TISSUE EXTRACTION DEVICES AND METHODS

摘要

Tissue may be cut and extracted from an interior location in a patient's body using a probe or tool which both effects cutting and causes vaporization of a liquid or other fluid to propel the cut tissue through an extraction lumen of the cutting device. The cutting may be achieved using an electrosurgical electrode assembly, including a first electrode on a cutting member and a second electrode within a cutting probe or tool. Thus, over a first cutting portion, radio frequency current may help cut the tissue and over a second or over transition region, the RF current may initiate vaporization of the fluid or other liquid to propel the tissue from the cutting device.

主权项

1. An electrosurgical system for cutting and extracting tissue, said system comprising:
an elongated probe including an inner sleeve which comprises or carries a first polarity electrode and an outer sleeve which comprises or carries a second polarity electrode; wherein the inner sleeve reciprocates within the outer sleeve and is configured to operate in a first mode wherein the inner sleeve is advanced to cut and capture tissue and in a second mode wherein RF energy is applied to a fluid volume to vaporize the fluid to expel the captured tissue.