SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR ABLATION AND ASPIRATION

摘要

An electrosurgical aspiration instrument (10) that permits aspiration of an area being treated by the instrument. The instrument is coupled at a proxima l end (14) to a power source and includes an energy application surface area a t a distal end (12). The power source supplied energy to the energy applicatio n surface area such that the distal end (12) of the instrument (10) may apply energy to the treatment area to modify the characteristics of biological material, such as biological tissue in the area. An aspiration lumen (50) is formed through the instrument (10) with an opening (25) through the energy application surface area. The energy application surface area is configured to reduce blockage of the opening (25). Accordingly, aspiration may be performe d simultaneously with electrosurgical treatment whereby unwanted matter such a s by-products, biological debris and excess fluid is removed from the treatmen t area. The electrosurgical aspiration instrument (10) also permits both functions to be performed at different times, with the advantage of not requiring instruments to be switched on during the treatment procedure or removed from the treatment site.