Plasma enhanced bipolar electrosurgical system

Abstract

A surgical system has a multiple electrode electrosurgical capability in combination with a gas plasma capability for delivery of electrosurgical energy to the tissue or bodily fluids of a patient. The system includes a holder, a source of electrical energy, electrodes connected to the source of electrical energy, one or more passages carried on the holder for transporting ionizable gas, and a source of ionizable gas of a selectable flow rate. The gas passages may include at least one electrode extending toward the operative site. The gas passages may include a part that creates a vortex in the gas flow. The electrodes may be coaxially placed in the gas passages. The system may also be configured such that two electrodes are each shrouded by the ionized gas so that the electrosurgical energy is conducted to the tissue or bodily fluids of the operative site by passing along conductive pathways in the ionized gas from each electrode. There may also be a dielectric barrier between the conductive pathways. The system may also be configured such that one of the multiple electrodes is substantially in contact with the tissue or bodily fluids of the operative site and another of the multiple electrodes is in the circuit through the conductive pathway of the ionized gas flow so that electrosurgical energy is conducted through the tissue or bodily fluids of the operative site and between the electrodes. Methods of manufacture and use for the system are also claimed.