an electrosurgical procedure for treating ulcer, in particular diabetic foot ulcer, comprising: positioning an active electrode in close proximity to the ulcer, the active electrode disposed on a distal end of an electrosurgical probe or shaft; and applying a high-frequency voltage potential difference across the active electrode and a return electrode sufficient to generate plasma at the active electrode, and to modify the ulcer. In one embodiment, an electrically conductive fluid is provided at the active electrode. Modification of the ulcer in accordance with the present method include perforating tissue in the vicinity of the ulcer, debriding tissue to increase blood flow, and applying plasma to leverage the body's natural healing response. In one embodiment, current is conducted into the ulcer to perforate and remove unhealthy tissue, restore blood flow and promote healing.

Problems solved by technology

If left untreated a diabetic foot ulcer can become infected and gangrenous which can result in disfiguring scars, foot deformity, and / or amputation.

If the ulcer is accompanied by asteomeylitis, deep abscess or critical ischema, the condition may trigger amputation.

Topical debriding enzymes are sometime used but are expensive and have not been conclusively shown to be beneficial.

Images