Apparatus for coagulating tissue

Abstract

An apparatus for coagulating tissue, including a gas-delivering device for delivering a plasma comprised of an ionized inert gas from the outlet of the gas-delivering device, an electrode adapted to supply a high-frequency current that projects out of the gas-delivering device and a guiding device disposed at a distal end of the electrode. The relative configuration of the outlet of the gas-delivering device and the guiding device are such that the plasma (and an electric arc) can be directed in any direction 360° with respect to the outlet of the gas-delivering device. The plasma is directed along a path of least electric resistance, thus causing the plasma to be directed to a tissue to be treated, regardless of a position of the tissue relative to a rotational position of the outlet of the gas-delivering device.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising
 a gas-delivering device defining an outlet and adapted to deliver, in use, a plasma comprised of an ionized inert gas from the outlet of the gas-delivering device;   an electrode adapted to supply a high-frequency current, a distal end of the electrode projecting out of the gas-delivering device; and   a guiding device disposed at a distal end of the electrode, wherein the outlet of the gas-delivering device and the guiding device are adapted such that at least a portion of the plasma is directed to a tissue to be treated, regardless of a position of the tissue relative to a rotational position of the outlet of the gas-delivering device.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the gas-delivering device and the guiding device are adapted such that the plasma can be directed in any direction 360° with respect to the outlet of the gas-delivering device. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when a high-frequency current is supplied to the plasma, an electric arc is formed between the electrode and the tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the gas-delivering device and the guiding device are adapted such that the plasma is directed along a path of least electric resistance, causing the plasma to be automatically directed to the tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the guiding device is comprised of an electrically insulating material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the guiding device is comprised of a thermally stable material. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the guiding device is comprised of a ceramic material. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the guiding device defines a concave configuration on a side thereof that faces the outlet. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the guiding device defines a rounded contour in order to prevent mechanical damage if it touches the tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrode is movable relative to the outlet such that when the electrode is moved into a retracted position the guiding device closes the outlet in a substantially leakproof manner. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising
 a gas-delivering device defining an outlet and adapted to deliver, in use, a plasma comprised of an ionized inert gas from the outlet of the gas-delivering device;   an electrode adapted to supply a high-frequency current, a distal end of the electrode projecting out of the gas-delivering device; and   a guiding device disposed at a distal end of the electrode, wherein the outlet of the gas-delivering device and the guiding device are adapted such that when a high-frequency current is supplied to the plasma, an electric arc can be formed in any direction 360° with respect to the outlet of the gas-delivering device.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the outlet of the gas-delivering device and the guiding device are adapted such that the plasma is directed along a path of least electric resistance, causing the electric arc to be automatically directed to a tissue to be treated, regardless of a position of the tissue relative to a rotational position of the outlet of the gas-delivering device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the guiding device is comprised of an electrically insulating material. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the guiding device is comprised of a thermally stable material. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the guiding device is comprised of a ceramic material. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the guiding device defines a concave configuration on a side thereof that faces the outlet. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the guiding device defines a rounded contour in order to prevent mechanical damage if it touches the tissue. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the electrode is movable relative to the outlet such that when the electrode is moved into a retracted position the guiding device closes the outlet in a substantially leakproof manner. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising
 a gas-delivering device defining an outlet and adapted to deliver, in use, a plasma comprised of an ionized inert gas from the outlet of the gas-delivering device;   an electrode adapted to supply a high-frequency current, a distal end of the electrode projecting out of the gas-delivering device; and   a guiding device disposed at a distal end of the electrode, wherein the outlet of the gas-delivering device and the guiding device are adapted such that the plasma can be directed in any direction 360° with respect to the outlet of the gas-delivering device, the plasma being directed along a path of least electric resistance, causing the plasma to be directed to a tissue to be treated, regardless of a position of the tissue relative to a rotational position of the outlet of the gas-delivering device.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein when a high-frequency current is supplied to the plasma, an electric arc is formed between the electrode and the tissue to be treated. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guiding device is adapted such that the plasma is directed perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis X of the gas-delivering device. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the concave configuration on the side of the guiding device that faces the outlet, comprises a concave surface that extends to a rim of the guiding device, in a perpendicular manner relative to a longitudinal axis X of the gas-delivering device. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the guiding device is supported on the electrode.