Tissue coagulation method and device using inert gas

1. An electrosurgical apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:

a first tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end configured to receive pressurized ionizable gas and the distal end configured to deliver ionized gas towards a treatment area;

at least one electrode positioned to selectively ionize the pressurized ionizable gas prior to the pressurized ionizable gas exiting the distal end of the first tube, the electrode adapted to be operatively coupled to an electrical energy source; and

a second tube having proximal and distal ends, the second tube configured to selectively evacuate the ionized gas and dislodged tissue material from the treatment area, wherein the distal end of the first tube extends distally beyond the distal end of the second tube and wherein the distal end of the second tube extends distally beyond a distal end of the at least one electrode,

wherein the electrosurgical apparatus is configured for simultaneous use for monopolar ablation and to ionize the ionizable gas while the distal end of the second tube extends distally beyond the distal end of the at least one electrode.

2. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first tube is concentrically disposed within the second tube.

3. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a regulator that regulates the flow of pressurized argon through the first tube, the regulator disposed between a gas supply of the pressurized argon and the proximal end of the first tube.

4. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a fluid agitator, the fluid agitator configured to impart non-laminar flow characteristics to the pressurized ionizable gas.

5. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the fluid agitator is disposed within the first tube.

6. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pressurized ionizable gas is used to cool tissue.

7. The electrosurgical apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first tube defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal position of the at least one electrode is fixed with respect to the first tube and the second tube.

8. A method for coagulating tissue, the method including the steps of:

providing an electrosurgical apparatus, the electrosurgical apparatus including a first tube, at least one electrode positioned to selectively ionize pressurized ionizable gas prior to the pressurized ionizable gas exiting the first tube, and a second tube, wherein a distal end of the first tube extends distally beyond a distal end of the second tube and wherein the distal end of the second tube extends distally beyond a distal end of the at least one electrode;

inserting a portion of the electrosurgical apparatus into tissue;

activating the first tube with a first electrical potential;

activating a second structure with a second electrical potential;

delivering gas through the first tube towards the treatment area;

removing gas from the treatment area via the second tube; and

simultaneously ablating tissue in a monopolar manner and ionizing the pressurized ionizable gas flowing through the electrosurgical apparatus while the distal end of the second tube extends distally beyond the distal end of the at least one electrode.

9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the second structure includes a remote patient pad.

10. The method according to claim 8 , further including the step of inserting an introducer into tissue.

11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the first tube is concentrically disposed within the second tube.

12. The method according to claim 8 , further including the step of regulating the flow of gas through the first tube via a regulator.

13. The method according to claim 8 , further including the step of imparting a non-laminar flow to the gas via a fluid agitator.

14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the fluid agitator is disposed within the first tube.

15. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the gas is used to cool tissue.

16. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the gas includes argon.

17. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the first tube defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the longitudinal position of the at least one electrode is fixed with respect to the first tube and the second tube.