Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Sanjay S. Badge
  • Patent number: 6632193
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removal (ablation) or modification of soft tissue with high frequency voltage through a capacitive charge process. Specifically, one of the conductors of a capacitor device maybe positioned adjacent to, or in the region of, a body structure. The other conductor is spaced, and electrically insulated from, the first conductor. A high frequency voltage is applied across the conductors to create a potential difference that results in a charge on the conductors and creates an electric field therebetween. High frequency alternating current flows between the conductors to a degree dependent on the capacitance and the current frequency. The charge on the first conductor is sufficient to modify the adjacent tissue. In some variations the charge is sufficient to heat the tissue for tissue coagulation or tissue shrinkage (i.e., collagen contraction). In other variations, the charge is sufficient to ablate or volumetrically remove the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventors: Paul O. Davison, Jean Woloszko, Hira V. Thapliyal, Philip E. Eggers