Electrode assembly

Abstract

An electrode assembly is provided for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly comprising an elongate shaft, at least one arm, first connection means for connecting the arm to a source of electrosurgical energy, and a tissue treatment element at the end of the arm. The arm includes a suction lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the suction lumen terminating in the general region of the tissue treatment element, and the proximal end of the suction lumen including second connection means for connecting the suction lumen to a source of suction.

1 . An electrode assembly for use in a resectoscope, the electrode assembly comprising;
 an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis,   at least one arm depending from the shaft and angled to the longitudinal axis of the shaft,   first connection means for connecting the arm to a source of electrosurgical energy, and   a tissue treatment element at the end of the arm,   wherein the arm includes a suction lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end of the suction lumen terminating in the general region of the tissue treatment element, and the proximal end of the suction lumen including second connection means for connecting the suction lumen to a source of suction.   
     
     
         2 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a wire constituting the first connection means for connecting the arm to a source of electrosurgical energy, and a hollow tube constituting the suction lumen. 
     
     
         3 . An electrode assembly according to claim wherein the hollow tube surrounds the wire. 
     
     
         4 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the wire is a rigid wire constituting the structural support for the tissue treatment element. 
     
     
         5 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a hollow tube constituting both the suction lumen and the first connection means for connecting the arm to a source of electrosurgical energy. 
     
     
         6 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein the hollow tube constitutes the structural support for the tissue treatment element. 
     
     
         7 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrode assembly includes at least two arms, wherein optionally the tissue treatment element depends from both of the arms. 
     
     
         8 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein both of the arms are provided with a suction lumen. 
     
     
         9 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the tissue treatment element comprises any of: a cutting loop, a roller electrode, a slider electrode, or a button electrode. 
     
     
         10 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the tissue treatment element includes at least one aperture in communication with the suction lumen. 
     
     
         11 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the tissue treatment element includes a plurality of apertures in communication with the suction lumen. 
     
     
         12 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm includes at least one aperture in communication with the suction lumen. 
     
     
         13 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm includes a suction hood adapted to direct material in the general region of the tissue treatment element into the suction lumen. 
     
     
         14 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm depends from the shaft at an angle such that a suitably sized surface of the tissue treatment element to provide for tissue treatment faces in a direction substantially normal to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         15 . An electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm depends from the shaft at an angle of at least 30 degrees, or more preferably at least 45 degrees, to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The electrode assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one arm depends from the shaft at an angle of at least 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.