Redundant temperature monitoring in electrosurgical systems for safety mitigation
First Claim
1. A temperature monitoring circuit for use with a power source comprising:
- at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature at a measuring point;
a first temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a first temperature value;
a second temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a second temperature value; and
a control circuit configured to receive the first and second temperature values and programmed to determine a difference between the first and second temperature values when compared to each other and programmed to compare the difference to a first predetermined threshold,wherein the control circuit is configured to control the overall function of the power source.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A redundant temperature monitoring system and method for an electrosurgical system are provided. The temperature monitoring circuit includes at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature at a measuring point, a first temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a first temperature value, a second temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a second temperature value, and a control circuit for determining a difference between the first and second temperature values and for comparing the difference to a first predetermined threshold. If the difference is greater than the first predetermined threshold, the control circuit generates a warning signal. If the difference is greater than a second predetermined threshold, the control circuit generates an alarm signal and/or shuts down a power source of the electrosurgical system.
1452 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A temperature monitoring circuit for use with a power source comprising:
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at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature at a measuring point; a first temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a first temperature value; a second temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a second temperature value; and a control circuit configured to receive the first and second temperature values and programmed to determine a difference between the first and second temperature values when compared to each other and programmed to compare the difference to a first predetermined threshold, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the overall function of the power source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An electrosurgical generator comprising:
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a radio frequency (RF) output circuit for outputting RF energy; a control circuit for controlling the output of the RF output circuit; and a temperature monitoring circuit comprising; at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature at a measuring point; a first temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a first temperature value; a second temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a second temperature value; and a control circuit configured to receive the first and second temperature values and programmed to determine a difference between the first and second temperature values when compared to each other and programmed to compare the difference to a first predetermined threshold, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the overall function of the electrosurgical generator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electrosurgical system comprising:
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an electrosurgical generator for outputting radio frequency (RF) energy; an electrosurgical instrument coupled to the electrosurgical generator for applying the RF energy to an operative site; and a temperature monitoring circuit comprising; at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature at a measuring point; a first temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a first temperature value; a second temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a second temperature value; and a control circuit configured to receive the first and second temperature values and programmed to determine a difference between the first and second temperature values when compared to each other and programmed to compare the difference to a first predetermined threshold, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the overall function of the electrosurgical generator. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for controlling an electrosurgical system, the method comprising the steps of:
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reading a first temperature value at an operative site via a first temperature circuit operably associated with an electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical generator; reading a second temperature value at the operative site via a second temperature circuit operably associated with the electrosurgical system; outputting the first and second temperature values to a control circuit operably associated with the electrosurgical system, the control circuit programmed to determine a difference between the first and second temperature values when compared to each other and programmed to compare the difference to a first predetermined threshold; determining a difference of the first and second temperature values via the control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to control the overall function of the electrosurgical generator; determining if the difference is greater than the first predetermined threshold, the first predetermined threshold indicative of a minimum allowable deviation between the first and second temperature values, wherein when the difference is greater than the first predetermined threshold, generating a warning signal. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification