Electrosurgery irrigation primer systems and methods
First Claim
1. A method of purging an electrosurgical system comprising:
- activating a radiofrequency (RF) output at a level that does not cause heating or damage to a patient or user in the event of unintended contact;
activating a fluid delivery system for delivering an electrically conductive irrigation fluid to an active electrode and a return electrode;
monitoring current between the active electrode and the return electrode;
detecting a threshold current level indicative of the presence of a sufficient amount of the electrically conductive irrigation fluid adjacent the active electrode and the return electrode; and
causing the RF output and fluid delivery system to deactivate.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for priming or purging an electrosurgical fluid irrigation system. The electrosurgical system can include a high frequency power supply, a fluid delivery system, a handheld device having one or more electrodes, and one or more connectors for connecting the handheld device to the fluid delivery system and the RF generator. The electrosurgical system may be configured to deliver RF current and irrigation fluid until a threshold current level is detected, which is indicative of a continuous flow of fluid at the electrode and purging completion. The systems and methods of purging an electrosurgical system may further include dynamically controlling an RF output and fluid delivery system in accordance with varied parameters of detected threshold current levels.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of purging an electrosurgical system comprising:
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activating a radiofrequency (RF) output at a level that does not cause heating or damage to a patient or user in the event of unintended contact; activating a fluid delivery system for delivering an electrically conductive irrigation fluid to an active electrode and a return electrode; monitoring current between the active electrode and the return electrode; detecting a threshold current level indicative of the presence of a sufficient amount of the electrically conductive irrigation fluid adjacent the active electrode and the return electrode; and causing the RF output and fluid delivery system to deactivate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of regulating an electrosurgical system to ensure that an electrically conductive fluid is continuously present at a set of treatment electrodes during a surgical procedure comprising:
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activating a radiofrequency (RF) output of the electrosurgical system, wherein the RF output does not cause heating or damage to a tissue; monitoring current between the set of treatment electrodes, wherein the set of treatment electrodes comprises an active electrode and a return electrode; monitoring a fluid flow rate of the electrically conductive fluid at the set of treatment electrodes; automatically adjusting the fluid flow rate in response to a detected change in current level; and tracking a number of instances where the detected change in current level exceeds a threshold current level to determine whether the electrosurgical system is primed with the electrically conductive fluid. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification