Laser-assisted electrosurgery system

Abstract

A laser and electrosurgical system has a handpiece with a proximal and distal end from which laser radiation and/or electrosurgical energy is selectively or concurrently directed. The ends are along an axis; an electrode extends distally along the axis. Sources of laser and electrosurgical energy are available and controlled. An initiation circuit for the laser selectively delivers it before electrosurgery. Prior delivery targets tissue. The laser creates an ionized conductive pathway for electrosurgery. The combined concurrent application of laser and electrosurgery has a mechanism to selectively distribute energy about the axis. A laser deflecting surface or a beam deflector vibrate relative to the axis. A power switch has levels for laser cut and ionization and/or a delay therebetween for electrosurgical coagulation. A wave guide or an array thereof deliver radiation along the axis. A method has steps of directing selectively and concurrently laser and electrosurgery by aiming the axis, controlling laser and electrosurgical energy, delivering laser before electrosurgery, forming an ionized conductive pathway for the electrosurgery, distributing the laser about the axis in a predetermined pattern by deflecting the laser in a predetermined pattern generally along but slightly displaced from the axis to direct electrosurgical energy in a predefined pattern on the patient's target tissue. In another possible approach, there are additional steps of delivering the laser radiation as a beam and varying an ionized conductive pathway by refracting or diffracting the laser radiation beam with the mechanism having a beam pattern deflector.