RF Electrode array for low-rate collagen shrinkage in capsular shift procedures and methods of use

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided for an achieving low-rate collagen shrinkage using an electrode array comprising an elongated insulator strip having at least one pair of spaced-apart bi-polar RF electrodes, and a “channeling” disposed on the strip between the bi-polar electrodes to direct the flow of RF current therebetween. The channeling electrode is not directly coupled to the RF power source, but only indirectly through the tissue in contact with the channeling electrode. The apparatus enables low RF power levels (e.g., 0.5 watts to 25 watts) to be applied over time intervals of 5 seconds to 180 seconds to attain low-rate collagen shrinkage by directing or focusing the path of the RF current.

1 . A method of delivering bi-polar RF current from a RF source to tissue in a medical procedure comprising
 contacting a first tissue region with a first bi-polar electrode,   contacting a second tissue region with a second bi-polar electrode spaced apart from the first bi-polar electrode to form a bi-polar pair of electrodes,   contacting a third tissue region with an electrically conductive material having an elongated axis spaced intermediate the bi-polar pair of electrodes, the electrically conductive material being electrically insulated from the bi-polar pair of electrodes,   coupling the bi-polar pair of electrodes to a source of RF current, and   applying the RF current between the bi-polar pair of electrodes at a power in a range of about 0.5 to 25 watts for a time period in a range from about 5 to 180 seconds, the an electrically conductive material serving to direct a path of RF current generally parallel to the elongated axis through the third tissue region.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the RF current is applied between the bi-polar pair of electrodes at a power in a range of about 2 to 10 watts.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the RF current is applied between the bi-polar pair of electrodes for a time period in a range from about 10 to 60 seconds.