Electrosurgical system

• US 20030163123A1
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Published: 08/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gyrus Medical Incorporated (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gyrus Medical Incorporated (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Latterell, Scott T., Wahnschaffe, Douglas S., Goble, Coliin C.O.
• Granted Patent: US 6,929,641 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00404 Blood vessels other than those in or around the heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00666 using a threshold value
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1273 including multiple generators in one device

Abstract

An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises an RF output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines, a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage, and a controller capable of varying the RF power signal supplied to the output lines. The system also includes a selection circuit having at least three output connections each in electrical connection with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This selection circuit operates to vary the coupling between the RF output stage and the three or more output connections. A switching device operable by the user causes the selection circuit to vary the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied, and also causes the RF power signal supplied to at least one of the at least three output connections to vary depending on the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied. In one arrangement of the selection circuit, one of the electrodes has no direct connection to the output stage of the generator and is connected via a capacitor to another of the electrodes.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical system including a generator for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes, the generator comprising at least one source of radio frequency (RF) power, and the system also including a selection arrangement operable to vary the coupling between the at least one RF source and the at least three electrodes, the system further including a switching device operable to cause the selection arrangement to vary the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied, the arrangement of the system being such that the RF power signal applied to at least one of the electrodes varies depending on the electrode or electrodes to which radio frequency power is supplied, and also such that one of the electrodes has no direct connection to the output stage of the generator and is connected via a capacitor to another of the electrodes.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

the source of RF power includes an RF output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines;

the generator includes a controller capable of varying the RF power signal supplied to the output lines;

the selection arrangement comprises a switching circuit having at least three output connections each in electrical connection with a respective one of the at least three electrodes, and is operable to vary the connections between the RF output lines and the output connections; and

the switching device is operable to cause the RF power signal applied to at least one of the three or more output connections to vary depending on the electrode or electrodes to which radio frequency power is supplied.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the RF output stage of the generator is coupled to an RF driver and the controller is capable of varying an RF signal applied by the driver to the RF output stage.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor has a value of between 1 and 10 nF.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the controller automatically adjusts the RF power supplied to at least one of said output connections to limit the peak generator output voltage to at least a first value when operation of the switching device causes RF power to be fed to a first combination of electrodes, and to at least a second value when operation of the switching device causes RF power to be fed to a second combination of electrodes.

6. A system according to claim 1, wherein two of the three or more electrodes are in the form of jaws adapted to grasp tissue therebetween.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the third electrode is mounted on one of the jaws, separated therefrom by an insulating member.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein the third electrode is mounted on an external face of one of the jaws.

9. A system according to claim 7, wherein the third electrode is mounted on an internal face of one of the jaws.

10. A system according to claim 7, wherein the third electrode is mounted at the tip of one of the jaws.

11. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes is in the form of a hook.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein at least one hook electrode extends distally beyond the other electrodes.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein there is a centrally positioned electrode extending distally beyond the other electrodes.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein at least three of the electrodes are in the form of a hook.

15. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes is longitudinally movable such that it can be extended and retracted with respect to the other electrodes.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the longitudinally movable electrode is positioned centrally between the other electrodes.

17. A system according to claim 1, wherein the RF source and selection arrangement are such that the output stage supplies RF power to at least three electrodes simultaneously, the output voltage being limited to a first peak value between a first combination of electrodes, and to a second peak value between a second combination of electrodes.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein, in a first mode of operation, a first one of the electrodes has no direct connection to the RF source of the generator and is connected via a capacitor to another of the electrodes, and, in a second mode of operation, a second one of the electrodes has no direct connection to the output stage of the generator and is connected via a capacitor to another of the electrodes.

19. A system according to claim 1, wherein the selection arrangement is located within the generator.

20. A system according to claim 1, wherein the selection arrangement is located within the electrosurgical instrument.

21. An electrosurgical system including a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes, two of the at least three electrodes being in the form of jaws adapted to grasp tissue therebetween, and the third electrode being mounted on one of the jaws, separated therefrom by an insulating member, the generator comprising at least one source of RF power, and the system also including a selection circuit operable to vary the coupling between the at least one RF source and the at least three electrodes,

the system further including a switching device operable to cause the selection circuit to vary the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied, the arrangement being such that the RF signal applied to at least one of the electrodes varies depending on the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied.

22. A system according to claim 21, wherein:

the RF source includes an RF output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines;

the generator includes a controller capable of varying the RF power signal supplied to the RF output lines; and

the selection circuit comprises a switching circuit having at least three output connections each in electrical connection with a respective one of the at least three electrodes, and operable to vary the connections between said RF power output lines and said output connections,

the switching device being operable to send a signal to the switching circuit in order to vary the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied, the switching device also causing the RF signal supplied to at least one of at least three output connections to vary depending on the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied.

23. A system according to claim 21, wherein the third electrode is mounted on an external face of one of the jaws.

24. A system according to claim 21, wherein the third electrode is mounted on an internal face of one of the jaws.

25. A system according to claim 21, wherein the third electrode is mounted at the tip of one of the jaws.

26. A system according to claim 21, wherein the RF source is operable to deliver RF power at different first and second radio frequencies.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the generator includes a controller coupled to the source to vary the output radio frequency of the RF source to cause it to deliver RF power at said first radio frequency or at said second radio frequency.

28. A system according to claim 27, wherein the selection circuit comprises a first output circuit coupled between the RF source and a first pair of said electrodes and tuned to said first frequency, and a second output circuit coupled between the RF source and a second pair of said electrodes, the first and second output circuits sharing common lines for receiving RF power from the RF source.

29. A system according to claim 28, wherein the controller automatically adjusts the RF power delivered by said RF source limit the peak generator output voltage to at least a first value when power is delivered at said first frequency and to a second value when power is delivered at said second frequency.

30. A system according to claim 29, wherein the controller and the RF source are operable to cause RF power to be supplied to at least three said electrodes simultaneously, the peak output voltage being limited to said first value between said first pair of electrodes and to said second value between said second pair of electrodes.

31. An electrosurgical system including a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes, the generator comprising:

(i) an RF output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines,

(ii) a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage, and

(iii) a controller capable of varying an RF signal supplied to the RF output lines,

the electrosurgical instrument including a selection circuit having at least three output connections each in electrical connection with a respective one of the at least three electrodes, and operable to vary the connections between the RF output lines and the said output connections,

the system further including a switching device operable to cause the selection circuit to vary the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied, the switching device also causing the RF signal supplied to at least one of at least three output connections to vary depending on the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied.

32. A system according to claim 31, wherein the selection circuit comprises a switching circuit, switching device being operable to send a signal to the switching circuit in order to vary the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied.

33. A system according to claim 31, wherein two of the three or more electrodes are in the form of jaws adapted to grasp tissue therebetween.

34. A system according to claim 33, wherein the third electrode is mounted on one of the jaws, separated therefrom by an insulating member.

35. A system according to claim 34, wherein the third electrode is mounted on an external face of one of the jaws.

36. A system according to claim 34, wherein the third electrode is mounted on an internal face of one of the jaws.

37. A system according to claim 34, wherein the third electrode is mounted at the tip of one of the jaws.

38. A system according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the electrodes is in the form of a hook.

39. A system according to claim 38, wherein at least one hook electrode extends distally beyond the other electrodes.

40. A system according to claim 39, wherein there is a centrally positioned electrode extending distally beyond the other electrodes.

41. A system according to claim 38, wherein at least three of the electrodes are in the form of a hook.

42. A system according to claim 31, wherein at least one of the electrodes is longitudinally movable such that it can be extended and retracted with respect to the other electrodes.

43. A system according to claim 42, wherein the longitudinally movable electrode is positioned centrally between the other electrodes.

44. A system according to claim 31, wherein the RF source and selection arrangement are such that the output stage supplies RF power to at least three electrodes simultaneously, the output voltage being limited to a first peak value between a first combination of electrodes, and to a second peak value between a second combination of electrodes.

45. A system according to claim 31, wherein the RF source is operable to deliver RF power at different first and second radio frequencies.

46. A system according to claim 45, wherein the generator includes a controller coupled to the source to vary the output radio frequency of the RF source to cause it to deliver RF power at said first radio frequency or at said second radio frequency.

47. A system according to claim 46, wherein the selection circuit comprises a first output circuit coupled between the RF source and a first pair of said electrodes and tuned to said first frequency, and a second output circuit coupled between the RF source and a second pair of said electrodes, the first and second output circuits sharing common lines for receiving RF power from the RF source.

48. A system according to claim 47, wherein the controller automatically adjusts the RF power delivered by said RF source limit the peak generator output voltage to at least a first value when power is delivered at said first frequency and to a second value when power is delivered at said second frequency.

49. A system according to claim 48, wherein the controller and the RF source are operable to cause RF power to be supplied to at least three said electrodes simultaneously, the peak output voltage being limited to said first value between said first pair of electrodes and to said second value between said second pair of electrodes.

50. An electrosurgical system including a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes, wherein the generator comprises an RF source having at least a pair of RF output lines, the RF source being operable to deliver RF power to said output lines at at least different first and second radio frequencies, wherein the system further includes a coupling stage for coupling RF power on said RF output lines to the electrodes, the coupling stage comprising:

a first output circuit connected to a first pair of said electrodes and tuned to said first frequency, and

a second output circuit connected to a second pair of said electrodes and tuned to said second frequency,

and wherein the system includes means for varying the output frequency of said RF source to deliver RF power to the first and second output circuits at said first frequency or at said second frequency.

51. A system according to claim 50, wherein said pair of RF output lines are connected to the first tuned output circuit and the second tuned output circuit

52. A system according to claim 50, wherein the RF source comprises first and second RF oscillators adapted to operate at the first and second radio frequencies respectively, and wherein the output frequency varying means comprises switching means for switching between the first and second RF oscillator.

53. A system according to claim 50, wherein the generator includes a controller coupled to the RF source automatically to adjust the RF power delivered by the RF source to electrodes to limit the peak generator output voltage to at least a first value when power is delivered at said first frequency and to a second value when power is delivered at said second frequency.

54. A system according to claim 53, wherein the controller and the RF source are operable to cause RF power to be supplied to at least three said electrodes simultaneously, the peak output voltage being limited to said first value between said first pair of electrodes and to said second value between said second pair of electrodes.