Electrosurgical generator and method with multiple semi-autonomously executable functions

• US 6,942,660 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2002
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conmed Corporation (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Conmed Corporation (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dolan, Geoffrey W., Shores, Ronald, Davis, Rodney, Thompson, Richard, Pantera, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US10/299,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20040097914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 606 32- 35, 606 37- 42
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor

Abstract

Semi-autonomously executed routines accomplish the primary functions of electrosurgical energy delivery on a responsive basis for power control purposes and to adapt the delivered output waveform to perform new and better surgical procedures. The routines include and output voltage and output current sampling routine, a control routine for establishing the width of drive pulses used to create the output waveform, a pattern generation routine for establishing the pattern of drive pulses to be delivered in one mode cycle established by a selected mode of operation, a pattern delivery routine for repeatedly delivering sequences of the mode cycle pattern of drive pulses, and a power supply control routine for varying the voltage of the drive pulses in coordination with varying the width of the drive pulses.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical generator which creates and delivers a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform, the electrosurgical generator having a controller which executes instructional code of a plurality of interactive routines to cooperatively create drive pulses in response to a selected one of a plurality of selectable modes of operation and a selected one of a plurality of selectable output power levels within the selected mode of operation and an actual power output level of the output waveform, the controller applying the drive pulses to an output circuit which converts energy represented by the drive pulses into the output waveform, the drive pulses applied to the output circuit establishing mode characteristics and the actual power output level of the output waveform, the output waveform having an analog output voltage and an analog output current, and wherein the routines and operations executed by the controller comprise:

a sampling routine which obtains a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current of the output waveform at the time when each sample value is obtained, the sampling routine obtaining the plurality of sample values during each of a plurality of sequential sampling intervals;

a pulse control routine which establishes a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses during each sampling interval, the pulse control routine establishing the pulse-defining value during each sampling interval by use of the selected output power level and the sample values obtained over a preceding sampling interval which preceded a present sampling interval in which the sampling routine presently obtains the sample values;

a pattern generation routine which generates a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of drive pulses, the pattern generation routine generating the mode cycle pattern during the present sampling interval in accordance with the selected mode of operation and the pulse-defining value established by the pulse control routine during the present sampling interval; and

a pattern delivery routine which creates the drive pulses by sequentially delivering to the output circuit multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value.

2. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 1, wherein:

the pulse-defining value established by the pulse control routine is a width value for the drive pulses.

3. An electrosurgical generator which creates and delivers a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform, the electrosurgical generator having a controller which executes instructional code of a plurality of interactive routines to cooperatively create drive pulses in response to a selected one of a plurality of selectable modes of operation and a selected one of a plurality of selectable output power levels within the selected mode of operation and an actual power output level of the output waveform, the controller applying the drive pulses to an output circuit which converts energy represented by the drive pulses into the output waveform, the drive pulses applied to the output circuit establishing mode characteristics and the actual power output level of the output waveform, the output waveform having an analog output voltage and an analog output current, and wherein the routines and operations executed by the controller comprise:

a sampling routine which obtains a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained, the sampling routine obtaining the plurality of sample values during a sampling interval;

a pulse control routine which establishes a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using the sample values and the selected output power level, the pulse-defining value constituting a width value for the drive pulses;

a power supply control routine which establishes a voltage level for transferring energy to the output circuit in response to the applied drive pulses;

a pattern generation routine which generates a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation; and

a pattern delivery routine which creates the drive pulses by sequentially delivering to the output circuit multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the width value established by the pulse control routine; and

wherein;

the pulse control routine dynamically adjusts the width value for the drive pulses during the delivery of the output waveform;

the power supply control routine dynamically adjusts the voltage level during the delivery of the output waveform; and

the power supply control routine dynamically adjusts the voltage level at a slower rate than the pulse control routine dynamically adjusts the width value for the drive pulses.

4. An electrosurgical generator which regulates output power of a delivered electrosurgical output waveform, the output waveform having a primary radio frequency

and being defined by an analog output voltage and an analog output current, the electrosurgical generator comprising:

a controller which obtains a plurality of time-spaced sample values which correspond to one or both of an instantaneous value of the analog output voltage and an instantaneous value of the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained; and

wherein;

the controller obtains the sample values at a sampling rate which is less than a Nyquist rate for the primary radio frequency;

the controller performs a calculation using the sample values to derive a power-related quantity related to the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform; and

the controller regulates the actual output cower level of the delivered output waveform in relation to the power-related quantity.

5. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 4, further comprising:

a power selector to establish a selected output power level at which to deliver the output waveform; and

wherein;

the plurality of sample values obtained correspond to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current;

the controller performs the calculation using the sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current to derive the power-related quantity;

the controller regulates the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform based on a comparison of the power-related quantity and the selected output power level.

6. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 5, wherein:

the plurality of sample values obtained constitute a block of sample values obtained during a sampling interval, the sampling interval extends over a plurality of cycles of the radio frequency output waveform, the block of sample values including sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current occurring during the sampling interval in which the block of sample values was obtained; and

the controller calculates an average power value as the power-related quantity by performing a calculation which includes a root mean square calculation using the block of sample values of output voltage and output current obtained during the sampling interval.

7. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 6, further comprising:

an output circuit which creates the output waveform in response to the application of drive pulses, each drive pulse representing energy transferred to the output circuit for use in creating the output waveform; and

wherein;

the controller creates the drive pulses and applies the drive pulses to the output circuit to create the output waveform.

8. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 7, further comprising:

a mode selector to establish a selected mode of operation; and

wherein;

the controller executes instructional code of a plurality of routines which cooperatively create the drive pulses in response to the selected output power level and the selected mode of operation and the output power of the output waveform, the routines and operations executed by the controller comprise;

a sampling routine which obtains the plurality of sample values during the sampling interval;

a pulse control routine which establishes a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using the average power value and a comparison of the average power value and the selected output power level, the pulse-defining value constituting a width value for the drive pulses;

a pattern generation routine which generates a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation; and

a pattern delivery routine which creates the drive pulses by sequentially delivering to the output circuit multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value.

9. An electrosurgical generator which creates and delivers a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform, the electrosurgical generator having a controller which executes instructional code of a plurality of interactive routines to cooperatively create drive pulses in response to a selected one of a plurality of selectable modes of operation and a selected one of a plurality of selectable output power levels within the selected mode of operation and an actual power output level of the output waveform, the controller applying the drive pulses to an output circuit which converts energy represented by the drive pulses into the output waveform, the drive pulses applied to the output circuit establishing mode characteristics and the actual cower output level of the output waveform, the output waveform having an analog output voltage and an analog output current, and wherein the routines and operations executed by the controller comprise:

a sampling routine which obtains a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained, the sampling routine obtaining the plurality of sample values during each of a series of sampling intervals, the plurality of sample values obtained during each sampling interval constituting a block of sample values, the sampling routine obtaining a series of blocks of sample values during a corresponding series of the sampling intervals;

a pulse control routine which establishes a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using one block of sample values and the selected output power level, the pulse control routine establishing the pulse-defining value by use of a preceding block of sample values obtained during a preceding sampling interval which preceded a present sampling interval in which the sampling routine presently obtains a present block of sample values, the pulse control routine establishing the pulse-defining value simultaneously with the sampling routine obtaining the present block of sample values;

a pattern generation routine which generates a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation; and

a pattern delivery routine which creates the drive pulses by sequentially delivering to the output circuit multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value.

10. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 9, wherein:

the pulse-defining value established by the pulse control routine is a width value for the drive pulses.

16. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 2, 11, 8, 10 or 15, further comprising:

a power supply control routine which establishes a voltage level for transferring energy to the output circuit in response to the applied drive pulses, the power supply control routine establishing the voltage level in a coordinated relationship with the width value established by the pulse control routine.

17. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 16, wherein:

the pulse control routine dynamically adjusts the width value for the drive pulses during the delivery of the output waveform;

the power supply control routine dynamically adjusts the voltage level during the delivery of the output waveform; and

the power supply control routine dynamically adjusts the voltage level at a slower rate than the pulse control routine dynamically adjusts the width value for the drive pulses.

18. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 8, 10 or 15, wherein:

the pattern generation routine changes the width value for at least one but not all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern after the width value for those pulses has been initially established by the pulse control routine.

19. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 18, wherein:

the pattern generator routine changes the width value for at least one but not all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern to adjust average power over the generated mode cycle pattern to a level that cannot be achieved by establishing the same width value for all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern.

11. An electrosurgical generator which creates and delivers a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform, the electrosurgical generator having a controller which executes instructional code of a plurality of interactive routines to cooperatively create drive pulses in response to a selected one of a plurality of selectable modes of operation and a selected one of a plurality of selectable output power levels within the selected mode of operation and an actual power output level of the output waveform, the controller applying the drive pulses to an output circuit which converts energy represented by the drive pulses into the output waveform, the drive pulses applied to the output circuit establishing mode characteristics and the actual power output level of the output waveform, the output waveform having an analog output voltage and an analog output current, and wherein the routines and operations executed by the controller comprise:

a sampling routine which obtains a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained, the sampling routine obtaining the plurality of sample values during a sampling interval;

a pulse control routine which establishes a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using the sample values and the selected output power level, the pulse-defining value constituting a width value for the drive pulses;

a pattern generation routine which generates a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation and the pulse width established by the pulse control routine;

a pattern delivery routine which creates the drive pulses by sequentially delivering to the output circuit multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern; and

wherein;

the pattern generation routine changes the width value for at least one but not all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern after the width value of those pulses has been initially established by the pulse control routine.

12. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 11, wherein:

the pattern generation routine changes the width value for at least one but not all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern to adjust average power over the generated mode cycle pattern to a level that cannot be achieved by establishing the same width value for all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern.

20. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 11, 13 or 8, wherein:

the sampling routine obtains the sample values while the pulse control routine establishes the pulse-defining value and while the pattern generation routine generates the mode cycle pattern.

21. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11, 13 or 8, wherein:

the pattern delivery routine continually delivers the generated mode cycle patterns while the sampling routine obtains the sample values.

22. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 11, 13 or 8, wherein:

the plurality of sample values obtained during the sampling interval constituting a block of sample values, the sampling routine obtaining a series of blocks of sample values during a corresponding series of the sampling intervals;

the pulse control routine establishes the pulse-defining value during each sampling interval by using one block of sample values;

the pattern generation routine generates the mode cycle pattern during a present sampling interval using the pulse-defining value established by the pulse control routine during the present sampling interval; and

the pulse control routine establishes the pulse-defining value during the present sampling interval by use of a preceding block of sample values obtained during a preceding sampling interval which preceded the present sampling interval in which the sampling routine presently obtains the present block of sample values.

23. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11, 13 or 8, further including direct memory access components with which the controller interacts, and wherein:

the sampling routine records the plurality of sample values in the direct memory access components without requiring the execution of instructional code after recording of the sample values has commenced during each sampling interval; and

the pattern delivery routine utilizes the direct memory access components to sequentially deliver the multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern without requiring the execution of instructional code after commencing delivery of the generated mode cycle patterns.

25. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11, 13 or 6, wherein:

the sampling routine obtains the sample values of the output voltage and the output current on an alternating basis.

26. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11, 13 or 8, further including an analog to digital converter receptive of the sample values and operative to convert the instantaneous sample values of the analog output voltage and the analog output current into corresponding digital sample values, and a memory having a plurality of memory locations, and wherein:

the sampling routine fills a first plurality of memory locations of the memory with the plurality of digital sample values obtained from one sampling interval and fills a second plurality of memory locations of the memory with the plurality of digital sample values obtained from the next subsequent sampling interval; and

the sampling routine performs a mathematical calculation using the sample values from one of the first and second pluralities of memory locations to derive an average power value representative of the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform during the corresponding one sample interval, and then alternately performs the same mathematical calculation using the sample values from the other one of the first and second pluralities of memory locations to derive an average power value representative of the actual output power of the delivered output waveform during the other one of the sample intervals.

27. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 26, wherein:

the sampling routine obtains a plurality of sample values of output voltage and a plurality of samples of output current during each sample interval;

the sampling routine obtains one sample value at a time;

the sampling routine obtains the sample values of the output voltage and the output current on an alternating basis; and

the sampling routine sequentially fills the memory locations of each of the first and second pluralities of memory locations with the sample values in the order in which the sample values are obtained.

28. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11, 13 or 8, wherein:

the sampling routine obtains a plurality of sample values of the output voltage and a plurality of sample values of the output current during each sampling interval;

the pulse control routine calculates an error value during each sampling interval by subtracting from the selected output power level a power value obtained from a calculation using the plurality of sample values obtained during one sampling interval;

the pulse control routine retains a preceding pulse-defining value and a preceding error value applicable to a preceding sampling interval which preceded a present sampling interval in which the sampling routine is presently obtaining the sample values;

the pulse control routine calculates a present error value obtained from the calculation of the error value during a present sampling interval; and

the pulse control routine establishes a present pulse-defining value during the present sampling interval by performing a calculation which includes multiplying the present error value and the preceding pulse-defining value and a first compensating factor and thereafter subtracting the product of the preceding error value and the preceding pulse-defining value and a second compensating factor.

29. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11, 13 or 8, wherein:

the pulse control routine establishes the pulse-defining value during each sampling interval by performing a calculation using the plurality of sample values obtained; and

further comprising;

a power supply control routine which establishes a voltage level for transferring energy to the output circuit in response to the applied drive pulses, the power supply control routine establishing the voltage level in a coordinated relationship with a preferred pulse-defining value, the power supply routine establishing the preferred pulse-defining value in relation to a present pulse-defining value established by the pulse control routine during a present sampling interval;

the power supply control routine calculating a present voltage error value during the present sampling interval by comparing the present pulse-defining value with the preferred pulse-defining value during the present sampling interval; and

the power supply control routine adjusting the voltage level relative to an existing voltage level by adding to the existing voltage level an amount obtained by performing a calculation which includes multiplying the present voltage error value and a first compensating factor and by thereafter subtracting the product of a second compensating factor and a preceding voltage error value obtained by the same calculation performed during a preceding sampling interval.

30. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11, or 7, wherein:

the controller selectively dissipates energy previously transferred to the output circuit by the drive pulses after delivery of the output waveform has commenced.

31. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 30, wherein:

the controller selectively dissipates the energy previously transferred to the output circuit by the drive pulses from one delivered generated mode cycle pattern after delivery of the output waveform has commenced.

32. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11 or 13, wherein:

the sampling routine obtains the sample values at a sampling rate which is less than a Nyquist rate for the primary radio frequency of the output waveform.

33. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 32, wherein:

the sampling routine obtains sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current;

the pulse control routine performs a calculation which includes a root mean square calculation using the sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current to derive an average power value related to the actual power output level; and

the pulse control routine establishes the pulse-defining value in relation to the average power value.

34. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 33, further comprising:

the pulse control routine establishes the pulse-defining value by using a comparison of the average power value and the selected output power level.

35. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 11 or 13, wherein:

the pulse control routine establishes the pulse-defining value by performing a calculation using the sample values to derive a power-related quantity.

36. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 35, wherein:

the pulse control routine calculates an average power value as the power-related quantity by performing a calculation which includes a root mean square calculation using sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current.

40. A method as defined in claims 12, 14, 26 or 25, further comprising:

including the established pulse-defining value within the generated mode cycle pattern.

13. An electrosurgical generator which creates and delivers a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform, the electrosurgical generator having a controller which executes instructional code of a plurality of interactive routines to cooperatively create drive pulses in response to a selected one of a plurality of selectable modes of operation and a selected one of a plurality of selectable output power levels within the selected mode of operation and an actual power output level of the output waveform, the controller applying the drive pulses to an output circuit which converts energy represented by the drive pulses into the output waveform, the drive pulses applied to the output circuit establishing mode characteristics and the actual power output level of the output waveform, the output waveform having an analog output voltage and an analog output current, and wherein the routines and operations executed by the controller comprise:

a sampling routine which obtains a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained, the sampling routine obtaining the plurality of sample values during a sampling interval;

a pulse control routine which establishes a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using the sample values and the selected output power level;

a pattern generation routine which generates a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation; and

a pattern delivery routine which creates the drive pulses by sequentially delivering to the output circuit multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value; and

wherein;

the controller selectively dissipates energy previously transferred to the output circuit by the drive pulses after delivery of the output waveform has commenced.

14. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 13, wherein:

the controller selectively dissipates energy from the output circuit after delivery of the output waveform has commenced from the energy represented by the drive pulses of one delivered generated mode cycle pattern.

15. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claim 13, wherein:

the pulse-defining value established by the pulse control routine is a width value for the drive pulses.

24. An electrosurgical generator as defined in claims 3, 9, 13 or 8, wherein:

the pattern generation routine includes the pulse-defining value established by the pulse control routine within the generated mode cycle pattern.

37. A method of creating and delivering a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform defined by an analog output voltage and an analog output current comprising:

selecting a modes of operation to characterize the output waveform;

selecting an output power level for the output waveform for the selected mode of operation;

converting energy represented by drive pulses into the output waveform;

establishing mode characteristics and an actual power output level of the output waveform from the drive pulses;

obtaining a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained;

obtaining the plurality of sample values during each of a plurality of sequentially occurring sampling intervals;

establishing a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses during each sampling interval by use of the selected output power level and the sample values obtained over a preceding sampling interval which preceded a present sampling interval in which sample values are presently being obtained;

generating a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of drive pulses during the present sampling interval in accordance with the selected mode of operation and the pulse-defining value established during the present sampling interval; and

creating the drive pulses by sequentially delivering multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value.

38. A method as defined in claim 37, further comprising:

establishing the pulse-defining value as a width value for the drive pulses.

54. A method as defined in claims 38, 43, 50, 42 or 52, further comprising:

establishing a voltage level for converting energy represented by the drive pulses into the output waveform in respect to the drive pulses.

55. A method as defined in claim 54, further comprising:

coordinating the established voltage level to the width value established for the drive pulses.

56. A method as defined in claim 55, further comprising:

dynamically adjusting the width value for the drive pulses during delivery of the output waveform;

dynamically adjusting the voltage level during delivery of the output waveform; and

dynamically adjusting the voltage level at a slower rate than the width value for the drive pulses is dynamically adjusted.

57. A method as defined in claims 38, 39, 50, 42 or 52, further comprising:

changing the width value for at least one but not all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern after the width value for those pulses has been initially established.

59. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43, 51 or 50, further comprising:

continually delivering the mode cycle pattern while obtaining the sample valves.

61. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43, 51 or 49, further comprising:

transferring the energy to be converted into the output waveform to an output circuit;

delivering the output waveform from the output circuit; and

selectively dissipating some of the previously transferred energy from the output circuit of before that energy is converted into the output waveform.

62. A method as defined in claim 61, further comprising:

selectively dissipating some of the energy previously transferred to the output circuit after delivery of the output waveform has commenced from the energy represented by the drive pulses of one delivered generated mode cycle pattern.

63. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43 or 51, further comprising:

obtaining the sample values at a sampling rate which is less than a Nyquist rate for a primary radio frequency of the output waveform.

64. A method as defined in claim 63, further comprising:

obtaining sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current;

performing a calculation which includes a root mean square calculation using the sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current to derive an average power value related to the actual power output level; and

establishing the pulse-defining value in relation to the average power value.

65. A method as defined in claim 64, further comprising:

establishing the pulse-defining value by using a comparison of the average power value and the selected output power level.

66. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43 or 51, further comprising:

establishing the pulse-defining value by performing a calculation using the sample values to derive a power-related quantity related to the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform.

67. A method as defined in claim 66, wherein:

calculating an average power value as the power-related quantity by performing a calculation which includes a root mean square calculation using sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current.

68. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43, 51 or 48, further comprising:

obtaining the sample values of the output voltage and the output current on an alternating basis.

69. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43, 51 or 50, further comprising:

converting the sample values of the analog output voltage and the analog output current into corresponding digital sample values;

filling a first plurality of memory locations with the plurality of digital sample values obtained from one sampling interval;

filling a second plurality of memory locations with the plurality of digital sample values obtained from the next subsequent sampling interval;

performing a mathematical calculation using the sample values from one of the first and second pluralities of memory locations to derive an average power value representative of the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform during the corresponding one sample interval, and then alternately performing the same mathematical calculation using the sample values from the other one of the first and second pluralities of memory locations to derive an average power value representative of the actual output power of the delivered output waveform during the other one of the sample intervals.

70. A method as defined in claim 69, further comprising:

obtaining a plurality of sample values of output voltage and a plurality of samples of output current during each sample interval;

obtaining one sample value at a time;

obtaining the sample values of the output voltage and the output current on an alternating basis; and

sequentially filling the memory locations of each of the first and second pluralities of memory locations with the sample values in the order in which the sample values are obtained.

71. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43, 51 or 50, further comprising:

obtaining a plurality of sample values of the output voltage and a plurality of sample values of the output current during each sampling interval;

calculating an error value during each sampling interval by subtracting from the selected output power level a power value obtained from a calculation using the plurality of sample values obtained during one sampling interval;

retaining a preceding pulse-defining value and a preceding error value applicable to a preceding sampling interval which preceded a present sampling interval in which the sampling routine is presently obtaining the sample values;

designating the error value obtained from the calculation of the error value during a present sampling interval as a present error value; and

establishing a present pulse-defining value during the present sampling interval by performing a calculation which includes multiplying the present error value and the preceding pulse-defining value and a first compensating factor and thereafter subtracting the product of the preceding error value and the preceding pulse-defining value and a second compensation factor.

72. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43, 51 or 50, further comprising:

establishing the pulse-defining value during each sampling interval by performing a calculation using the plurality of sample values obtained;

establishing a voltage level for converting the energy represented by the drive pulses into the output waveform;

establishing the voltage level in a coordinated relationship with a preferred pulse-defining value;

establishing the preferred pulse-defining value in relation to a present pulse-defining value established during a present sampling interval;

calculating a present voltage error value during the present sampling interval by comparing the present pulse-defining value with the preferred pulse-defining value during the present sampling interval; and

adjusting the voltage level relative to an existing voltage level by adding to the existing voltage level an amount obtained by performing a calculation which includes multiplying the present voltage error value and a first compensating factor and by thereafter subtracting the product of a second compensating factor and a preceding voltage error value obtained by the same calculation performed during a preceding sampling interval.

73. A method as defined in claims 37, 39, 41, 43, 51 or 50, further comprising:

performing at least some of the recited steps by executing instructional code using a controller, the instructional code including a plurality of routines which cooperatively create the drive pulses in response to the selected output power level and the selected mode of operation and the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform, the routines and operations executed by the controller comprise;

a sampling routine which obtains a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current of the output waveform at the time when each sample value is obtained;

a pulse control routine which establishes a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by performing a calculation using the sample values to derive a power-related quantity related to the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform and a comparison to the selected output power level,

a pattern generation routine which generates a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation; and

a pattern delivery routine which creates the drive pulses by sequentially delivering the multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value.

39. A method of creating and delivering a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform defined by an analog output voltage and an analog output current, comprising:

selecting a mode of operation to characterize the output waveform;

selecting an output power level for the output waveform for the selected mode of operation;

converting energy represented by drive pulses into the output waveform;

establishing mode characteristics and an actual power output level of the output waveform from the drive pulses;

obtaining a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained;

obtaining the plurality of sample values during a sampling interval;

establishing a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using the selected output power level and a calculation using the sample values to derive a power-related quantity, the pulse-defining value constituting a width value for the drive pulses;

establishing a voltage level for converting the energy represented by the drive pulses into the output waveform;

generating a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation;

creating the drive pulses by sequentially delivering multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established width value;

dynamically adjusting the width value for the drive pulses during the delivery of the output waveform;

dynamically adjusting the voltage level for converting the energy represented by the drive pulses during the delivery of the output waveform; and

dynamically adjusting the voltage level at a slower rate of than the width value is dynamically adjusted.

58. A method as defined in claims 39, 43, 51 or 50, further comprising:

obtaining sample values while establishing the pulse-defining value for the drive pulses and while generating the mode cycle pattern.

60. A method as defined in claims 39, 43, 51 or 50, further comprising:

constituting a block of sample values from the plurality of sample values obtained during the sampling interval;

obtaining a series of blocks of sample values during a corresponding series of sampling intervals;

establishing the pulse-defining value during each sampling interval by using one block of sample values;

establishing the pulse-defining value during a present sampling interval by use of a preceding block of sample values obtained during a preceding sampling interval which preceded the present sampling interval in which a present block of sample values is obtained; and

generating the mode cycle pattern during the present sampling interval by using the pulse-defining value established by using the preceding block of sample values.

41. A method of creating and delivering a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform defined by an analog output voltage and an analog output current, comprising:

selecting a mode of operation to characterize the output waveform;

selecting an output power level for the output waveform for the selected mode of operation;

converting energy represented by drive pulses into the output waveform;

establishing mode characteristics and an actual power output level of the output waveform from the drive pulses;

obtaining a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained;

obtaining a plurality of sample values during each of a series of sampling intervals;

constituting a block of sample values from the plurality of sample values obtained during each sampling interval;

obtaining a series of blocks of sample values during a corresponding series of sampling intervals;

establishing a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using a block of sample values and the selected output power level;

establishing the pulse-defining value during a present sampling interval simultaneously with obtaining a present block of sample values;

using a preceding block of sample values which was obtained in a preceding sampling interval which preceded the present sampling interval to establish the pulse-defining value for the drive pulses during the present sampling interval;

generating a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation; and

creating the drive pulses by sequentially delivering multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value.

42. A method as defined in claim 41, further comprising:

establishing the pulse-defining value as a width value for the drive pulses.

43. A method of creating and delivering a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform defined by an analog output voltage and an analog output current, comprising:

selecting a mode of operation to characterize the output waveform;

selecting an output power level for the output waveform for the selected mode of operation;

converting energy represented by drive pulses into the output waveform;

establishing mode characteristics and an actual power output level of the output waveform from the drive pulses;

obtaining a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current at the time when each sample value is obtained;

obtaining the plurality of sample values during a sampling interval;

establishing a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using the sample values and the selected output power level, the pulse-defining value constituting a width value for the drive pulses;

generating a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation and the established width value;

creating the drive pulses by sequentially delivering multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern; and

changing the width value for at least one but not all of a plurality of drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern after the width value for those drive pulses has been initially established but before creating the drive pulses using the delivered mode cycle patterns.

44. A method as defined in claim 43, further comprising:

changing the width value for at least one but not all of the drive pulses to adjust average power over the generated mode cycle pattern to a level that cannot be achieved by establishing the same width value for all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern.

45. A method as defined in claim 43, further comprising:

changing the width value for at least one but not all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern to adjust average power over the generated mode cycle pattern to a level that cannot be achieved by establishing the same width value for all of the drive pulses within the generated mode cycle pattern.

46. A method of regulating output power of a delivered electrosurgical output waveform, the output waveform having a primary radio frequency and being defined by an analog output voltage and an analog output current, comprising:

obtaining a plurality of time-spaced sample values which correspond to one or both of an instantaneous value of the output voltage and an instantaneous value of the output current at the time when each sample is obtained;

obtaining the sample values at a sampling rate which is less than a Nyquist rate for the primary radio frequency;

performing a calculation using the sample values to derive a power-related quantity related to an actual output power level of the delivered output waveform; and

regulating the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform in relation to the power-related quantity.

47. A method as defined in claim 46, further comprising:

selecting an output power level at which to deliver the output waveform;

obtaining the plurality of sample values which correspond to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current;

performing the calculation using the sample values which correspond to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current to derive the power-related quantity; and

regulating the actual output power level of the delivered output waveform based on a comparison of the power-related quantity and the selected output power level.

48. A method as defined in claim 47, further comprising:

obtaining a block of sample values during a sampling interval;

extending the sampling interval during which each block is obtained over a plurality of cycles of the radio frequency output waveform;

constituting each block with sample values corresponding to both the analog output voltage and the analog output current occurring during the sampling interval in which the block of sample values was obtained; and

calculating an average power value as the power-related quantity by performing a calculation which includes a root mean square calculation using the block of sample values of output voltage and output current obtained during the sampling interval.

49. A method as defined in claim 48, further comprising:

creating the output waveform from energy represented by drive pulses; and

transferring the energy represented the drive pulses into the output waveform.

50. A method as defined in claim 49, further comprising:

selecting a mode of operation;

establishing a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using the average power value and a comparison of the average power value and the selected output power level, the pulse-defining value constituting a width value for the drive pulses;

generating a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation; and

sequentially delivering multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value.

51. A method of creating and delivering a radio frequency electrosurgical output waveform defined by an analog output voltage and an analog output current, comprising:

selecting a mode of operation to characterize the output waveform;

selecting an output power level for the output waveform for the selected mode of operation;

converting energy represented by drive pulses into the output waveform;

establishing mode characteristics and an actual power output level of the output waveform from the drive pulses;

obtaining a plurality of time-spaced sample values corresponding to the analog output voltage and the analog output current of the output waveform at the time when each sample value is obtained;

obtaining the plurality of sample values during a sampling interval;

establishing a pulse-defining value for the drive pulses by using the sample values and the selected output power level;

generating a mode cycle pattern for a plurality of the drive pulses in accordance with the selected mode of operation;

creating the drive pulses by sequentially delivering multiple ones of the generated mode cycle pattern with the drive pulses of the delivered mode cycle patterns having the established pulse-defining value; and

transferring the energy to be converted into the output waveform to an output circuit;

delivering the output waveform from the output circuit; and

selectively dissipating some of the previously transferred energy from the output circuit of before that energy is converted into the output waveform.

52. A method as defined in claim 51, further comprising:

establishing the pulse-defining value as a width value for the drive pulses.

53. A method as defined in claim 51, comprising:

selectively dissipating some of the energy previously transferred to the output circuit after delivery of the output waveform has commenced from the energy represented by the drive pulses of one delivered generated mode cycle pattern.