Measurement and control systems and methods for electrosurgical procedures

• US 20090018536A1
• Filed: 07/11/2007
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Behnke, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,861,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00773 Sensed parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00779 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00869 Phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1823 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/96 using barcodes

Abstract

An energy delivery system for use in performing a medical procedure is provided. The medical procedure can employ an energy source, the energy source can be connected to an energy delivering device via a transmission line. The energy delivery system can include a measurement system, the measurement system can be configured to sample an output signal generated by the energy source. The energy delivery system includes a control system, which includes a calibration unit. The calibration unit can be configured to generate a calibration signal. The calibration signal can have a magnitude and phase, wherein the magnitude and phase is representative of the output signal and the transmission line loss information. The energy delivery system can also include a control unit, the control unit being configured to receive the calibration signal and adjust the energy source as needed.

Claims

1. A measurement and control system for use in performing a medical procedure, employing an energy source comprising:

a measurement system, configured to sample an output signal generated by the energy source, the sampled output signal having a magnitude and phase;

a control system including;

a calibration unit configured to receive and store loss information for the transmission line, the calibration unit further configured to generate a calibration signal having a magnitude and phase that are representative of the sampled output signal of the measurement system and of the loss information for the transmission line; and

a control unit configured to receive the calibration signal and adjust the energy source in response to a value of the calibration signal.

2. The measurement and control system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission line is a coaxial cable.

3. The measurement and control system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement system includes a directional coupler.

4. The measurement and control system according to claim 3, wherein the directional coupler is configured to sample an output signal generated by the energy source.

5. The measurement and control system according to claim 1, wherein the loss information of the transmission line is stored on a readable medium.

6. The measurement and control system according to claim 5, wherein the readable medium is one of a bar code and a memory chip.

7. The measurement and control system according to claim 1, wherein the loss information for the transmission line is obtained via a calibration port on the energy source.

8. The measurement and control system according to claim 7, wherein the loss information for the transmission line is obtained via a scanner.

9. The measurement and control system according to claim 8, wherein the scanner is handheld.

10. A method for measuring and controlling energy delivered to a patient from an energy source during a medical procedure, wherein the energy source is connected to an energy delivering device via a transmission line, the method comprising the steps:

determining losses associated with the transmission line and storing the loses in a calibration unit;

generating an output signal from the energy source;

sampling the output signal;

measuring the sampled output;

generating a calibration signal from the value of the loss information of the transmission line and the measured sampled output signal; and

adjusting the output signal in response to the calibration signal.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of sampling the output signal is performed by a directional coupler.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of determining losses associated with the transmission line is performed by a network analyzer, wherein the loss information is placed on the transmission line.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of determining losses associated with the transmission line is performed by a calibration port associated with the energy source.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of determining losses associated with the transmission line is performed by a handheld device configured to perform a calibration test on the transmission line in real time.

15. A measurement and control system for use in performing a medical procedure, employing an energy source, the measurement and control system comprising:

a measurement system, including a directional coupler configured to sample an output signal generated by the energy source, the sampled output signal having a magnitude and phase;

a control system operatively connected to the measurement system and including;

a calibration unit configured to receive and store loss information for the transmission line, the calibration unit further configured to generate a calibration signal having a magnitude and phase that are representative of the sampled output signal of the measurement system and of the loss information for the transmission line; and

a control unit configured to receive the calibration signal and adjust the energy source in response to a value of the calibration signal.

16. The measurement and control system according to claim 15, wherein the transmission line is a coaxial cable.

17. The measurement and control system according to claim 15, wherein the loss information of the transmission line is stored on a readable medium.

18. The measurement and control system according to claim 17, wherein the readable medium is one of a bar code and a memory chip.

19. The measurement and control system according to claim 15, wherein the loss information for the transmission line is obtained via a calibration port on the energy source.

20. The measurement and control system according to claim 15, wherein the loss information for the transmission line is obtained via a scanner.

21. The measurement and control system according to claim 20, wherein the scanner is handheld.