Medical ablation system and method of use

摘要

Cartilage and other tissues are treated by generating a plasma in an interior space of a probe and exposing the tissue to the plasma. The plasma is released through a gap in a working end of the probe.

主权项

1. A system for treating a target tissue, said system comprising:
a probe having an interior space and a working end with a working surface; a gap in a wall of the working end, wherein the gap has a spacing which is sufficiently fluid tight to inhibit liquid flow but permit plasma propagation therethrough; means for igniting a plasma within the interior space, wherein the plasma propagates outwardly from the interior space through the gap to the working surface.