Systems and methods for controlling power in an electrosurgical probe

• US 7,582,084 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2002
• Issued: 09/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Panescu, Dorin, Burnside, Robert, Whayne, James G., Swanson, David K
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen; Lee S
• Application Number:
  US10/303,079
• Publication Number:
  US 20030199863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,475 Days
• Field of Search: 606 27- 52, 606/34, 606/41
• US Class Current: 606/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1492 having a flexible, catheter-like structure, e.g. for heart ablation A61B18/1477 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00351 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00577 Ablation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0069 using fuzzy logic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00714 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00726 Duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00803 with temperature prediction
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/128 generating two or more frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling the power supplied to an electrosurgical probe. The systems and methods may be used to monitor electrode-tissue contact, adjust power in response to a loss of contact, and apply power in such a manner that charring, coagulum formation and tissue popping are less likely to occur.

Claims

1. A tissue treatment method, comprising:

initiating a tissue coagulation procedure;

monitoring impedance at least two different frequencies during the tissue coagulation procedure; and

adjusting the tissue coagulation procedure in response to the monitored impedance at at least two different frequencies being indicative of a viable tissue to non-viable tissue transition.

2. A tissue treatment method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

ending the tissue coagulation procedure in response to the monitored impedance at least two different frequencies being indicative of a viable tissue to non-viable tissue transition.

3. A tissue treatment method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

adjusting the tissue coagulation procedure while continuing to coagulate tissue in response to the monitored impedance at least two different frequencies being indicative of a loss of tissue contact.

4. A tissue treatment method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a tissue coagulation procedure comprises supplying energy to the tissue.

5. A tissue treatment method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a tissue coagulation procedure comprises supplying RF energy to the tissue.

6. A tissue treatment method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a tissue coagulation procedure comprises supplying ultrasonic energy to the tissue.

7. A tissue treatment method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of initiating a tissue coagulation procedure comprises initiating a cryogenic tissue coagulation procedure.

8. A tissue treatment apparatus, comprising:

a shaft including at least one operative element;

means for initiating a tissue coagulation procedure with the at least one operative element;

means for monitoring impedance at least two different frequencies; and

means for adjusting the tissue coagulation procedure in response the monitored impedance at least two different frequencies being indicative of viable tissue to non-viable tissue transition.

9. A tissue treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one operative element comprises an electrode.