Voltage threshold ablation apparatus
The present invention relates to the field of electrosurgery, and more particularly to systems and methods for ablating, cauterizing and/or coagulating body tissue using radio frequency energy. More in particular, the systems utilize voltage threshold means for controlling the voltage applied to tissue in a cycle-to-cycle manner.
1. A surgical probe for applying electrical energy to tissue, a probe working end having an electrically non-conductive tissue-contacting surface with a thickness of less than about 1000 microns and an interior electrode within an interior of the working end coupled to an electrical source, and
a voltage threshold switch mechanism operatively coupled with the electrical source and the interior electrode, said switch located proximal the interior of the working end or within an interior of a handle portion of the probe.
2. A surgical probe as in claim 1 further comprising an opposing polarity electrode at an exterior of the working end, the opposing polarity electrode coupled to the electrical source.
3. A surgical probe as in claim 2 wherein the voltage threshold switch mechanism includes flow means for flowing a gas therethrough.
4. A surgical probe as in claim 1 wherein the surgical probe further comprises a microporous non-conductive ceramic body which carries the tissue contacting surface and has a thickness of less than about 500 microns.
5. A surgical probe as in claim 1 wherein the surgical probe further comprises a microporous non-conductive ceramic body which carries the tissue contacting surface and has a thickness of less than about 100 microns.
6. A surgical probe for applying electrical energy to tissue, the probe working end having an electrically non-conductive tissue-contacting surface with a thickness of less than about 1000 microns and an interior electrode within an interior of the working end coupled to an electrical source, and
a voltage threshold switch mechanism operatively coupled with the electrical source and the electrically non-conductive tissue-contacting surface, said switch located proximal the inferior of the working end or within an interior of a handle portion of the probe.
7. A surgical probe as in claim 6 further comprising an opposing polarity electrode at an exterior of the working end, the opposing polarity electrode coupled to the electrical source.
8. A surgical probe as in claim 7 wherein the voltage threshold switch mechanism includes flow means for flowing a gas therethrough.
9. A surgical probe as in claim 6 wherein the surgical probe further comprises a microporous non-conductive ceramic body which carries the tissue contacting surface and has a thickness of less than about 500 microns.
10. A surgical probe as in claim 6 wherein the surgical probe further comprises a microporous non-conductive ceramic body which carries the tissue contacting surface and has a thickness of less than about 100 microns.