HIGH FREQUENCY ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS

• US 3,601,126 A
• Filed: 01/08/1969
• Issued: 08/24/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jerry R. Estes
• Original Assignee: Jerry R. Estes
• Inventors: Estes, Jerry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trapp, L. W.
• Application Number:
  US04/789,716
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303.1-303.14,303.17,417
• US Class Current: 606/35
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/12 wherein the variable actually regulated by the final control device is ac G05F1/625 takes precedence

Abstract

Electrosurgical apparatus including electrodes powered by high frequency electric current, wherein the amplitude of the current flowing through the circuit is monitored and compared with a reference amplitude so that the current source can be regulated to transmit power of a desired amplitude. Further, the waveform of the current can be selectively switched from a sinusoidal waveform to a pulsed waveform. Also, there is provided an indifferent or return electrode whose conductivity controls the operation of the power source.

Claims

1. High frequency electrosurgical apparatus for operating on electrically conductive tissue comprising first and second electrodes, each of said electrodes being adapted for electrically contacting tissue whereby an electric current path is established between said electrodes via said tissue, means for generating a high frequency electric current having a controllably varying amplitude, means for connecting said generating means to said electrodes, reference means for establishing a desired amplitude for the current passing through the tissue, sensing means for sensing the amplitude of the actual current passing through the tissue, and control means responsive to said reference means and said sensing means for controlling said generating means to generate a high frequency electric current having an amplitude substantially equal to said desired amplitude.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said generating means includes means for selectively operating said generating means to operate in a first mode to generate a continuous alternating current, or in a second mode to generate time-spaced packets of alternating current.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said reference means comprises means for establishing a first desired amplitude for electric current related to said continuous alternating current generated by said generating means and a second desired amplitude for electric current related to said time-spaced packets of alternating current generated by said generating means, and further comprising selection means for simultaneously controlling the mode of operation of said generating means and controlling which desired amplitude of electric current is received by said control means for controlling said generating means.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first electrode is an active electrode and said second electrode is an indifferent electrode, and means for rendering said generating means inoperative when an open circuit exists in the electrical circuit including the tissue, said indifferent electrode and said generating means.

5. High frequency electrosurgical apparatus for operating on electrically conductive tissue comprising:

a controllably operable generating means for generating a high frequency electric current;

an active electrode adapted to be applied to tissue at the situs of the operation;

an indifferent electrode for contact with tissue at the situs of the operation, said indifferent electrode comprising a sheet of porous material, adhesive means connected to said sheet of material for removably affixing said indifferent electrode to tissue, and a pair of spaced electrical terminals in contact with said porous material;

circuit means for connecting said active electrode and said terminals of said indifferent electrode to said generating means; and

control means for rendering said generating means inoperative when the conductivity in a circuit including the tissue, said indifferent electrode and said circuit means connecting said indifferent electrode to said generating means is less than a given value.