Importance

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Abstract

A flexible tube having first and second ends and a hollow interior is insertable through an endoscopic instrument channel with the first end extending out of the viewing end of the endoscope and the second end extending out of the working end of the endoscope a sufficient distance to lie within the field of view of the endoscope observation port. The second end of the flexible tube defines a tube end face. A flexible electrical conductor having an outer surface sized to fit within the interior of the flexible tube and to define a gap between the conductor outer surface and the interior surface of the tube includes first and second ends. The first end of the conductor extends out of the endoscope viewing end while the second end is located within a recessed chamber extending between the tube end face and a spaced apart location within the interior of the tube to define a high impedance gap between the second end of the conductor and a nearby region including the tube end face and an adjacent tissue. A monopolar RF generator is coupled to the first end of the electrical conductor for periodically transmitting a defined RF output signal along the conductor to cause current to jump across the high impedance gap to thereby generate a high temperature zone in proximity to the gap. Appropriate manipulation of the endoscope working end to position the tube end face in proximity to the tissue achieves controlled heating and vaporization of the tissue.

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First Claim