Power supply and methods for limiting power in electrosurgery
First Claim
1. A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
- introducing an electrically conductive fluid to a target site on or with a patient'"'"'s body;
positioning an electrode terminal within the electrically conductive fluid in contact with or close proximity to tissue at the target site on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the electrode terminal being coupled to a high frequency power supply;
positioning a return electrode within the electrically conductive fluid such that the return electrode is not in contact with the tissue;
applying high frequency voltage to the electrode terminal to at least modify the tissue; and
detecting the current output from the power supply; and
reducing power applied to the electrode terminal when the current output exceeds a predetermined threshold current.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A high frequency power supply for applying electrical energy to a target site on or within a patient'"'"'s body includes an electrical output driver, an output current sensor detecting the current output from the driver, and a power limiting device coupled to the current sensor during normal conditions, the power limiting device operates on a continuous basis. When current output exceeds a predetermined threshold level, the power limiting device is adapted to reduce power on the output driver to a standby mode. The power limiting device operates on a periodic detection or duty cycle when in the standby mode. The power limiting device switches into the stand-by mode to prevent excessive power drains. The power supply operates at a low power, pulsatile manner when an attached probe is in conductive or isotonic fluid but is not engaging body tissue or near a high impedance source. In this pulsatile mode, the power supply operates in a cyclical manner, typically at a predetermined duty cycle.
700 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method for applying electrical energy to a target site on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
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introducing an electrically conductive fluid to a target site on or with a patient'"'"'s body;
positioning an electrode terminal within the electrically conductive fluid in contact with or close proximity to tissue at the target site on or within a patient'"'"'s body, the electrode terminal being coupled to a high frequency power supply;
positioning a return electrode within the electrically conductive fluid such that the return electrode is not in contact with the tissue;
applying high frequency voltage to the electrode terminal to at least modify the tissue; and
detecting the current output from the power supply; and
reducing power applied to the electrode terminal when the current output exceeds a predetermined threshold current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
conditioning a signal from a current sensor; and
comparing a value of said signal to a value of a predetermined threshold current.
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4. A method of claim 1 wherein the predetermined threshold current is about 1.0 to 3.0 amperes for spark limiting.
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5. A method of claim 1 further comprising positioning the electrode terminal within the synovial sac of the knee to remove soft tissue.
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6. A method of claim 1 further comprising passing the electrode terminal through the synovial sac of the knee to remove soft tissue around a fastener.
Specification