Electrosurgical device

Abstract

An electrosurgical assembly is disclosed, the assembly having two, three or more electrodes configured to provide advantageous tissue removal and precision for conducting electrosurgical procedures, including improved ablation and coagulation of tissue. The electrodes are configured and arranged so that energy can be applied in a highly uniform and precise fashion, depending upon the application. In addition, the electrosurgical assembly allows flexibility in use by, in some embodiments, allowing selective switching of the active and return electrodes, and also selective switching between ablation and coagulation modes. In certain embodiments the invention includes one or more electrodes having the ability to undergo changes in shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
       An electrosurgical apparatus comprising:
 a first electrode having a proximal end and a distal end; 
 a second electrode at least partially disposed proximate to the distal end of the first electrode; and 
 a third electrode at least partially disposed proximate to the proximal end of the first electrode. 
 
     
     
         2 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first electrode is positioned substantially intermediate the second and third electrodes. 
     
     
         3 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first electrode is separated from the second and third electrodes by at least one insulator. 
     
     
         4 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first electrode is generally axially symmetric in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein at least one of the second electrode and third electrode is generally axially symmetric in shape. 
     
     
         6 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1  wherein the first electrode comprises a conductive lattice. 
     
     
         7 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , further comprising a manipulation means in mechanical communication with the at least one first electrode, the manipulation means configured to apply a mechanical force to change the shape of the first electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the manipulation means is anchored proximate to the second electrode. 
     
     
         9 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first electrode comprises an active electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the second electrode comprises a return electrode. 
     
     
         11 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the third electrode comprises a return electrode. 
     
     
         12 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein at least a portion of the second electrode is surrounded by the first electrode. 
     
     
         13 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein at least a portion of the third electrode is surrounded by the first electrode. 
     
     
         14 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first electrode is in one of the forms in the group consisting of: at least one coiled wire, braided electrically conductive material, and woven electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         15 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the manipulation means is configured to manipulate the diameter of the first electrode. 
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the ratio of percent of current flow from the second and third electrodes to the first electrode is approximately 10-90 percent:90-10 percent. 
     
     
         17 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the ratio of percent of current flow from the second and third electrodes to the first electrode is approximately 20-80 percent:80-20 percent. 
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the ratio of percent of current flow from the second and third electrodes to the first electrode is approximately 40-60 percent:60-40 percent. 
     
     
         19 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the ratio of percent of current flow from the second and third electrodes to the first electrode is approximately 50:50 percent. 
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical apparatus of claim  1 , wherein the first electrode has an active surface extending less than 270 degrees around the axis of the electrode assembly. 
     
     
         21 .- 63 . (canceled)