Electrosurgical conductive gas stream technique of achieving improved eschar ...

[54] ELECTROSURGICAL CONDUCTIVE GAS STREAM TECHNIQUE OF ACHIEVING IMPROVED ESCHAR FOR COAGULATION

[75] Inventors: Francis T. McGreeyy, Aurora; Carol Bertrand; Karl W. Hahn, both of Englewood, all of Colo.

[73] Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc., Murray Hills, N.J.

[21] Appl. No.: 849,950

[22] Filed: Apr. 8,1986

[51] Int. CI.* A61B 17/39

[52] U.S. CI. 128/303.17; 219/121.5;

219/121.51

[58] Field of Search 128/303.13, 303.14,

128/303.17, 303.1; 215/74, 75, 121 P, 121 PC, 121 PP, 121 PQ, 121 PR, 121 PU, 121 PV, 121

PW, 121 PT

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3,649,805 3/1972 Rohrberg 219/121 PP

3,838,242 9/1974 Goucher 128/303.1 X

3,903,891 9/1975 Brayshaw 128/303.14

3,991,764 11/1976 Incropera et al 219/121 P X

4,040,426 8/1977 Morrison, Jr 128/303.17

4,060,088 11/1977 Morrison, Jr. et al. ... 219/121 PQ X

4,188,927 2/1980 Harris 128/303.14

4,209,018 6/1980 Meinke et al 128/303.17

4.271.837 6/1981 Schuler 128/303.14

4,378,801 4/1983 Ooster 128/303.14

4,429,694 2/1984 McGreevy 128/303.14

4.562.838 1/1986 Walker 128/303.14

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

3119735 1/1983 Fed. Rep. of

Germany 128/303.13

671497 5/1952 United Kingdom .
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OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Kimura et al., "Use of Gas Jet. .. Photocoagulation", IEEE Trans. Bio. Med. Eng., vol. BME-25, No. 3, May 1975, p. 218.

Lanzafame et al., "The Effect of CO2 Laser . . . ", La-
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Primary Examiner—Lee S. Cohen
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—John R. Ley

[57] ABSTRACT

An electrosurgical technique of achieving coagulation involves conducting a predetermined ionizable gas in a jet to the tissue at a predetermined flow rate sufficient to clear natural fluids from the tissue and to substantially expose the tissue stroma. Electrical radio frequency energy is conducted to the tissue in ionized conductive pathways in the gas jet. To achieve fulguration, the electrical energy is conducted as arcs in the ionized conductive pathways. To achieve a non-contact type of electrosurgical desiccation, the electrical energy is conducted as a non-arcing diffuse current in the ionized conductive pathways.

59 Claims, 23 Drawing Sheets