Vacuum coagulation & dissection probes

Abstract

A surgical device integrating a suction mechanism with a coagulation mechanism is provided for improving lesion creation capabilities. The device comprises an elongate member having an insulative covering attached about means for coagulating soft tissue. Openings through the covering expose regions of the coagulation-causing elements and are coupled to lumens in the elongate member which are routed to a vacuum source. A fluid source to passively transport fluid along the contacted soft tissue surface may be provided in order to push the maximum temperature deeper into tissue.

1 . A surgical device for coagulating soft tissue comprising:
 an elongate member comprising a side wall and a lumen;   a tissue heating element adjacent the side wall; and   an opening through the side wall in communication with the lumen and exposing the tissue heating element, the tissue heating element being exposed only at the opening so that a seal causing intimate tissue contact with the tissue heating element can be formed upon connecting the lumen to vacuum.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue heating element comprises at least one helical winding having at least one pitch and at least one winding width. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pitch is greater than or equal to two times the width. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the pitch is greater than or equal to four times the width. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an external surface of the side wall along the opening is offset from the conductive element by a distance, wherein the width of the opening is greater than or equal to the offset distance. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the width of the opening is greater than two times the offset distance. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue heating element comprises an electrode. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrode is adapted to transmit RF energy to heat tissue. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the electrode is adapted to heat tissue by resistive heating of the electrode. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the tissue heating element comprises a transmission body structurally sufficient to transmit vibration. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the transmission body defines a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the transmission body comprises a plurality of rings. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the transmission body comprises a helix. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the transmission body is connected to a drive shaft. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tissue heating element comprises a means for tissue coagulation. 
     
     
         16 . A system for coagulating soft tissue comprising:
 a device as described by  claim 1 , and a generator.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the device is further as described by  claim 8  and the generator comprises an RF generator. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the device is further as described by  claim 9  and the generator comprises a DC power supply. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the device is further as described by  claim 10  and the generator is an ultrasonic generator. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a vacuum source connected to the lumen.