Polyphase Electrosurgical System and Method
First Claim
1. A method of delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising:
- providing an electrosurgical instrument having at least three electrodes;
coupling the electrosurgical instrument to a radiofrequency generator;
applying the electrodes to tissue; and
providing at least three alternating-current electrosurgical signals to the electrodes, respectively, wherein the difference in phase between the alternating-current electrosurgical signals is about 120 degrees.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A polyphase electrosurgical system and method are provided. In embodiments, a radiofrequency generator having the capability of delivering a plurality of independent electrosurgical signals is disclosed. An electrosurgical instrument having an array of electrodes that correspond to the plurality of signals may be used to deliver the electrosurgical signals to tissue. In embodiments, three RF signals having a phase offset of about 120° therebetween, i.e., a three-phase configuration, may be used to achieve a balanced delivery of electrosurgical energy, which may lead to increased rates of energy delivery, improved control of tissue ablation regions, and improved operative outcomes. The phase, amplitude, and/or frequency of each signal may be independently variable in response to user inputs and/or biological parameters such as tissue impedance or return electrode current.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising:
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providing an electrosurgical instrument having at least three electrodes; coupling the electrosurgical instrument to a radiofrequency generator; applying the electrodes to tissue; and providing at least three alternating-current electrosurgical signals to the electrodes, respectively, wherein the difference in phase between the alternating-current electrosurgical signals is about 120 degrees. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of ablating tissue, comprising:
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providing an electrosurgical instrument having at least three electrodes; coupling the electrosurgical instrument to a radiofrequency generator; applying the electrodes to tissue; and providing at least three alternating-current electrosurgical signals to the electrodes, respectively, wherein the difference in phase between the alternating-current electrosurgical signals is variable from about 1 degrees to about 120 degrees. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A polyphase electrosurgical system, comprising:
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a controller module; a generator module operably coupled to the controller module, the generator module configured to generate a plurality of radiofrequency signals having a phase offset therebetween and to provide the plurality of radiofrequency signals to respective outputs; an electrosurgical instrument having a plurality of electrodes disposed in spaced relation, the electrodes operably coupled to the respective outputs of the generator module corresponding to the plurality of radiofrequency signals; and an actuator operably coupled to the controller for activating the generator module. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising:
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providing an electrosurgical instrument having at least three electrodes, wherein at least two of the electrodes are active electrodes and at least one of the electrodes is a return electrode; coupling the electrosurgical instrument to a radiofrequency generator; applying the electrodes to tissue; establishing a target return current; providing a plurality of alternating-current electrosurgical signals to the active electrodes, respectively, wherein a property of the signals is variable; sensing the current in the return electrode; and varying the property of the signals to more closely conform the sensed current to the target return current. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification