Electrosurgical Generator User Interface

• US 20110077631A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Published: 03/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Keller, Craig A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,652,125 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00726 Duty cycle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 User interfaces for surgical systems

Abstract

An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes an output stage configured to generate a waveform, a first input configured to adjust a cut setting representative of a cutting effect of the waveform, and a second input configured to adjust a hemostasis setting representative of a hemostasis effect of the waveform. The generator also includes a controller configured to receive cut and hemostasis settings and to adjust one of a duty cycle, a crest factor and a power level of the waveform to achieve a combined cutting and hemostasis effect based on the cut and hemostasis settings.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical generator, comprising:

an output stage configured to generate at least one waveform;

a first input configured to adjust a cut setting representative of a cutting effect of the at least one waveform;

a second input configured to adjust a hemostasis setting representative of a hemostasis effect of the at least one waveform; and

a controller configured to receive cut and hemostasis settings and to adjust at least one of a duty cycle, a crest factor and a power level of the at least one waveform to achieve a combined cutting and hemostasis effect based on the cut and hemostasis settings.

2. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 1, wherein the at least one waveform is selected from the group consisting of an RF electrosurgical waveform and a microwave waveform.

3. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one display screen configured to output the cut setting and the hemostasis setting.

4. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 3, wherein the at least one display screen is a touch screen.

5. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 4, wherein the at least one display screen is configured to output a user interface including the first and second inputs.

6. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second settings displays a scale representative of the cutting effect and the hemostasis effect of the at least one waveform, respectively.

18. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 1, wherein the at least one waveform is selected from the group consisting of an RF electrosurgical waveform and a microwave waveform.

7. A method for controlling an electrosurgical generator, the method comprising the steps of:

adjusting a cut setting representative of a cutting effect of at least one waveform;

adjusting a hemostasis setting representative of a hemostasis effect of the at least one waveform; and

adjusting at least one waveform parameter of the at least one waveform to achieve a combined cutting and hemostasis effect based on the cut and hemostasis settings.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of a duty cycle, a crest factor and a power level.

9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

displaying the cut setting and the hemostasis setting on the at least one display screen including a touch screen.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:

outputting a user interface including the first and second inputs on the at least one display screen.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the displaying step further includes the step of displaying each of the first and second settings as a scale representative of the cutting effect and the hemostasis effect of the at least one waveform, respectively.

12. An electrosurgical system, comprising:

an electrosurgical generator, comprising;

an output stage configured to generate at least one waveform suitable to impart cutting and hemostasis effects on tissue;

a first input configured to adjust a cut setting representative of the cutting effect of the at least one waveform;

a second input configured to adjust a hemostasis setting representative of the hemostasis effect of the at least one waveform; and

a controller configured to receive cut and hemostasis settings and to adjust at least one parameter of the at least one waveform to achieve a combined cutting and hemostasis effect based on the cut and hemostasis settings; and

at least one electrosurgical instrument configured to couple to the electrosurgical generator and to supply the at least one waveform to the tissue.

13. The electrosurgical system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from the group consisting of a duty cycle, a crest factor and a power level.

14. The electrosurgical system according to claim 12, further comprising:

at least one display screen configured to output the cut setting and the hemostasis setting.

15. The electrosurgical system according to claim 14, wherein the at least one display screen is a touch screen.

16. The electrosurgical system according to claim 15, wherein the at least one display screen is configured to output a user interface including the first and second inputs.

17. The electrosurgical system according to claim 12, wherein each of the first and second settings displays a scale representative of the cutting effect and the hemostasis effect of the at least one waveform, respectively.