Method and system for continuity testing of medical electrodes
First Claim
1. A continuity test circuit assembly for testing electrical continuity between an electrosurgical generator generating electrosurgical energy and an electrode of at least one electrode of an electrosurgical instrument for receiving the electrosurgical energy and delivering the electrosurgical energy to tissue, the continuity test circuit assembly comprising:
- a first conductor coupling the electrode to the electrosurgical generator;
at least one second conductor in electrical communication with a test power source and with the electrode for forming a test path, said test power source configured to selectively provide electrical test energy;
energy detection circuitry positioned along the test path for detecting a flow of the test energy through the test path for determining continuity status;
switching circuitry positioned along the test path for selectively closing or opening the test path for enabling the flow of the test energy through the test path;
a control module configured to activate the switching circuitry to control the flow of the test energy through the test path; and
a detector which detects at least one predetermined condition, and wherein the control module generates a signal to automatically activate the switching circuitry upon detection of the at least one predetermined condition by the detector such that the switching circuitry opens or closes the test path upon activation by the signal generated by the control module.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical generator is provided which includes a continuity test circuit assembly for testing electrical continuity through an electrode of an electrosurgical instrument. The continuity test circuit assembly includes a test power source providing electrical test energy to a first conductor which is in electrical communication with the electrode and the electrosurgical generator and to at least one second conductor which is coupled to the first conductor for providing a path for current to flow between the first conductor and the at least one second conductor for establishing a test path through which the test energy flows between the first conductor and at least one conductor of the at least one second conductor. The continuity test circuit assembly further includes energy detection circuitry positioned along the test path for detecting the flow of the test energy through the test path for determining electrical continuity through the electrode.
819 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A continuity test circuit assembly for testing electrical continuity between an electrosurgical generator generating electrosurgical energy and an electrode of at least one electrode of an electrosurgical instrument for receiving the electrosurgical energy and delivering the electrosurgical energy to tissue, the continuity test circuit assembly comprising:
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a first conductor coupling the electrode to the electrosurgical generator; at least one second conductor in electrical communication with a test power source and with the electrode for forming a test path, said test power source configured to selectively provide electrical test energy; energy detection circuitry positioned along the test path for detecting a flow of the test energy through the test path for determining continuity status; switching circuitry positioned along the test path for selectively closing or opening the test path for enabling the flow of the test energy through the test path; a control module configured to activate the switching circuitry to control the flow of the test energy through the test path; and a detector which detects at least one predetermined condition, and wherein the control module generates a signal to automatically activate the switching circuitry upon detection of the at least one predetermined condition by the detector such that the switching circuitry opens or closes the test path upon activation by the signal generated by the control module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electrosurgical generator for generating electrosurgical energy which is provided to an electrosurgical instrument having at least one electrode for delivery of the electrosurgical energy to tissue, the electrosurgical generator comprising:
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a continuity test circuit assembly for testing electrical continuity between the electrosurgical generator and an electrode of the at least one electrode of the electrosurgical instrument, the continuity test circuit assembly comprising; a test power source configured to selectively provide electrical test energy to a first conductor which is in electrical communication with the electrode and the electrosurgical generator and to at least one second conductor which is coupled to the first conductor for providing a path for current to flow between the first conductor and the at least one second conductor for establishing a test path through which the test energy flows between the first conductor and at least one conductor of the at least one second conductor; energy detection circuitry positioned along the test path that detects a flow of the test energy through the test path for determining electrical continuity through the electrode; switching circuitry positioned along the test path that selectively opens or closes the test path thereby controlling the flow of test energy through the test path; and a control module that generates a signal to control the switching circuitry for automatically controlling flow of the test energy through the test path upon detection of at least one predetermined condition such that the signal generated by the control module causes the switching circuitry to open or close the test path. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification