IMPEDANCE RESPONSIVE ABLATION RF DRIVING FOR MODERATING RETURN ELECTRODE TEMPERATURE
First Claim
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1. A method for ablating a tissue mass associated with a human or animal patient being treated, comprising:
- (a) positioning an ablating electrode in a tissue mass to be ablated;
(b) positioning a plurality of return electrodes on the patient;
(c) applying electrical energy to said return electrodes and said ablating electrode;
(d) measuring the skin to electrode coupling impedance of said return electrodes to generate an impedance measurement signal; and
(e) varying the electrical energy applied between said return electrodes and said ablating electrode in response to the impedance measurement signal.
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Abstract
The inventive method for ablating a tissue mass associated with a human or animal patient being treated comprises positioning an ablating electrode in a tissue mass to be ablated. A plurality of return electrodes are positioned on the patient. Electrical energy is applied between the return electrodes and the ablating electrode. The temperature of the return electrodes is measured to generate a temperature measurement signal which is used to control ablation current through the return electrodes.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for ablating a tissue mass associated with a human or animal patient being treated, comprising:
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(a) positioning an ablating electrode in a tissue mass to be ablated; (b) positioning a plurality of return electrodes on the patient; (c) applying electrical energy to said return electrodes and said ablating electrode; (d) measuring the skin to electrode coupling impedance of said return electrodes to generate an impedance measurement signal; and (e) varying the electrical energy applied between said return electrodes and said ablating electrode in response to the impedance measurement signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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- 19. A method as in claim 19, wherein said varying of ablation current to said return electrodes in response to temperature comprises apportionment of current between said return electrodes, said apportionment being made by sending more electrical energy to electrodes which are less likely to become overheated.
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