Electrosurgical methods and systems
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical method comprising:
- maintaining plasma proximate to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the plasma created based on delivery of output energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller, the output energy within a predetermined first energy range, and during periods of time when output energy is being delivered within the first energy range;
controlling an aspirating flow of fluid drawn into an aperture of the electrosurgical wand at a first flow rate; and
increasing the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture responsive to the electrosurgical controller detecting the active electrode is in operational relationship with tissue; and
maintaining plasma proximate to the active electrode, the plasma created based on delivery of output energy to the active electrode within a predetermined second energy range, the second energy range distinct from the first energy range, and during periods of time output energy is being delivered within the second energy range;
controlling the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture at a second flow rate; and
decreasing the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture responsive to the electrosurgical controller detecting the active electrode is in operational relationship with tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electrosurgical methods and systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including maintaining plasma proximate to an active electrode in a first energy range, and a second energy range. During periods when plasma is proximate to the active electrode, the illustrative method may include controlling flow of fluid drawn into an aperture of an electrosurgical wand, and in some situations increasing fluid flow drawing into the aperture responsive to the active electrode being in operational relationship with tissue, and in other cases decreasing fluid flow drawing into the aperture responsive to the active electrode being in operational relationship with tissue. Further, during periods when plasma is proximate to the active electrode, the illustrative method may include providing output energy at a default energy setpoint, and then providing output energy at a second energy setpoint.
510 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical method comprising:
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maintaining plasma proximate to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the plasma created based on delivery of output energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller, the output energy within a predetermined first energy range, and during periods of time when output energy is being delivered within the first energy range; controlling an aspirating flow of fluid drawn into an aperture of the electrosurgical wand at a first flow rate; and
increasing the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture responsive to the electrosurgical controller detecting the active electrode is in operational relationship with tissue; andmaintaining plasma proximate to the active electrode, the plasma created based on delivery of output energy to the active electrode within a predetermined second energy range, the second energy range distinct from the first energy range, and during periods of time output energy is being delivered within the second energy range; controlling the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture at a second flow rate; and decreasing the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture responsive to the electrosurgical controller detecting the active electrode is in operational relationship with tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An electrosurgical method comprising:
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maintaining plasma proximate to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the plasma created based on delivery of output energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller, the output energy within a predetermined first energy range, and during periods of time when output energy is being delivered within the first energy range; measuring at least one electrical parameter presented by of an electrode circuit impedance comprising the plasma and active electrode; controlling an aspirating flow of fluid drawn into an aperture of the electrosurgical wand at a first flow rate; and
increasing the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture in response to an increase in the electrode circuit impedance; andmaintaining plasma proximate to the active electrode, the plasma created based on delivery of output energy to the active electrode within a predetermined second energy range, the second energy range distinct from the first energy range, and during periods of time output energy is being delivered within the second energy range; measuring the at least one electrical parameter indicative of an electrode circuit impedance comprising the plasma and active electrode; controlling the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture at a second flow rate; and decreasing the aspirating flow of fluid drawn into the aperture responsive to an increase in electrode circuit impedance.
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Specification