Soft tissue RF transection and resection device

Abstract

An electrosurgical system and method for transecting or resecting a target tissue is provided. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator including an active terminal and a return terminal; a first electrically conductive element electrically connectable to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the first electrically conductive element being selectively movable between a first location of a target tissue and a second location of the target tissue; a second electrically conductive element electrically connectable to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the second electrically conductive element configured to couple to the first location of the target tissue; and a third electrically conductive element electrically connectable to the return terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the third electrically conductive element configured to couple to the second location of the target tissue.

1 . An electrosurgical system for transecting or resecting a target tissue, comprising: 
 an electrosurgical generator including an active terminal and a return terminal;    a first electrically conductive element electrically connectable to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the first electrically conductive element being selectively movable between a first location of a target tissue and a second location of the target tissue;    a second electrically conductive element electrically connectable to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the second electrically conductive element configured to couple to the first location of the target tissue; and    a third electrically conductive element electrically connectable to the return terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the third electrically conductive element configured to couple to the second location of the target tissue.    
   
   
       2 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrically conductive elements are electrically connected in parallel to one another.  
   
   
       3 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first electrically conductive element is a blade electrode.  
   
   
       4 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 3 , wherein the first electrically conductive element is associated with an electrosurgical pencil including a handle for supporting the blade electrode.  
   
   
       5 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 1 , wherein the second electrically conductive element is a needle electrode having a sharpened distal tip configured for percutaneous tissue penetration.  
   
   
       6 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 1 , wherein the third electrically conductive element is a needle electrode assembly having a sharpened distal tip configured for percutaneous tissue penetration.  
   
   
       7 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 6 , wherein the third electrically conductive element is associated with a third electrosurgical device that is adapted to connect in fluid communication to a fluid source having a circulatable fluid disposed therein.  
   
   
       8 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first electrically conductive element and the electrically conductive element are electrically connected to a common plug.  
   
   
       9 . A method of performing an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an electrosurgical system comprises: 
 an electrosurgical generator having an active and a return terminal;  
 a first electrosurgical device electrically connectable to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the first electrosurgical device being selectively movable along target tissue;  
 a second electrosurgical device electrically connectable to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the second electrosurgical device being selectively connectable to a first location of the target tissue; and  
 a third electrosurgical device electrically connectable to the return terminal of the electrosurgical generator, the third electrosurgical device being selectively connectable to a second location of the target tissue;  
   coupling the second electrosurgical device to the first location of the target tissue;    coupling the third electrosurgical device to the second location of the target tissue, wherein a resection line is defined between the first location and the second location; and    moving the first electrosurgical device substantially along the resection line to desiccate or divide the target tissue.    
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of causing RF energy to flow between the second electrosurgical device and the third electrosurgical device by removing the first electrosurgical device from the target tissue.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of connecting the first electrosurgical device and the second electrosurgical device in parallel.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of circulating a fluid through the third electrosurgical device.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the electrically conductive element of the first electrosurgical device is a blade; wherein the electrically conductive element of the second electrosurgical device includes at least one needle electrode; and wherein the electrically conductive element of the third electrosurgical device includes at least one hollow needle electrode assembly.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising the step of circulating a fluid through the at least one needle electrode assembly of the third electrosurgical device.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising connecting a fluid source fluidly to the hollow needle electrode assembly.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising connecting a plurality of needle electrodes electrically to the active terminal of the electrosurgical generator, and connecting a plurality of hollow needle electrode assemblies electrically to the return terminal of the electrosurgical generator.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of percutaneously introducing the needle electrode of the second electrosurgical device and the needle electrode assembly of the third electrosurgical device into the target tissue.  
   
   
       18 . A method of performing an electrosurgical procedure on a target tissue, the method comprising the steps of: 
 coupling a second electrosurgical device to a first location of a target tissue;    coupling a third electrosurgical device to a second location of the target tissue;    causing RF energy to flow between the first location and the second location;    coupling a first electrosurgical device at or substantially near the first location; and    moving the first electrosurgical device from the first location to the second location.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising the step of percutaneously introducing the needle electrode of the second electrosurgical device and the needle electrode assembly of the third electrosurgical device into the target tissue.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising the step of connecting a potentiometer to at least one of the first, second and third electrosurgical devices.