Method and system for heating tissue with a bipolar instrument
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method for heating a treatment region of tissue, said method comprising:
- introducing a bipolar surgical instrument having first and second jaws with first and second electrode members within the treatment region;
grasping tissue between the first and second jaws;
energizing the electrode members at a power level to deliver electrical energy to and heat tissue between the first and second electrode members; and
increasing the power level at a predetermined rate from an initial level, wherein the initial level and predetermined rate are selected to avoid creating a vapor layer and to permit an impedance increase to occur as a result of complete tissue desiccation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for heating tissue completely, thoroughly, and uniformly comprise delivering radio frequency energy through a bipolar surgical instrument having first and second jaws with first and second electrode members within the treatment region. Tissue is grasped between the first and second jaws of the bipolar instrument. The electrode members are energized at a power level to deliver electrical energy to and heat tissue between the first and second electrode members. The power level is increased at a predetermined rate from an initial level. The initial level and predetermined rate are selected to avoid creating a vapor layer and to permit an impedance increase to occur as a result of complete tissue desiccation. A tissue impedance may also be measured and compared to a preset impedance limit for terminating the power delivery when the measured impedance exceeds the impedance limit.
1822 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for heating a treatment region of tissue, said method comprising:
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introducing a bipolar surgical instrument having first and second jaws with first and second electrode members within the treatment region;
grasping tissue between the first and second jaws;
energizing the electrode members at a power level to deliver electrical energy to and heat tissue between the first and second electrode members; and
increasing the power level at a predetermined rate from an initial level, wherein the initial level and predetermined rate are selected to avoid creating a vapor layer and to permit an impedance increase to occur as a result of complete tissue desiccation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
a radio frequency generator; and
instructions setting forth the method of claim 1.
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16. A computer program embodied in a tangible medium, wherein the program sets forth a method according to claim 1.
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17. A radio frequency generator comprising:
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a radio frequency power source having a controlled voltage output and a bipolar connection for bipolar forceps having first and second jaws with first and second electrode members; and
means for automatically increasing power delivered to the bipolar forceps;
wherein the increasing means increases the power at a predetermined rate from an initial level, the initial level and predetermined rate avoiding formation of a vapor layer while permitting an impedance increase to occur as a result of complete tissue dessication. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification