ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES WITH A SINGLE CONDUCTIVE TUBULAR ELEMENT FOR ACCESSING ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES

Abstract

A method of gaining access into an anatomical structure includes delivering an electrosurgical device to a treatment site in a patient, where the electrosurgical device includes an elongate tubular member and a conductive tubular element disposed around the elongate tubular member. The method includes electrically activating the conductive tubular element and creating an incision in the anatomical structure by initially cutting the anatomical structure with the electrically activated conductive tubular element while leaving the elongate tubular member outside of the anatomical structure. The incision is sized to allow a drainage device having an outer diameter that is greater than five French (one and two-thirds millimeters) and less than ten French (three and one-third millimeters) to be inserted into and securely maintained within the anatomical structure.

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