System and method for controlling RF output during tissue sealing
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical system for sealing tissue, comprising:
- a forceps including at least one shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; and
each of the jaw members including a sealing plate which communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween, the jaw members connected to an electrosurgical generator;
at least one sensor which determines a gap distance between the sealing plates of the jaw members; and
a microprocessor programmed to communicate with the at least one sensor to measure an initial gap distance between the sealing plates and to generate a desired gap distance trajectory based on the initial gap distance, the microprocessor programmed to communicate with the at least one sensor in real-time to adjust output level of the electrosurgical generator as a function of the measured gap distance during the sealing process.
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Abstract
An electrosurgical system for sealing tissue is disclosed which includes an electrosurgical forceps having a shaft member and a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members including a sealing plate which communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator. The system also includes one or more sensors which determine a gap distance between the sealing plates of the jaw members and a microprocessor which is adapted to communicate with the sensor and measure an initial gap distance between the sealing plates as well as to generate a desired gap distance trajectory based on the initial gap distance. The microprocessor is further adapted to communicate with the at least one sensor in real time to adjust output level of the electrosurgical generator as a function of the measured gap distance during the sealing process.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical system for sealing tissue, comprising:
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a forceps including at least one shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; and each of the jaw members including a sealing plate which communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween, the jaw members connected to an electrosurgical generator; at least one sensor which determines a gap distance between the sealing plates of the jaw members; and a microprocessor programmed to communicate with the at least one sensor to measure an initial gap distance between the sealing plates and to generate a desired gap distance trajectory based on the initial gap distance, the microprocessor programmed to communicate with the at least one sensor in real-time to adjust output level of the electrosurgical generator as a function of the measured gap distance during the sealing process. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for sealing tissue comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, the forceps including at least one shaft member having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including jaw members movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including a sealing plate connected to an electrosurgical generator and communicate electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween and at least one of the jaw members including a sensor which determines a gap distance between jaw members; grasping tissue between the sealing plates and measuring an initial gap distance between the sealing plates; generating a desired gap distance trajectory based on the initial gap distance, wherein the desired gap distance trajectory includes a plurality of desired target gap distance values; and adjusting the output of the electrosurgical generator as a function of the real-time changes in gap distance by the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification