Gyrus Medical Limited

Plasmogen Inc.

G2 Design Limited

Other

Rhytec Limited

Cyrus Medical Limited

Nigel Mark Goble

Colin Charles Goble

Colin Charles Owen Goble

Colin C O Goble

Francis Amoah

Keith Penny

Alan N Syrop

Colin Co Goble

Scott T Latterell

Douglas S Wahnschaffe

Scott R Sanders

A cosmetic method of regenerating the skin in the region of a stretch mark is disclosed. The method comprises operating a source of thermal energy with a low thermal time constant, and directing it at the surface of the skin adjacent to and within a stretch mark forming first and second adjacent regions of thermally-modified tissue. The first region is adjacent to, and overlies, the second region, and the first region is thermally modified to a greater extend than the second region such that, following treatment, the width of the stretch mark is reduced and the reticular architecture of the dermis in the stretch mark is at least partially restored.

Method of remodelling stretch marks

A tissue treatment system has a radio frequency generator and a handheld treatment instrument that generates a gas plasma jet for delivering thermal energy to a tissue surface to be treated. Incorporated in the housing for the generator is a calibration device for adjusting the energy output of the generator, if necessary, at the beginning of a treatment session. The calibration device has a target element with a target surface, a transducer for sensing changes in temperature of the target element with respect to the temperature of a reference element, and an energy output adjuster for adjusting the radio frequency energy output of the generator in response to a calibration signal generated by the transducer. The generator housing has a receptacle for locating the nozzle of the handheld instrument in juxtaposition with the target element so that when a plasma burst is generated as part of a calibration sequence it is incident on the target surface. The generator output is automatically adjusted to compensate for any deviation of a calibration value, produced from the calibration signal, from a reference value. Also disclosed is a method of regenerating the reticular architecture of tissue, the method including calibrating the energy delivery of a tissue treatment system.

Tissue treatment system

In an electrosurgical generator for generating radio frequency power, the generator comprises a radio frequency output stage having three or more output connections, one or more sources of output power coupled to the output stage, and a controller operable to cause the generator to supply a first cutting RF waveform to the output connections or a second coagulating RF waveform to the output connections. In a combined mode, the controller causes the generator to deliver both first and second RF waveforms, the controller including means for feeding the waveforms to the output connections such that the first RF waveform is delivered between a first pair of the output connections, and the second RF waveform is delivered between a second pair of the output connections. The combined mode is adjustable between various settings, each setting having a different proportion of the first and second RF waveforms. In response to a operator-actuated input signal, the controller causes the generator to supply an output waveform starting at a predetermined start setting, ending at a predetermined end setting, and changing between the start and end settings according to a predetermined progression.

Electrosurgical generator and system

A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Tissue resurfacing

A system and method are disclosed for removing a uterus using a fluid enclosure inserted in the peritoneal cavity of a patient so as to enclose the uterus. The fluid enclosure includes a distal open end surrounded by an adjustable loop, that can be tightened, a first proximal opening for inserting an electrosurgical instrument into the fluid enclosure, and a second proximal opening for inserting an endoscope. The loop is either a resilient band extending around the edge of the distal open end or a drawstring type of arrangement that can be tightened and released. The fluid enclosure is partially inserted into the peritoneal cavity of a patient in a deflated condition and then manipulated within the peritoneal cavity over the body and fundus of the uterus to the level of the uterocervical junction. The loop is tightened around the uterocervical junction, after which the enclosure is inflated using a conductive fluid. The loop forms a pressure seal against the uterocervical junction to contain the conductive fluid used to fill the fluid enclosure. Endoscopically inserted into the fluid enclosure is an electrosurgical instrument that is manipulated to vaporize and morcellate the fundus and body of the uterus. The fundus and body tissue that is vaporized and morcellated is then removed from the fluid enclosure through the shaft of the instrument, which includes a hollow interior that is connected to a suction pump The fundus and body are removed after the uterus has been disconnected from the tissue surrounding uterus.

Electrosurgical instrument

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprises a handle (), a body () joined to the handle, and a jaw assembly () joined to the body and arranged such that manipulation of the handle allows the opposed jaws of the jaw assembly to be opened and closed with respect to one another. A first of said opposed jaws () has at least a first coagulating electrode, and the other of said opposed jaws () has at least a second coagulating electrode and a cutting electrode () separated from the second coagulating electrode by an insulating member (). The instrument is manipulated at the surgical site such that the jaws of the jaw assembly () are open with respect to one another, with the cutting electrode () and at least one of the first and second coagulating electrodes contacting tissue at the surgical site. A radio frequency electrosurgical signal is supplied between the cutting electrode and the at least one coagulating electrode, and the electrosurgical instrument is moved while maintaining the jaws () in their open position so as to cut tissue at the surgical site.

Surgical instrument

A method is disclosed for treating benign conditions, such as enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids located in a patient's throat or nasopharynx, or soft tissue lesions located in a patient's oropharynx or larynx. According to the method, a space containing the patient's nasopharynx, oropharynx or pharynx and larynx is isolated from the patient's trachea and lungs using an inflatable cuff tracheostomy tube or nasotracheal tube inserted in the patient's trachea. The cuff is inflated to occlude the trachea. The patient is placed in a supine position, whereupon at least a portion of the space containing the nasopharynx and/or oropharynx and larynx is filled with saline. An endoscope is then inserted into the space to view the operative site in which the tonsils or tissue lesion are to be treated. An electrosurgical instrument having an active tissue treatment electrode and a return electrode connected to an electrosurgical generator is then inserted into the space, either along side the endoscope or through the endoscope's working channel. The generator is then operated to apply a radio frequency voltage between the active and return electrodes of the electrosurgical instrument, whereby a conduction path is formed between the active and return electrodes, at least partially through the saline, whereupon the active electrode is manipulated to debulk or otherwise treat the soft tissue lesion or enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids.

Electrosurgical system and method

An electrosurgical system comprises a radio frequency generator (), an electrosurgical instrument (E), and a fluid enclosure (). The generator () has a radio frequency output for delivery of power to the electrosurgical instrument (E) when immersed in an electrically-conductive fluid. The electrosurgical instrument (E) has an electrode assembly () at the distal end thereof, the electrode assembly comprising a tissue treatment electrode (), and a return electrode () axially spaced therefrom in such a manner as to define, in use, a conductive fluid path that completes an electrical circuit between the tissue treatment electrode and the return electrode. The fluid enclosure () is adapted to surround an operation site on the skin of a patient or an incision leading to a cavity surgically created within the patient's body. The fluid enclosure () includes sealing means () for sealing against the patient's tissue, and the fluid enclosure includes at least one port () through which the electrosurgical (E) is insertable, and through which the electrically-conductive fluid can enter and/or leave the enclosure. The fluid enclosure device of the present invention can also be used to treat tumours within the colon. The enclosure, which includes a proximal and a distal bung, is inserted into the colon in a deflated condition and then inflated with a conductive fluid or gas. The colon can be supported against the pressure of the fluid or gas with a pressure sleeve that has been inserted to surround the region of the colon being treated. An electrosurgical instrument is then inserted into the colon and manipulated to vaporize the tumor.

An electrosurgical instrument, which is used for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium, comprises an instrument shaft ( ), and an electrode assembly ( ) at one end of the shaft. The electrode assembly ( ) comprises a tissue treatment electrode ( ) and a return electrode ( ) which is electrically insulated from the tissue treatment electrode by means of an insulation member ( ). The tissue treatment electrode ( ) is exposed at the distal end portion of the instrument ( ), and the return electrode ( ) has a fluid contact surface spaced proximally from the exposed end of the tissue treatment electrode by the insulation member ( ). The exposed end of the tissue treatment electrode ( ) is constituted by a plurality of tissue treatment filamentary members made of an electrically-conductive material, the filamentary members being electrically connected to a common electrical supply conductor.

In an electrosurgical system which is operable within the frequency range of from 100kHz to 50MHz and which has a handheld instrument with an elongate instrument shaft, the distal end of the shaft carries a bipolar electrode assembly for use in a conductive fluid field. The electrode assembly has an active electrode and, set back from the active electrode, a return electrode coated with an insulative dielectric layer. The insulative layer may be made of a plastics or a ceramic material and acts as the dielectric of a capacitor when the electrode assembly is immersed in the conductive fluid. One of the effects of the insulative layer is to provide a more uniformly distributed electric field over the return electrode than is obtained with an exposed return electrode, yielding improved tissue desiccation and vaporisation characteristics. The active electrode may have a similar dielectric covering.

Electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgery system including such an instrument

Tissue treatment method

An electrosurgery system includes an electrosurgical generator ( ) coupled to or part of an electrosurgical instrument, the generator being operable to generate electrosurgical power in low frequency (typically at 1 MHz) and high frequency bands (typically at 2.45 GHz) either simultaneously or individually the generator includes a load-responsive control circuit which, in one mode, causes power to be generated predominantly at 1 MHz when the load impedance is high and predominantly at 2.45 MHz when it is low. This allows automatic switching between cutting and coagulation operation. In one embodiment, the instrument includes a gas plasma generator operating such that an ionizable gas is energized in a gas supply passage by the 2.45 GHz component to form a plasma stream which acts as a conductor for delivering the 1 MHz component to a tissue treatment outlet of the passage. (FIG. ).

Electrosurgery system

An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium. The instrument comprises an instrument shaft ( ), a tissue treatment electrode ( ) at one end of the shaft, and removal means, the instrument having an apertured portion ( ) through which matter can be aspirated by the removal means from the region surrounding the tissue treatment electrode. The removal means comprises a channel formed within the instrument shaft ( ) and leading from the apertured portion ( ). The channel is provided with agitation means ( ) for preventing the build-up of sublimation products within the channel.

An electrosurgical instrument is provided for the treatment of tissue in the presence of an electrically-conductive fluid medium. The instrument comprises an instrument shaft ( ), and a tissue treatment electrode ( ) at the distal end of the shaft for electrosurgically excising tissue pieces at an operation site. The tissue treatment electrode ( ) is cyclically movable relative to the distal end of the shaft ( ). Threshold control means are provided for controlling the power threshold for vaporisation of the electrically-conductive fluid medium at the tissue treatment electrode ( ).

A surgical technique for treating bladder outflow obstruction is disclosed in which access is gained to the treatment site via the bladder itself through one or more suprapubic conduits. The disclosed technique includes inserting at least a first conduit suprapubically into the bladder, inserting at least a surgical instrument along the first conduit, distending the bladder with an isotonic fluid, viewing the position of the instrument using remote visualisation means, direct visualisation means, or a combination of the two, and using the surgical instrument to create at least one hole in the prostate gland, thereby to debulk the adenoma. Preferably the procedure is performed using electrosurgery, which offers significant advantages in terms of minimally invasive surgery and patient recovery times in comparison to more conventional forms of surgery.

Growing community of inventors

Hungerford, United Kingdom

Nigel Mark Goble