METHOD AND SYSTEM OF REDUCTION OF LOW FREQUENCY MUSCLE STIMULATION DURING ELECTROSURGICAL PROCEDURES

• US 20110245826A1
• Filed: 04/06/2010
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: Woloszko, Jean, Marion, Duane W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,747,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/41
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00625 Vaporization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1213 creating an arc
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/147 Electrodes transferring energy by capacitive coupling, i.e. with a dielectricum between electrode and target tissue

Abstract

Reduction of low frequency muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: treating a target tissue with an electrosurgical wand comprising a plurality of active electrodes intermittently exposed to a rectifying electrical phenomenon; charging a first capacitance in series with a first electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon proximate the first electrode; charging a second capacitance in series with a second electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the second electrode; charging a third capacitance in series with a third electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the third electrode; and discharging, through the first electrode, the first capacitance, while simultaneously charging the second capacitance.

Claims

1. A method of reducing muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures comprising:

treating a target tissue with an electrosurgical wand comprising a plurality of active electrodes on a distal end of the electrosurgical wand, each of the plurality of active electrodes intermittently exposed to a rectifying electrical phenomenon;

charging a first capacitance in series with a first electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the first electrode;

charging a second capacitance, distinct from the first capacitance, the second capacitance in series with a second electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the second electrode;

charging a third capacitance, distinct from the first and second capacitances, the third capacitance in series with a third electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the third electrode; and

then

discharging, through the first electrode, the first capacitance, while simultaneously charging the second capacitance.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising then discharging, through the second electrode, the second capacitance, while simultaneously charging the third capacitance.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising then discharging, through the third electrode, the third capacitance, while simultaneously charging the first capacitance.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein charging the first capacitance further comprises charging the first capacitance disposed within an enclosure that encloses a voltage generator electrically coupled to the active electrodes.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein charging the first, second and third capacitances further comprises charging the first, second and third capacitances disposed within an enclosure that encloses a voltage generator electrically coupled to the active electrodes.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein charging the first capacitance further comprises charging the first capacitance disposed within at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a handle of the wand; and

an elongate shaft of the wand.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein charging the first, second and third capacitances further comprises charging the first, second and third capacitances each disposed within at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a handle of the wand; and

an elongate shaft of the wand.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein charging the first capacitance further comprises charging the first capacitance disposed within an multi-conductor cable, the multi-conductor cable couples the plurality of active electrodes of the wand to a voltage generator.

9. A system comprising:

a wand comprising;

a non-conductive outer surface;

a plurality of active electrodes disposed on a distal end of the wand;

a plurality of electrical leads, the electrical leads electrically coupled one each to a respective active electrode of the plurality of active electrodes;

a controller comprising;

a voltage generator configured to generate voltage of varying amplitude, the voltage generator has an active terminal and a return terminal; and

the active terminal coupled to each of the plurality of electrical leads;

a plurality of capacitors, the capacitors electrically coupled one each in series with a respective electrical lead of the plurality of electrical leads.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the controller further comprises:

an enclosure that encloses the voltage generator;

wherein at least one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the enclosure.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the enclosure.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the wand further comprises:

a handle and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle; and

wherein at least one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the wand.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the wand.

14. The system of claim 9 further comprising the plurality of electrical leads form a multi-conductor cable electrically coupled between the controller and the plurality of active electrodes, and wherein at least one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors disposed within the multi-conductor cable.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the multi-conductor cable.

16. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

wherein the plurality of active electrodes further comprises at least twenty active electrodes;

wherein the plurality of electrical leads further comprises at least twenty electrical leads; and

wherein the plurality of capacitors further comprises at least twenty capacitors.

17. An electrosurgical wand comprising:

an elongate shaft that defines a proximal end and a distal end, at least a portion of the exterior surface comprising non-conductive material;

a connector comprising a plurality of pins;

a first active electrode disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a first electrical lead electrically coupled to the first electrode and a first pin of the connector;

a second active electrode disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a second electrical lead electrically coupled to the second electrode and a second pin of the connector; and

a third active electrode disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a third electrical lead electrically coupled to the third electrode and a third pin of the connector;

a first capacitor electrically coupled in series between the first pin and the first active electrode;

a second capacitor electrically coupled in series between the second pin and the second active electrode; and

a third capacitor electrically coupled in series between the third pin and the third active electrode.

18. The electrosurgical wand of claim 17 further comprising at least one of the capacitors disposed between the connector and the proximal end of the elongate shaft.

19. The electrosurgical wand of claim 17 further comprising:

the first capacitor disposed between the connector and the proximal end of the elongate shaft;

the second capacitor disposed between the connector and the proximal end of the elongate shaft; and

the third capacitor disposed between the connector and the proximal end of the elongate shaft.

20. The electrosurgical wand of claim 17 further comprising at least one of the capacitors disposed within the elongate shaft.

21. The electrosurgical wand of claim 17 further comprising:

the first capacitor disposed within the elongate shaft;

the second capacitor disposed within the elongate shaft; and

the third capacitor disposed within the elongate shaft.

22. An electrosurgical controller comprising:

an enclosure that defines an outer surface;

a voltage generator disposed within the enclosure, the voltage generator configured to generate an alternating current (AC) output voltage, the voltage generator has an active terminal and a return terminal;

a first connector disposed on the outer surface, the first connector configured to couple to a connector of an electrosurgical wand, and the first connector comprising a first, second and third electrical pins;

a first capacitor electrically coupled in series between the active terminal and the first electrical pin;

a second capacitor electrically coupled in series between the active terminal and the second electrical pin; and

a third capacitor electrically coupled in series between the active terminal and the third electrical pin.

23. The electrosurgical controller of claim 22 wherein the connector is further configured to couple to the connector of an electrosurgical wand in only one orientation.

24. The electrosurgical controller of claim 22 wherein the connector comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a tab configured to mechanically couple to a slot of the connector of the electrosurgical wand; and

a slot configured to mechanically couple to a tab of the connector of the electrosurgical wand.

25. The electrosurgical controller of claim 22 further comprising:

the first connector further comprising a third through twentieth electrical pins; and

a third through twentieth capacitors coupled one each in series between the active terminal and a respective third through twentieth electrical pin.