Circuit for controlling arc energy from an electrosurgical generator

• US 7,044,948 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2003
• Issued: 05/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Keppel, David S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GIBSON, ROY DEAN
• Application Number:
  US10/728,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20040230189A1
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 606/38, 606/40, 606/41, 606/46, 606/49, 606/34, 323/301, 323/911
• US Class Current: 606/34
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1213 creating an arc

Abstract

A circuit is disclosed which minimizes the amount of tissue vaporized during a first half (positive half cycle) of an electrosurgical current cycle and minimizes the amount of current applied to tissue during a second half (negative half cycle) of the electrosurgical current cycle to control thermal spread. The circuit is preferably provided within an electrosurgical generator which is capable of controlling the amount of energy delivered to a patient during electrosurgery on a per arc basis.

Claims

1. A circuit for controlling arc energy from an electrosurgical generator, said circuit comprising:

means for receiving an output current generated by the electrosurgical generator; and

a diode-resistor block electrically connected to said means for receiving the output current, said diode-resistor block configured to limit the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current;

said diode-resistor block including a pair of diodes biased opposite from each other and configured to split the output current into two paths, each of the two paths including one of a resistor and a potentiometer in series with a respective diode of the pair of diodes.

2. A current according to claim 1, wherein said diode-resistor block is connected in series to said means for receiving the output current.

3. A circuit according to claim 1, wherein said diode-resistor block is connected in parallel with said means for receiving the output current.

4. A circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a resistor in series with said diode-resistor block.

5. A circuit according to claim 1, further comprising a resistor in parallel with said diode-resistor block.

6. An electrosurgical generator for controlling the amount of energy delivered to a patient during electrosurgery on a per arc basis, the electrosurgical generator comprising:

a circuit including;

means for receiving an output current generated by the electrosurgical generator; and

means for limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current;

said means for limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current including a pair of diodes biased opposite from each other for splitting the output current into two paths, each of the two paths including one of a resistor and a potentiometer in series with a respective diode of the pair of diodes.

7. An electrosurgical generator according to claim 6, wherein said means for limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current includes a diode-resistor block in series with said means for receiving the output current.

8. An electrosurgical generator according to claim 6, wherein said means for limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current includes a diode-resistor block in parallel with said means for receiving the output current.

9. An electrosurgical generator according to claim 6, further comprising a resistor in series with said means for limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current.

10. An electrosurgical generator according to claim 6, further comprising a resistor in parallel with said means for limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current.

11. A method for controlling arc energy from an electrosurgical generator, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving an output current generated by the electrosurgical generator; and

limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current by splitting the output current into two paths using a pair of diodes biased opposite from each other and providing in each of the two paths one of a resistor and a potentiometer in series with a respective diode of the pair of diodes.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said step for limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current comprises the step of providing a diode-resistor block in series with the output current.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said step for limiting the amount of output current for at least one half cycle of the output current comprises the step of providing a diode-resistor block in parallel with the output current.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of varying the resistive value for one of the resistor and the potentiometer.