US6805130B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods for electrosurgical tendon vascularization
Assignee: Arthrocare Corp
•
Filing: 2001-04-27
•
Granted: 2004-10-19
•
Expires: 2021-04-27
Abstract
Abstract Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for promoting blood flow to a target tissue. In one aspect, the invention involves canalizing or boring channels, divots, trenches or holes through an avascular connective tissue, or through a tissue having sparse vascularity, such as a tendon or a meniscus, in order to increase blood flow within the tissue. In one method, an active electrode is positioned in close proximity to a target site on a tendon, and a high frequency voltage difference is applied between the active electrode and a return electrode to selectively ablate tendon tissue at the target site, thereby forming a channel or void in the tendon. The active electrode(s) may be moved relative to the tendon during, or after, the application of electrical energy to damage or sculpt a void within the tendon, such as a hole, channel, crater, or the like. In another aspect of the invention, an electrosurgical probe is used to elicit a wound healing response in a target tissue, such as an injured tendon, in order to stimulate vascularization of the target tissue. The present invention may also be used for vascularization of a torn or damaged tissue in conjunction with a surgical repair procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 James P. Tasto
- 👤 Jean Woloszko
- 👤 Philip E. Eggers
- 👤 Hira V. Thapliyal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:21
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/148; A61B18/1482; A61B18/1492; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2493; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B2017/00106; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00243; A61B2017/00247; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/0016; A61B2018/00172; A61B2018/00178; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00577; A61B2018/00583; A61B2018/00636; A61B2018/00696; A61B2018/00702; A61B2018/00738; A61B2018/00755; A61B2018/00773; A61B2018/00875; A61B2018/00982; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1273; A61B2018/1467; A61B2018/1472; A61B18/16; A61B2018/162; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/378; A61B2090/3782; A61F2/95
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of promoting blood flow to a target tissue, the method comprising: positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to promote vascularization of the target tissue, wherein the target tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of promoting blood flow to a target tissue, the method comprising: positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to promote vascularization of the target tissue, wherein the target tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the vascularization of the target tissue is at least partly accomplished by volumetric removal of a portion of the target tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 , further comprising: advancing at least a distal surface of the active electrode into a space vacated by the volumetrically removed target tissue.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said applying step comprises applying the high frequency voltage between the active electrode and a return electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to volumetrically remove at least a portion of the target tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the return electrode is located on an external surface of a patient's body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein the return electrode and the active electrode are both located on an electrosurgical probe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 4 , further comprising: placing an electrically conductive fluid between the active electrode and the return electrode, the electrically conductive fluid providing a current flow path between the active electrode and the return electrode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the electrically conductive fluid comprises isotonic saline.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the vascularization of the target tissue is at least partly accomplished by forming a void within the target tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the comprises a channel, a hole, or a furrow within the target tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the void has a lateral dimension in the range of from about 0.5 mm to about 2.0 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein the void has a depth in the range of from about 0.5 mm to about 4.0 cm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the active electrode comprises a single electrode adjacent to a distal end of an electrosurgical probe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the electrosurgical probe includes an electrode array comprising a plurality of electrically isolated active electrodes, and wherein said applying step comprises applying the high frequency voltage to the electrode array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: providing an electrically conductive fluid between the active electrode and the target tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: introducing at least a distal end of an electrosurgical probe into a patient's knee, shoulder, or elbow; wherein said positioning step comprises positioning the distal end of the probe in at least close proximity to the tendon within the knee, the shoulder, or the elbow.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of vascularizing a region of a tendon, comprising: positioning a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument adjacent to the tendon; and applying energy to the tendon to heat the tendon to promote blood flow to the tendon.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
39 words
A method of vascularizing a region of a tendon, comprising: positioning a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument adjacent to the tendon; and applying energy to the tendon to heat the tendon to promote blood flow to the tendon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the energy applied is sufficient to damage the tendon.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said applying step is sufficient to remove a portion of the tendon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said applying step comprises applying a high frequency voltage difference between an active electrode located on the electrosurgical instrument and a return electrode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising providing an electrically conductive fluid between the active electrode and the return electrode to provide a current flow path therebetween.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising forming a hole in the tendon.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 17 , further comprising forming a channel in the tendon.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of vascularizing a tendon, the method comprising: positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the tendon; and heating the tendon via a voltage applied to the active electrode so as to damage the tendon, wherein the damage is sufficient to cause a neovascular response and increased blood flow to the tendon.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
56 words
A method of vascularizing a tendon, the method comprising: positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the tendon; and heating the tendon via a voltage applied to the active electrode so as to damage the tendon, wherein the damage is sufficient to cause a neovascular response and increased blood flow to the tendon.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of vascularizing a target tissue, the method comprising: a) positioning an electrosurgical probe in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and b) applying sufficient radio frequency energy to the target tissue to promote blood flow to the target tissue, wherein the target tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of vascularizing a target tissue, the method comprising: a) positioning an electrosurgical probe in at least close proximity to the target tissue; and b) applying sufficient radio frequency energy to the target tissue to promote blood flow to the target tissue, wherein the target tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step b) comprises volumetrically removing a portion of the target tissue.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step b) comprises forming at least one void within the target tissue.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step b) comprises forming at least one channel in the target tissue.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step b) comprises inducing a wound healing response in the target tissue.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step b) comprises heating the target tissue, and the heating promotes vascularization of the target tissue.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein said step b) induces angiogenesis in the target tissue.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of vascularizing a target tissue where the target tissue is a non-cardiac tissue, the method comprising: a) positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue at a first location; b) applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to form a first channel within the target tissue at the first location; c) re-positioning the active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue at a subsequent location; d) applying the high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to form a subsequent channel within the target tissue at the subsequent location; and e) sequentially repeating said steps c) and d) until a suitable number of channels have been formed within the target tissue.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of vascularizing a target tissue where the target tissue is a non-cardiac tissue, the method comprising: a) positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue at a first location; b) applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to form a first channel within the target tissue at the first location; c) re-positioning the active electrode in at least close proximity to the target tissue at a subsequent location; d) applying the high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to form a subsequent channel within the target tissue at the subsequent location; and e) sequentially repeating said steps c) and d) until a suitable number of channels have been formed within the target tissue.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the non-cardiac tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 32 , further comprising: f) inserting an implant in at least one of the number of channels.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the implant comprises a device selected from the group consisting of: a stent, a splint, or a hemostasis plug.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein the implant comprises an elongate device adapted for affixing a portion of severed tissue to a second portion of tissue.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 36 , wherein the target tissue is the meniscus of the knee.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the first channel and the subsequent channel are formed via molecular dissociation of target tissue components.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the molecular dissociation of target tissue components is plasma-induced.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 39 , wherein the plasma is generated by high electric field intensities in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid, the high electric field intensities located at a surface of the active electrode.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-10-19 | 2008-04-19 | 2008-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-10-19 | 2012-04-19 | 2012-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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