Abstract: An electrosurgical method and apparatus comprises a probe, at least one temperature sensor, and a controller for generating and controlling electromagnetic energy supplied to the probe. The controller receives signals from the temperature sensor and controls the supply of electromagnetic energy such that the temperature of the probe is ramped up and then maintained at a steady state temperature of between 100° C. and 115° C. In an equilibration phase, between the ramping up and the steady state temperature, the controller holds the temperature of the probe substantially constant for a period of time to allow the temperature of different parts of the probe to equilibrate.

Abstract: A tissue resurfacing system has a handheld surgical instrument with a gas conduit (38) which terminates in an exit nozzle (180N). Inside the conduit is an inner electrode (54). A tubular coaxial outer electrode (70) constitutes part of the wall of the conduit. Coupled to the instrument is a radio frequency power generator which delivers high level radio frequency energy in single-shot or repeated bursts to the electrodes (54, 70) while gas is flowing through the conduit (38) so as to create a gas plasma between the electrodes which then emerges from the nozzle (180N) for tissue treatment. A resonant focussing element (480) may be located in the conduit (38) between the electrodes (54, 70) to aid plasma striking. The combination of high peak power (e.g. greater than 750 W) and short treatment pulses (e.g. less than 30 ms) allows rapid surface treatment without significant thermal effects at unwanted depths.

Abstract: A method for skin treatment comprises the steps of delivering at least one pulse of radio frequency power to at least one electrode in order to create an electric field; passing gas through the electric field in order to form plasma from the gas; and applying the plasma to the surface of skin. The amount of radio frequency power may be relatively low such that the application of plasma causes denaturation of collagen within the collagen-containing tissue beneath the skin surface, which may promote the generation of new collagen within the collagen-containing tissue.

Abstract: An electrosurgery system for electrosurgically cutting or vaporising living tissue includes an electrosurgical generator having a pair of output terminals coupled to an electrosurgical instrument containing an electrode assembly. The electrode asssembly has at least one treatment electrode and an adjacent return electrode. The generator and the assembly are arranged to deliver to the treatment and return electrodes radio frequency (r.f.) energy individually or simultaneously at at least two frequencies, one of which is below 100 MHz and the other of which is above 300 MHz. The generator includes a load-responsive control circuit which, in one mode, causes power to be generated predominantly at the lower frequency when the load impedance is high and predominantly at the upper frequency when it is low. This allows automatic switching between cutting and coagulation operation. In another embodiment the r.f.

Abstract: A tissue resurfacing system has a handheld surgical instrument with a gas conduit (38) which terminates in an exit nozzle (180N). Inside the conduit is an inner electrode (54). A tubular coaxial outer electrode (70) constitutes part of the wall of the conduit. Coupled to the instrument is a radio frequency power generator which delivers high level radio frequency energy in single-shot or repeated bursts to the electrodes (54,70) while gas is flowing through the conduit (38) so as to create a gas plasma between the electrodes which then emerges from the nozzle (180N) for tissue treatment. A resonant focussing element (480) may be located in the conduit (38) between the electrodes (54,70) to aid plasma striking. The combination of high peak power (e.g. greater than 750 W) and short treatment pulses (e.g. less than 30 ms) allows rapid surface treatment without significant thermal effects at unwanted depths.