Radiofrequency Probe and Methods of Use and Manufacture of Same

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical device that includes an outer body, an inner body disposed partially within the outer body, three plates and an insulator. A first plate of the three plates includes a plurality of apertures and is positioned so that each of two projections extending from the inner body extend through a respective aperture of the plurality of apertures of the first plate. A second plate and a third plate of the three plates are both disposed on the first plate such that each of the two projections extends through an aperture of the second plate or the third plate, the second and third plates being fixed to a respective projection. The insulator is disposed around the inner body and is attached to the outer body at a first end and abuts the first plate at a second end opposite the first end.

1 . An electrosurgical device for use in arthroscopic procedures comprising:
 an elongate outer body;   a first plate having a plurality of passages therethrough, and   an insulator disposed abutting the elongate outer body at a first end and abutting the first plate at a second end opposite the first end, wherein when electricity is supplied to the electrosurgical device and a conductor is present at a distal end of the electrosurgical device, a closed circuit is formed and the first plate is a first electrode of the electrosurgical device and the elongate outer body is a second electrode of the electrosurgical device,   wherein a distal end of the insulator includes at least one protrusion extending distally beyond the first plate, the at least one protrusion being adjacent to the first plate.   
     
     
         2 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 1 , further including an elongate inner body having a cannulated portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end and two projections, each extending distally from the distal end of the cannulated portion, the elongate inner body disposed partially within the elongate outer body, the first plate being positioned such that each of the two projections extends through a respective passage of the plurality of passages of the first plate, the insulator being disposed around the elongate inner body. 
     
     
         3 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the distal end of the insulator includes first and second protrusions extending distally beyond the first plate, the first plate interposed between the first and second protrusions. 
     
     
         4 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 3 , wherein a second plate is disposed on the first plate, the second plate being fixed to the at least one projection. 
     
     
         5 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 3 , wherein a second plate is disposed on the first plate, the second plate extending between the two projections. 
     
     
         6 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 5 , wherein the second plate is a bar. 
     
     
         7 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of passages of the first plate are apertures and include a first aperture, a second aperture and a third aperture between the first and second apertures. 
     
     
         8 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of passages of the first plate further includes at least a fourth aperture, wherein at least a portion of the third aperture extends beyond an inner diameter of the elongated inner body and at least a portion of the fourth aperture is within the inner diameter of the elongated inner body. 
     
     
         9 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 5 , wherein the first plate is a first material and the second plate is a second material with a melting temperature and corrosion resistance lower than that of the first material. 
     
     
         10 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 9 , wherein the first material is tungsten and the second material is stainless steel. 
     
     
         11 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 5 , wherein the first plate and the second plate are steel. 
     
     
         12 . An electrosurgical device for use in arthroscopic procedures comprising:
 an elongate outer body;   an elongate inner body having a cannulated portion extending from a proximal end to a distal end and at least one projection, the projection extending distally from the distal end of the cannulated portion, the elongate inner body disposed partially within the elongate outer body;   a first plate having a plurality of passages therethrough, the first plate being positioned such that the projection extends through a respective passage of the plurality of passages of the first plate and is deformed to prevent pullout of the first plate from the elongate inner body; and   an insulator disposed around the elongate inner body, the insulator abutting the elongate outer body at a first end and abutting the first plate at a second end opposite the first end,   wherein when electricity is supplied to the elongate inner body and a conductor is present at a distal end of the electrosurgical device, a closed circuit is formed and the first plate is a first electrode of the electrosurgical device and the elongate outer body is a second electrode of the electrosurgical device,   wherein at least a distal portion of the insulator extends distally beyond the first plate such that the distal end of the electrosurgical device is defined by the insulator.   
     
     
         13 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the distal portion of the insulator includes first second protrusions extending distally beyond the first plate, the first plate interposed between the first and second protrusions. 
     
     
         14 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 12 , wherein a second plate is disposed on the first plate, the second plate being fixed to the projection. 
     
     
         15 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 12 , wherein a second plate is disposed on the first plate, the second plate extending between first and second projections of the elongate inner body. 
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 15 , wherein the second plate is a bar. 
     
     
         17 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of passages of the first plate are apertures and include a first aperture, a second aperture and a third aperture between the first and second apertures. 
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of passages of the first plate further includes at least a fourth aperture, wherein at least a portion of the third aperture extends beyond an inner diameter of the elongated inner body and at least a portion of the fourth aperture is within the inner diameter of the elongated inner body. 
     
     
         19 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 15 , wherein the first plate is a first material and the second plate is a second material with a melting temperature and corrosion resistance lower than that of the first material. 
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical device of  claim 19 , wherein the first material is tungsten and the second material is stainless steel.