Arc Generation in a Fluid Medium
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical generator, comprising:
- a radio frequency output stage configured to generate at least one radio frequency waveform to an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument when the active electrode is disposed in a fluid medium;
a sensor circuit configured to measure tissue impedance; and
a controller configured to increase power of the at least one radio frequency waveform to a predetermined electrical arcing level in response to the tissue impedance being within an open circuit impedance range and tissue contact impedance range, the controller being further configured to lower the power of the at least one radio frequency waveform to a lower level when the tissue impedance is outside the open circuit impedance range and the tissue contact impedance range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes a radio frequency output stage configured to generate a frequency waveform to an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument when the active electrode is disposed in a fluid medium. The generator also includes a sensor circuit configured to measure tissue impedance and a controller configured to increase power of the radio frequency waveform to a predetermined electrical arcing level in response to the tissue impedance being within an open circuit impedance range and tissue contact impedance range. The controller is further configured to lower the power of the radio frequency waveform to a lower level when the tissue impedance is outside the open circuit impedance range and the tissue contact impedance range.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical generator, comprising:
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a radio frequency output stage configured to generate at least one radio frequency waveform to an active electrode of an electrosurgical instrument when the active electrode is disposed in a fluid medium; a sensor circuit configured to measure tissue impedance; and a controller configured to increase power of the at least one radio frequency waveform to a predetermined electrical arcing level in response to the tissue impedance being within an open circuit impedance range and tissue contact impedance range, the controller being further configured to lower the power of the at least one radio frequency waveform to a lower level when the tissue impedance is outside the open circuit impedance range and the tissue contact impedance range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for operating an electrosurgical generator, comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrosurgical instrument having at least one electrode; submerging the at least one active electrode into a fluid medium generating at least one radio frequency waveform to the at least one active electrode of the electrosurgical instrument; measuring tissue impedance; increasing power of the at least one radio frequency waveform to a predetermined electrical arcing level in response to the tissue impedance being within an open circuit impedance range and tissue contact impedance range to commence electrical arcing; and lowering the power of the at least one radio frequency waveform to a lower level to maintain arcing after initialization of the electrical arc. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 16)
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12. An electrosurgical system comprising:
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an electrosurgical generator comprising; a radio frequency output stage configured to generate at least one radio frequency waveform; a sensor circuit configured to measure tissue impedance; and a controller configured to increase power of the at least one radio frequency waveform to a predetermined electrical arcing level in response to the tissue impedance being within an open circuit impedance range and tissue contact impedance range, the controller being further configured to lower the power of the at least one radio frequency waveform to a lower level when the tissue impedance is outside the open circuit impedance range and the tissue contact impedance range; and an electrosurgical instrument coupled to the radio frequency output stage, the electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode being disposed in a fluid medium and adapted to apply the at least one radio frequency therein, the electrosurgical instrument further including an identifying element disposed on the electrosurgical instrument, the identifying element identifying the electrosurgical instrument to the generator such that the generator automatically programs preset electrosurgical parameters associated with the predetermined electrical arcing level, open circuit impedance range, tissue contact impedance range, and the lower level. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification