Surgical gas plasma ignition apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method for igniting plasma in a surgical system is disclosed. A corona discharge is generated on a surgical handpiece which is used to ignite a plasma arc for surgical operations. The advantages include greater reliability and repeatability of plasma arc ignition. The apparatus comprises a handpiece incorporating an active electrode, a passage for ionizable gas, and a corona return electrode. The corona return electrode has a terminus on the holder and near the distal end of the holder. The corona return electrode is electrically connected to the return path of the electrosurgical generator. A non-uniform electric field is generated between the active electrode and the corona return electrode of sufficient strength so that a corona is formed near the active electrode. A separate return electrode may be on the patient, or the apparatus may be configured for bipolar electrosurgical operation by carrying the return electrode on the handpiece. A dielectric material separates the active electrode and the corona return electrode. There is substantially capacitive coupling between the active electrode and the corona return electrode. There is substantially resistive coupling between the active electrode and the return electrode.