Electrical ablation devices and methods
View Patent ↗An ablation apparatus may generally comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end and a non-conductive tip at the distal end, a conductive sheath at least partially surrounding a portion of the elongated body intermediate the proximal end and the tip, and an electrical conductor electrically connected to the conductive sheath. The ablation apparatus may comprise a first electrode having a first diameter and a plurality of second electrodes each having a second diameter, wherein the first diameter is greater than the second diameter. Methods of using the ablation apparatus are also described.
1. An electrical ablation apparatus comprising:
an elongated body, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a non-conductive tip at the distal end; and
a tapered segment intermediate the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the tapered segment comprises a chamfer cut;
a conductive sheath at least partially surrounding the tapered segment; and
an electrical conductor electrically connected to the conductive sheath.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive tip comprises a ceramic material, a polymer, a glass material, a carbon material, and any combinations thereof.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the polymer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the conductive sheath comprises a metal.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of medical grade stainless steel and gold.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive tip is tapered.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive tip comprises a bevel cut.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the conductive sheath at least partially surrounds a portion of the chamfer cut.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the non-conductive tip comprises a cutting edge.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is electrically monopolar.
11. An electrical ablation apparatus, comprising:
an elongate portion, comprising:
a tapered segment comprising a cutout; and
a non-conductive cutting edge;
a conductive sheath positioned at least partially around the tapered segment proximal to the non-conductive cutting edge; and
an electrical conductor electrically connected to the conductive sheath.
12. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the non-conductive cutting edge is comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of a ceramic material, a polymer, a glass material, a carbon material, and any combinations thereof.
13. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the conductive sheath is comprised of a metal material.
14. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the electrical conductor is positioned in the cutout.
15. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the cutout comprises a chamfered edge.
16. An electrical ablation apparatus, comprising:
a body, including:
a non-conductive proximal portion;
a non-conductive distal portion comprising a distal tip; and
a tapered portion intermediate the non-conductive proximal portion and the non-conductive distal portion, wherein the tapered portion comprises an elongate opening;
a conductive intermediate portion circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the elongate opening; and
an electrical conductor electrically connected to the conductive intermediate portion.
17. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the distal tip is comprised of a material selected from a group consisting of a ceramic material, a polymer, a glass material, a carbon material, and any combinations thereof.
18. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the conductive intermediate portion is comprised of metal.
19. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the distal tip comprises a cutting edge.
20. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the distal tip comprises a beveled edge, and wherein the elongate opening comprises a chamfered edge.
21. The electrical ablation apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the chamfered edge comprises an external chamfer.