Electrical discharge irrigator apparatus and method

Abstract

An electrical discharge irrigation device and method is described. An electrical discharge irrigation device includes a power source, a circuit coupled to the power source, and an output tip coupled to the circuit. The output tip includes a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them, an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip configured to receive an electrical charge from the circuit and to release an electric discharge, and a ground return including an inner surface of the output tip, wherein a space between the electrode and the ground return comprises a conductive medium, the conductive medium being in contact with the electrode and the ground return to produce the electric discharge.

1 . An electrical discharge irrigation device, comprising:
 a power source;   a circuit coupled to the power source; and   an output tip coupled to the circuit, the output tip comprising:
 a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them; 
 an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip configured to receive an electrical charge from the circuit and to release an electric discharge; and 
 a ground return comprising an inside surface of the output tip, wherein a space between the electrode and the ground return comprises a conductive medium, the conductive medium being in contact with the electrode and the ground return to produce the electric discharge. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one opening on an outside surface of the output tip, wherein the electrical discharge creates cavitation within the conductive medium. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein sonoluminescence occurs responsive to the cavitation and wherein light is visible to an operator of the device during operation of the device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claims 1 , wherein the conductive medium exits the output tip through the at least one opening in the tip. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the output tip can be utilized to create an incision in tissue when at least one of the output tip or the conductive medium is positioned adjacent to the tissue. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , the output tip further comprising a pressure control mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the output tip is comprised of a malleable material. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrode opposes the inner surface at a distance,
 wherein the electrode is cylindrical,   wherein the inner surface is cylindrical, and   wherein the distance is equal between the electrode and the inner surface when measured from the electrode to the inner surface around the circumference of the electrode.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the output tip further comprises an insulating layer in contact with one of the electrode and the ground return, the insulating layer comprising at least one perforation, the at least one perforation defining an area for electrical coupling between the electrode and the ground return. 
     
     
         10 . A method of producing at least one of cavitation and/or plasma discharge, comprising:
 obtaining an electrical discharge irrigation device, comprising:
 a trigger to engage the device; 
 a power source; 
 a circuit coupled to the power source; and 
 an output tip coupled to the circuit, the output tip comprising:
 a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them; 
 an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip configured to receive an electrical charge from the circuit and to release an electric discharge; and 
 a ground return comprising an inside surface of the output tip, 
 
 wherein a space between the electrode and the ground return comprises a first conductive medium, the first conductive medium being in contact with the electrode and the ground return to produce the electric discharge, 
   positioning the output tip of the device adjacent to a target;   engaging the trigger on the device to control the electric discharge; and   utilizing the electrical discharge to create compression waves within the first conductive medium, causing the first conductive medium to exit the output tip through the at least one opening in the output tip.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one opening on an outside surface of the output tip, wherein the electrical discharge creates cavitation within the first conductive medium. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein sonoluminescence occurs responsive to the cavitation and wherein light is visible to an operator of the device during operation of the device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 positioning the output tip adjacent to an object; and   making an incision in the object.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the output tip further comprises a pressure control mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the output tip is comprised of a malleable material. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrode opposes the inner surface at a distance,
 wherein the electrode is cylindrical,   wherein the inner surface is cylindrical, and   wherein the distance is equal between the electrode and the inner surface when measured from the electrode to the inner surface around the circumference of the electrode.   
     
     
         17 . An output tip comprising:
 a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis extending between them;   an electrode located in an interior space of the output tip configured to receive an electrical charge from the circuit and to release an electric discharge; and   a ground return comprising an inner surface of the output tip, wherein a space between the electrode and the ground return comprises a first conductive medium, the first conductive medium being in contact with the electrode and the ground return to produce an environment for the electric discharge; and   at least one aperture extending through the outside surface of the output tip, wherein the outside surface of the tip is cylindrical   
     
     
         18 . The output tip of  claim 17 , wherein the electrode opposes the inner surface at a distance,
 wherein the electrode is cylindrical,   wherein the inner surface is cylindrical, and   wherein the distance is equal between the electrode and the inner surface when measured from the electrode to the inner surface around the circumference of the electrode.   
     
     
         19 . The output tip of  claim 17 , further comprising a pressure control mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The output tip of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 an insulating layer adjacent to the outside surface of the tip; and   an insulating layer between the inner surface and the electrode,
 wherein the electrode comprises an array of individual electrodes.