Fluid enhanced electrosurgery with integrated irrigation and aspiration

Abstract

An electrosurgical device includes a distal portion defining at least one irrigation port configured to deliver surgical fluid distally to a target treatment site; a first electrode extending distally from the distal portion, the first electrode configured to provide a delivered current to the target treatment site; and a second electrode extending distally from the distal portion, the second electrode configured to receive a return current from the target treatment site; wherein the first electrode is positioned and oriented relative to the second electrode so as to define a central aspiration lumen between the first electrode and the second electrode, the central aspiration lumen configured to aspirate the surgical fluid proximally from the target treatment site.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrosurgery. Background Art

[0002] Electrosurgical devices for applying electrical energy to tissue can be used in surgical procedures for hemostatic sealing or coagulation of soft tissue and bone at a surgical site. Such electrosurgical devices can be used in, but are not limited to, plastic surgery, spinal surgery, thoracic surgery, or abdominal surgery.

[0003] An electrosurgical device can include a hand-held unit having a distal end with one or more electrodes. The one or more electrodes can be positioned adjacent to target tissue such that current is introduced into the tissue. The resulting generated heat can be used to cut, coagulate the target tissue, or induce metabolic processes in the target tissue. The electrosurgical device can be used with an electrosurgical generator that typically provides power and electrical energy in the form of radio frequency (“RF”) energy via either of two handpiece topologies (or a particular combination thereof): monopolar or bipolar.

[0004] During monopolar operation, the active electrode introduces current into the target tissue. The current returns through a return electrode located separately on the patient's body. Thus, a monopolar handpiece has only one wire for the treatment signal in the monopolar connector—a second contact, referred to as the “return signal,” is present in a different connector called the “return pad connector.” During bipolar operation, current is introduced into the target tissue via an “active” electrode located on the bipolar handpiece and returns from the target tissue via a “return” electrode located on the bipolar handpiece.

[0005] Conventional electrosurgical devices for electrosurgical tissue treatment face a series of challenges that can vary depending on the different procedures. Some of the challenges that can arise are using multiple different devices to perform individual functions, thereby complicating the procedure and occupying a greater amount of limited space both inside the patient and within the surgical environment. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technology of the present disclosure generally relates to a hand-held electrosurgical device configured to: flush, disperse, or infuse a surgical fluid (e.g., saline); ablate or cauterize tissue in the presence of the fluid; and aspirate residual fluid from the target treatment site simultaneously or subsequently.

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an electrosurgical device having: a proximal portion including an electrical connector configured to be electrically coupled to a generator configured to provide electrical energy; and a distal portion defining at least one irrigation port configured to deliver surgical fluid distally to a target treatment site; a first electrode extending distally from the distal portion and configured to provide the delivered current to the target treatment site; and a second electrode extending distally from the distal portion and configured to receive a return current from the target treatment site. The first electrode is oriented relative to the second electrode so as to define a central aspiration port and an aspiration channel therebetween, the central aspiration port and the channel being configured to aspirate surgical fluid proximally from the target treatment site. In some such examples, the first electrode and the second electrode may be substantially semi-tubular in shape.

[0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of performing an electrosurgical procedure, the method including: delivering surgical fluid to a target treatment site within a patient via at least one irrigation port defined by a distal portion of an electrosurgical device; providing the delivered current to the target treatment site via a first electrode extending distally from the distal portion of the electrosurgical device; receiving a return current from the target treatment site via a second electrode extending distally from the distal portion of the electrosurgical device; and aspirating surgical fluid from the target treatment site via a central aspiration lumen defined by the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a medical system including: a generator configured to provide electrical energy; and an electrosurgical device. The electrosurgical device includes: a proximal portion having an electrical connector configured to be electrically coupled to the generator; a distal portion defining at least one irrigation port configured to deliver surgical fluid distally to a target treatment site; a first electrode extending distally from the distal portion and configured to provide the delivered current to the target treatment site; and a second electrode extending distally from the distal portion and configured to receive a return current from the target treatment site. The first electrode is oriented relative to the second electrode so as to define a central aspiration lumen therebetween, the central aspiration lumen being configured to aspirate the surgical fluid proximally from the target treatment site.

[0010] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides techniques for using a handheld electrosurgical device to perform an electrosurgical procedure, including irrigating and aspirating surgical fluid both via the handheld device as described herein.

[0011] Examples of the present disclosure advantageously reduce the number and size of surgical tools required on-site, thereby allowing irrigation and aspiration of surgical fluids to be performed by the same tools that provide electrosurgery, in order to reduce the complexity of surgical procedures.

[0012] Details of one or more aspects of the present disclosure are set forth in the following drawings and description. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The subject matter of the present invention can be more fully understood when the following detailed description of various embodiments is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary medical system having an electrosurgical unit, a surgical fluid source, and a handheld electrosurgical device;

[0015] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a front perspective view of the electrosurgical unit of

[0016] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a rear view of the electrosurgical unit of

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an electrosurgical device according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 5 is Figure 1 and Figure 4 a close-up cross-sectional view of an exemplary distal portion of the electrosurgical device, where an exemplary fluid is coupled to the tissue surface of the tissue;

[0019] Figure 6 is Figure 1 a perspective view of another exemplary distal portion of the handheld electrosurgical device having a semi-tubular electrode defining a central aspiration channel;

[0020] Figure 7 is Figure 1 a bottom view of another exemplary distal portion of the handheld electrosurgical device having a generally linear electrode defining a central aspiration channel;

[0021] Figure 8 is Figure 7 a top view of the electrosurgical device of

[0022] Figure 9 is Figure 7 a bottom view of the electrosurgical device of

[0023] Figure 10 is Figure 7Perspective view of an electrosurgical device;

[0024] Figure 11 is Figure 7 Perspective view of an electrosurgical device;

[0025] Figure 12 is a flowchart of a technique for performing an electrosurgical procedure. Detailed Description

[0026] Figure 1 Depicted is an exemplary medical system 100 having an electrosurgical unit 102 combined with a fluid source 104 and a hand-held electrosurgical device 106. Certain elements of the medical system 100 are further detailed in co-owned U.S. Patent No. 8,882,756, titled "FLUID-ASSISTED ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0027] Figure 1 An example of the system 100 shown includes a mobile cart 108 having a chassis 110 provided with two or more wheels 112 to facilitate transportation. The chassis 110 carries a support member 114 including a hollow cylindrical column to which a storage basket 116 can be fastened and which is used to store the user manual for the electrosurgical unit 102; and additional unused devices. In addition, the support member 114 carries a platform 118 (e.g., a base table) to provide a flat, stable surface for holding the electrosurgical unit 102.

[0028] As Figure 1 shown, the cart 108 further includes a surgical fluid source carrier rod 120, the height of which can be adjusted by sliding the carrier rod 120 up and down within the support member 114 and then fastening the rod 120 in place with a set screw (not shown). On top of the fluid source carrier rod 120 is a lateral support 122 provided at its ends with loops 124 to provide hooks for carrying the surgical fluid source 104.

[0029] As Figure 1 shown, the fluid source 104 includes a bag of surgical fluid (e.g., saline), from which fluid 126 flows through a drip chamber 128 after the bag has been pierced by a spike provided at the end of the drip chamber 128. Thereafter, the surgical fluid 126 flows through a flexible delivery tubing 130 to the hand-held electrosurgical device 106. The fluid delivery tubing 130 can be formed of a polymeric material.

[0030] As Figure 1As shown, the fluid delivery tubing 130 passes through the pump 132. In Figure 1 the example shown, the pump 132 includes a peristaltic pump, and more specifically a rotary peristaltic pump. With a rotary peristaltic pump, a portion of the delivery tubing 130 is loaded into the pump head by raising and lowering the pump head in a predetermined manner. Surgical fluid 126 is conveyed within the delivery tubing 130 by contraction waves that are guided externally onto the tubing 130, which are typically mechanically generated by rotating pinch rollers that rotate on a drive shaft to intermittently press the tubing 130 against an anvil support. Additionally or alternatively, the pump 132 can include a linear peristaltic pump. With a linear peristaltic pump, surgical fluid 126 is conveyed within the delivery tubing 130 by contraction waves that are guided externally onto the tubing 130, which are typically mechanically generated by a series of compression fingers or pads that sequentially squeeze the tube 130 against a support.

[0031] In some examples, the surgical fluid 126 includes saline, preferably normal (physiological) saline; however, any other suitable electrically conductive fluid can alternatively or additionally be used. While an electrically conductive fluid is preferred, the surgical fluid 126 can also include a non-conductive (e.g., electrically insulating) fluid. The use of a non-conductive fluid is less preferred than an electrically conductive fluid; however, the use of a non-conductive fluid still provides certain advantages over the use of dry electrodes, including, for example, reducing the occurrence of tissue adhesion to the electrodes of the hand-held device 106 and cooling of the electrodes and / or the tissue. Accordingly, the use of a non-conductive fluid (such as deionized water) is also within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] As Figure 1 shown, the hand-held electrosurgical device 106 is electrically coupled to the electrosurgical unit 102 via a cable 134, which includes a plurality of electrically insulated wire conductors and at least one plug 136 at its end. The electrosurgical unit 102 provides radio frequency (RF) energy to the hand-held electrosurgical device 106 via the cable 134. As Figure 2 shown, the plug socket 238 of the electrosurgical unit 102 receives the plug 136 of the device 106 therein to electrically connect the device 106 to the electrosurgical unit 102. The fluid delivery tubing 130 can be integrated with the cable 134 and produced together with the electrically insulated wires via plastic coextrusion.

[0033] According to the techniques of the present disclosure, the hand-held electrosurgical device 106 is configured to flush the surgical fluid 126 into a target treatment site and also subsequently aspirate the residual surgical fluid 126 from the target treatment site. In this manner, the electrosurgical device 106 is configured to reduce the complexity of the surgical procedure and also reduce the net form factor of the set of surgical devices required to complete the procedure, thereby further improving patient outcomes.

[0034] For example, asFigure 1 As shown, the handheld device 106 can be fluid-coupled to a suction source 142 and a discharge reservoir 144 via a flexible fluid extraction tube 140. The handheld device 106 can include various user input mechanisms, such as buttons, switches, levers, triggers, toggle switches, knobs, etc., which are configured to control the flushing and suction of the surgical fluid 126 via the distal portion of the handheld device 106. For example, a clinician can actuate a first user input mechanism 146 to deploy the surgical fluid 126 into the target treatment site, and can actuate another user input mechanism 148 to actuate the suction source 142 to suction the surgical fluid from the target treatment site. In some examples, the user input mechanism (or additional user input mechanisms) is configured to enable the user to appropriately control the rate or intensity of flushing and / or suction. For example, a control knob on the handheld device 106 can be configured to increase or decrease the amount of suction applied by the suction source 142 independent of other system parameters. In some examples, the suction source 142 can include a suction source provided by a facility (e.g., a hospital or other care center) where an electrosurgical procedure occurs.

[0035] Figure 2 is shown Figure 1 An exemplary front panel 240 of the electrosurgical unit 102. The front panel 240 includes a power switch 242 configured to turn on and off the power of the electrosurgical unit 102. After the electrosurgical unit 102 is turned on, an RF power setting display 244 is used to digitally display the RF power setting in watts. In some examples, the power setting display 244 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other suitable display screen. Additionally, such a display 244 is used to display errors, in which case the display 244 can indicate "Err" along with a related error code number.

[0036] The RF power selector 246 includes RF power setting switches 246a, 246b, which are used to select the RF power setting. Pressing switch 246a increases the RF power setting, while pressing switch 246b decreases the RF power setting. The RF power output can be set in 5-watt increments in the range of 20 watts to 100 watts, and in 10-watt increments in the range of 100 watts to 200 watts. Additionally, the electrosurgical unit 102 includes an RF power activation display 248, which includes an indicator light 250 that lights up when the RF power is activated. Switches 246a, 246b can include membrane switches.

[0037] In addition to the RF power setting display 244, the electrosurgical unit 102 further includes a fluid flow rate setting display 252. The flow rate setting display 252 includes three indicator lights 252a, 252b, 252c, where the first light 252a corresponds to a "low" fluid flow rate setting, the second light 252b corresponds to a "medium" (or "moderate") fluid flow rate setting, and the third light 252c corresponds to a "high" flow rate setting. When the corresponding fluid flow rate setting is selected, one of these three indicator lights 252 will light up.

[0038] A fluid flow selector 254 including flow rate setting switches 254a, 254b, 254c is used to select or switch the flow rate setting. There are three push switches 254 provided, where the first switch 254a corresponds to a "low" fluid flow rate setting, the second switch 254b corresponds to a "medium" (or "moderate") fluid flow rate setting, and the third switch 254c corresponds to a "high" flow rate setting. Pressing one of these three switches 254 selects the corresponding "low", "medium" ("moderate") or "high" flow rate setting. If no other setting is manually selected, the "medium" or "moderate" flow rate setting is automatically selected as the default setting. The switches 254a, 254b, and 254c may include membrane switches.

[0039] Before starting an electrosurgical procedure, it may be desirable to perfuse the handpiece 106 with the surgical fluid 126 ( Figure 1 ). In the absence of the fluid 126, perfusion is required to inhibit RF power activation. Therefore, a perfusion switch 256 ( Figure 2 ) is used to initiate the perfusion of the handpiece 106 with the surgical fluid 126. Pressing the switch 256 once activates the operation of the pump 132 for a predetermined duration to perfuse the handpiece 106. After the predetermined duration expires, the pump 132 automatically shuts off. When the perfusion of the handpiece 106 is initiated, a perfusion display 258 (e.g., an indicator light) lights up during the perfusion cycle.

[0040] On the front panel 240, when RF power is activated from the electrosurgical unit 102 via a switch 138 ( Figure 1 ) on the handpiece 106 or via a foot switch (not shown), a bipolar activation indicator 260 lights up. A pull-out drawer 262 ( Figure 2 ) is located below the electrosurgical unit 102 where a user (e.g., a clinician) of the electrosurgical unit 102 can find a short form of the user manual.

[0041] Figure 3 is shown Figure 1Exemplary rear panel 340 of electrosurgical unit 102. The rear panel 340 of electrosurgical unit 102 includes a speaker 342 and a volume control knob 344 to adjust the volume of a tone ("RF power activation tone") that will sound when RF power is activated. The volume of the RF power activation tone is increased by turning the knob 344 clockwise and decreased by turning the knob 344 counterclockwise. However, for safety reasons, electrosurgical unit 102 prevents this tone from being completely muted.

[0042] The rear panel 340 of electrosurgical unit 102 also includes a power cord socket 346 for connecting a main power cord to electrosurgical unit 102 and an equipotential ground lug connector 348 for connecting electrosurgical unit 102 to ground using a suitable cable. The rear panel 340 also includes a removable cover 350 for mounting a bipolar footswitch socket that can be connected to the internal footswitch circuit of electrosurgical unit 102, such that in addition to the manual switch 138 of the handpiece 106, RF power can also be activated by the footswitch. Additionally, the rear panel 340 also includes a fuse drawer 352 that holds two or more additional fuses consistent with the line voltage. Finally, the rear panel 340 includes a nameplate 354 that can provide information such as the model number, serial number, nominal line voltage, frequency, current, and fuse rating information of electrosurgical unit 102.

[0043] Electrosurgical unit 102 is specifically configured for use with a bipolar electrosurgical device (such as Figure 1 handpiece 106). Using a bipolar device, an alternating current (AC) circuit is created between the two electrical poles ("electrodes") of the device. Figure 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary bipolar electrosurgical device 106 that can be used in conjunction with electrosurgical unit 102.

[0044] As Figure 4 shown, the exemplary bipolar device 106 includes a proximal handle 404 having mating lateral handle portions 404a, 404b. The handle 404 is preferably made of a sterilizable, rigid, non-conductive material such as a polymer (e.g., polycarbonate). Additionally, the handle 404 is preferably configured to be elongated along with the rest of the device 106 to facilitate a user of the device 106 to hold and manipulate the device 106 in a manner similar to a writing utensil. The device 106 also includes a cable 134 that can be connected to electrosurgical unit 102 and a flexible fluid delivery tubing 130 that can be connected to a surgical fluid source 104 ( Figure 1 ), the flexible fluid delivery tubing being preferably connectable to the surgical fluid source via a spike located at the end of the drip chamber 128, the cable and the flexible fluid delivery tubing providing radio frequency energy and surgical fluid 126 to the electrodes 406a, 406b, respectively.

[0045] Maintained at and connected to the distal end of shaft 408 are two laterally and spatially separated (by empty space) contact elements, including electrodes 406a, 406b, which in some examples are configured to be mirror images in size and shape and may have distal ends with edge-free surfaces (to provide uniform current density) for treating tissue without cutting. Electrodes 406a, 406b are formed of a conductive metal such as stainless steel, titanium, gold, silver, and / or platinum.

[0046] In some examples, the longitudinal axes "Z" of electrodes 406a, 406b ( Figure 4 ) may be center-to-center ("CC") separated by approximately 6.0 mm. As a result, when the electrodes 406 have a diameter of approximately 3.5 mm, the actual spatial gap spacing ("GS") between electrodes 406a, 406b is approximately 2.5 mm.

[0047] Figure 5 An exemplary distal portion 500 of electrosurgical device 106 is shown Figure 1 and Figure 4 . As Figure 5 shown, electrodes 406a, 406b are preferably configured to slide on the surface 502 of target tissue 516 in the presence of radiofrequency energy 504 from electrosurgical unit 102 and surgical fluid 126 from fluid source 104. In some (but not all) examples, each of electrodes 406a, 406b has a dome-shaped distal shape that provides a smooth, blunt profiled outer surface, e.g., an outer surface that is neither pointed nor sharp.

[0048] In Figure 5 the example (but not all examples) shown, electrodes 406a, 406b define respective internal fluid flushing lumens 506a, 506b and provide surgical fluid flushing ports 508a, 508b for flushing surgical fluid 126 onto target tissue 516. Thus, during use of device 106, fluid 126 from fluid source 104 ( Figure 1 ) is conveyed through the lumen of fluid delivery tubing 130, after which the surgical fluid flows through flushing lumens 506a, 506b and then leaves device 106 from flushing ports 508a, 508b to reach electrodes 406a, 406b and target tissue 516. In Figure 5 the specific example shown, flushing ports 506a, 506b are located on the outer lateral portions of electrodes 406a, 406b such that electrosurgical device 106 releases or delivers surgical fluid 126 in a radially outward direction (e.g., along the "Y" axis).

[0049] As Figure 5As shown, one way to use device 106 is to orient the longitudinal (e.g., distal to proximal) "Z" axis of electrodes 406a, 406b vertically, and to laterally space (e.g., along the "Y" axis) the spherical distal surfaces of electrodes 406a, 406b adjacent to surface 502 of tissue 516. Electrodes 406a, 406b are connected to electrosurgical unit 102( Figure 1 ) to provide RF electrical power and to form an alternating current ("AC") electric field 504 in tissue 516 located between electrodes 406a and 406b. In the presence of alternating current, electrodes 406a, 406b alternate polarity between positive and negative charges, with current flowing from positive to negative charges. Without being bound by a particular theory, the resulting heating of target tissue 516 is performed by resistive heating.

[0050] In addition to providing electrical coupling between device 106 and tissue 516, surgical fluid 126 also lubricates surface 502 of tissue 516 and facilitates movement of electrodes 406a, 406b over surface 502 of tissue 516. During movement of electrodes 406a, 406b, electrodes 406a, 406b typically slide over surface 502 of tissue 516. Generally, the user of device 106 slides electrodes 406a, 406b back and forth over surface 502 of tissue 516 with a "painting" motion while using surgical fluid 126 in particular as a lubricating coating. Preferably, the thickness of fluid 126 between the distal end surfaces of electrodes 406a, 406b and surface 502 of tissue 516 at the outer edges of irrigation lumen 506 (e.g., at irrigation ports 508a, 508b respectively) is from about 0.05 mm to about 1.5 mm. Additionally, in some examples, the most distal tips of electrodes 406a, 406b may contact surface 502 of tissue 516 with no surgical fluid 126 therebetween.

[0051] As Figure 5 shown, fluid couplers 510a, 510b include discrete, local meshes of surgical fluid 126, and more specifically, include triangular meshes or beaded portions of membranes that provide fluid 126 between tissue surface 500 and electrodes 406a, 406b. When the user of electrosurgical device 106 places electrodes 406a, 406b at target tissue treatment site 516 and moves electrodes 406a, 406b over tissue surface 502, surgical fluid 126 is expelled from irrigation ports 508a, 508b and expelled onto tissue surface 502 in the form of fluid couplers 510a, 510b. Approximately simultaneously, electrodes 406 deliver and receive RF electrical energy as shown by electric field lines 504 to and from tissue 516 via fluid couplers 510a, 510b.

[0052] To better maintain the fluid couplers 510a, 510b as separate and discrete fluid couplers during use of the electrosurgical device 106, it has been found that having a gap spacing "GS" of at least about 2.0 mm between the electrodes 406a, 406b in combination with the positioning of the irrigation ports 508a, 508b reduces the undesirable coalescence of the surgical fluid couplers 510.

[0053] As Figure 5 best shown, the arrangement of the irrigation ports 508 defined by the outer lateral portions of the electrodes 406 facilitates discharging the surgical fluid 126 onto the electrodes 406a, 406b only at locations remote from other electrode surface portions facing each other. More specifically, the irrigation port 508a discharges the surgical fluid 126 onto the electrode 406a at an electrode location remote from the inner lateral surface portion of the electrode 406a facing the electrode 406b, and the irrigation port 508b discharges the surgical fluid 126 onto the electrode 406b at an electrode location remote from the inner lateral surface portion of the electrode 406b facing the electrode 406a.

[0054] According to the techniques of the present disclosure, the hand-held device 106 is configured to irrigate (e.g., deliver, release, or disperse via the irrigation ports 508) the surgical fluid 126 and also aspirate the residual surgical fluid 126. For example, as Figure 5 shown, the hand-held device 106 further defines a fluid suction tube 518 that defines an internal fluid suction tube lumen 512 (or "suction channel 512") that terminates distally in a fluid suction port 514. The fluid suction tube 518 is fluidly coupled via the fluid suction tube lumen 512 to a discharge reservoir 144 ( Figure 1 ), which is configured to receive the aspirated surgical fluid. The fluid suction tube 518 is operatively coupled (e.g., via Figure 1 the suction tubing 140) to a suction source 144, such as a vacuum, a pump, or other suitable suction source.

[0055] Figure 6 is Figure 1 and Figure 4 A perspective view of another exemplary distal portion 600 of the hand-held electrosurgical device 106. Except for any differences explicitly noted herein, the distal portion 600 is Figure 5 an example of the distal portion 500.

[0056] The distal portion 600 includes two circular or oval irrigation ports 608a, 608b (collectively "irrigation ports 608") defined by the furthest distal end of the elongate shaft 408 and positioned on opposite lateral sides of the electrodes 606a, 606b (e.g., along the lateral axis "Y"). The irrigation ports 608 are Figure 5Examples of the irrigation port 508, as they are configured to strategically disperse the surgical fluid 126 ( Figure 1 , such as saline) to fluidly enhance the electrosurgical procedure.

[0057] The distal portion 600 includes electrodes 606a, 606b (collectively referred to as "electrodes 606") having a substantially semi-tubular shape. That is, each of the electrodes 606a, 606b defines a substantially "C"-shaped cross-sectional area. In particular, the semi-tubular electrodes 606a, 606b are oriented relative to each other so as to jointly define a suction lumen or channel 612 therebetween (e.g., Figure 5 the suction lumen 512), and such that their most distal ends jointly define a fluid suction port 614. The suction port 614 is Figure 5 an example of the suction port 514, as the suction port is configured to aspirate residual surgical fluid 126 from the target treatment site.

[0058] In Figure 6 the particular example shown, the electrodes 606 are laterally spaced apart (e.g., along the lateral "Y" axis) by a pair of non-conductive spacers 610a, 610b (collectively referred to as "spacers 610") extending distally from the most distal end of the elongate shaft 408, such that the non-conductive spacers 610 define the upper and lower walls of the central suction lumen 612 and the upper and lower edges of the central suction port 614.

[0059] Figures 7 to 11 An exemplary distal portion 700 of the electrosurgical device 106 is shown. Except for any differences expressly noted herein, the distal portion 700 is Figure 1 an example of the distal portion 600. For example, unlike Figure 6 the substantially semi-tubular electrodes 606a, 606b, Figure 6 the electrodes 706a, 706b of Figures 7 to 11 are substantially linear, e.g., along the distal-to-proximal "Z" axis. As best shown in Figure 11 , the inner and outer surfaces of each of the electrodes 706 may define a slight curvature, however, the curvature is substantially less pronounced than the corresponding curvature of the electrodes 606. In other examples, the curvature may be more or less pronounced.

[0060] Figure 12 is a flowchart 1200 showing techniques for performing an electrosurgical procedure in accordance with the techniques of the present disclosure. Figure 12 The operations are applicable to any or all examples of the electrosurgical device 106 as shown and described herein.

[0061] At step 1202, the clinician actuates a first user input mechanism 146 of the handheld electrosurgical device 106 to deploy a surgical fluid 126, such as saline, from one or more irrigation ports defined by the distalmost end of the elongate shaft 408 of the device 106.

[0062] At steps 1204 and 1206, the clinician actuates a second user input mechanism 138 to cause an electric current to pass from the first electrode through the target tissue 516 and return to the second electrode of the device 106 in the presence of the surgical fluid 126 in order to appropriately seal, coagulate, etc., the target tissue 516.

[0063] At step 1208, the clinician actuates a third user input mechanism 148 of the handheld electrosurgical device 106 to enable a suction source 142 that is configured to aspirate any residual surgical fluid 126, ablated tissue, or other undesired material from the target treatment site via a central suction port 614 defined jointly by the electrode and a pair of non-conductive spacers 610.

[0064] It should be understood that the individual operations of the techniques of the present disclosure can be performed in any order or simultaneously, so long as the techniques remain functional for the desired outcome or result.

[0065] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to electrosurgical devices having additional functionality such as fluid irrigation provided to the target treatment site and / or fluid aspiration from the target treatment site. In some such examples, the electrosurgical device can include a catheter, port, or passageway and be connected to a fluid source and / or pump. Advantageously, providing suction and electrical energy to the tissue simultaneously allows for the aspiration of debris and / or tissue cut by the electrode. Additional actuators can be included on the handpiece to control the flow or aspiration of the fluid.

[0066] Various examples of systems, devices, and techniques have been described herein. These examples are given by way of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. Additionally, it should be understood that the various features of the described embodiments can be combined in various ways to produce many additional embodiments. Moreover, although various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations, locations, etc., may have been described for use with the disclosed embodiments, other materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations, locations, etc., other than those disclosed can be utilized without exceeding the scope of the claimed invention.

[0067] Although dependent claims in the claims may refer to specific combinations with one or more other claims, other embodiments can also include combinations of a dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or combinations of one or more features with other dependent claims or independent claims. Such combinations are presented herein unless expressly stated not to be directed to a particular combination.

[0068] Any incorporation by reference of the above documents is limited such that no subject matter contrary to the explicit disclosure herein is incorporated. Any incorporation by reference of the above documents is further limited such that any claims contained in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of the above documents is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0069] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) will not be invoked unless the specific terms "means for" or "step for" are recited in the claim.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical device, the electrosurgical device comprising: a proximal portion including an electrical connector configured to be electrically coupled to a generator configured to provide electrical energy; a distal portion defining at least one irrigation port configured to deliver surgical fluid distally to a target treatment site; a first electrode extending distally from the distal portion, the first electrode configured to provide the delivered current to the target treatment site; and a second electrode extending distally from the distal portion, the second electrode configured to receive a return current from the target treatment site; wherein the first electrode is oriented relative to the second electrode such that a central suction lumen is defined between the first electrode and the second electrode, the central suction lumen configured to suction the surgical fluid proximally from the target treatment site.

2. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode define a substantially semi-tubular shape.

3. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, the electrosurgical device further comprising a pair of non-conductive spacers extending distally from the distal portion of the electrosurgical device between the first electrode and the second electrode such that the non-conductive spacers define upper and lower walls of the central suction lumen.

4. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one irrigation port is disposed laterally outward from the first electrode or the second electrode.

5. The electrosurgical device according to claim 1, wherein the surgical fluid comprises saline.

6. A method of performing an electrosurgical procedure, the method comprising: delivering surgical fluid to a target treatment site within a patient via at least one irrigation port defined by a distal portion of an electrosurgical device; providing the delivered current to the target treatment site via a first electrode extending distally from the distal portion of the electrosurgical device; receiving a return current from the target treatment site via a second electrode extending distally from the distal portion of the electrosurgical device; and suctioning the surgical fluid from the target treatment site via a central suction lumen defined by the first electrode and the second electrode.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode define a substantially semi-tubular shape.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the electrosurgical device further comprises a pair of non-conductive spacers extending distally from the distal portion of the electrosurgical device between the first electrode and the second electrode such that the non-conductive spacers define upper and lower walls of the central suction lumen.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least one irrigation port is disposed laterally outward from the first electrode or the second electrode.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the surgical fluid comprises saline.

11. A medical system, the medical system comprising: A generator configured to provide electrical energy; and An electrosurgical device comprising: A proximal portion including an electrical connector configured to be electrically coupled to the generator; A distal portion defining at least one irrigation port configured to deliver surgical fluid distally to a target treatment site; A first electrode extending distally from the distal portion, the first electrode configured to provide the delivered current to the target treatment site; and A second electrode extending distally from the distal portion, the second electrode configured to receive a return current from the target treatment site; Wherein the first electrode is oriented relative to the second electrode so as to define a central aspiration lumen therebetween, the central aspiration lumen configured to aspirate the surgical fluid proximally from the target treatment site.

12. The medical system according to claim 11, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode define a substantially semi-tubular shape.

13. The medical system according to claim 11, the electrosurgical device further comprising a pair of non-conductive spacers extending distally from the distal portion of the electrosurgical device between the first electrode and the second electrode such that the non-conductive spacers define upper and lower walls of the central aspiration lumen.

14. The medical system according to claim 11, wherein the at least one irrigation port is disposed laterally outward from the first electrode or the second electrode.

15. The medical system according to claim 11, wherein the surgical fluid comprises saline.

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