Self-guiding electrode and cutting tip for tissue resection

Abstract

A self-guiding electrode and cutting tip for use in electrical tissue resection. Self-guiding forces are those applied substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of an electrode, or rotationally about the longitudinal axis. Forces sufficient to compensate in part for errors in cutting tip placement are produced by tissue pressure acting on tissue skids and keels. Tissue skids are intended to slide along tissue surfaces, maintaining structures to which they are coupled at a substantially fixed spacing from the surface. Tissue keels are intended to slide between tissue planes, whether they are naturally occurring or a result of a surgical incision. Lateral deviations from a straight incision made in a plane substantially perpendicular to a tissue surface tend to be resisted by forces on a tissue keel affixed in a leading or following relationship with respect to a cutting loop. Deviations in depth tend to be reduced by maintaining substantially uniform tissue pressure on a tissue skid sliding on the surface. Rotational self-alignment and otherwise enhanced self-guiding characteristics may be achieved through employment of tissue skids and/or tissue keels in conjunction with one or more spring-centered joints placed in series with electrode conductors.