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US 2003/0199863 A1Published application
Systems and methods for controlling power in an electrosurgical probe
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsDavid K. Swanson, Robert Burnside, James G. Whayne, Dorin Panescu
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling the power supplied to an electrosurgical probe. The systems and methods may be used to monitor electrode-tissue contact, adjust power in response to a loss of contact, and apply power in such a manner that charring, coagulum formation and tissue popping are less likely to occur.
Claims28
An apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:
- a support element;
- at least one operative element on the support element;
- and
- a control system, operably connected to the operative element, and adapted to determine whether the operative element is in contact with tissue and whether tissue in proximity to the operative element is viable tissue or non-viable tissue.
1 more element
A method of coagulating tissue, comprising the steps of:
- attempting to place an operative element in at least close proximity to tissue;
- performing a first data sensing operation to determine whether the tissue is viable tissue or non-viable tissue;
- and
- performing a second data sensing operation to determine whether the operative element is in contact with the tissue.
1 more element
An apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:
- a support element;
- at least one tissue heating element on the support element;
- at least one temperature sensor on the support element;
- a source of tissue heating energy operably connected to the tissue heating element and adapted to supply energy at a first level suitable for tissue coagulation and at a second, non-zero level lower than the first level, the second level being suitable to heat tissue with a predetermined rate of temperature rise when the tissue heating element is in contact with the tissue;
- and
- a control system, operably connected to the at least one temperature sensor, and adapted to determine whether the tissue heating element is in contact with the tissue based on feedback from the temperature sensor.
3 more elements
A method of coagulating tissue, comprising the steps of:
- attempting to place a tissue heating element in contact with tissue;
- supplying the tissue heating element with energy at a first level insufficient to coagulate the tissue and sufficient to cause the tissue to rise to a predetermined temperature level when the tissue heating element is in contact with the tissue;
- sensing the temperature of the tissue;
- and
- determining whether the tissue heating element is in contact with tissue based on the sensed temperature of the tissue.
2 more elements
An apparatus for coagulating tissue, comprising:
- a support element;
- at least one electrode on the support element;
- a source of tissue coagulating energy operably connected to the electrode and adapted to supply energy at a first voltage suitable for tissue coagulation and at a second, non-zero voltage lower than the first voltage;
- and
- a control system, operably connected to energy source, and adapted to determine when there is a loss of contact between the at least one electrode and tissue and to reduce the voltage level from the first voltage to the second voltage in response to the loss of contact determination.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.