Devices and methods for controlling initial movement of an electrosurgical electrode

A method for controlling the operation of a percutaneously-placed electrosurgical electrode of an electrosurgical device comprising:

• delivering energy to a percutaneously-placed electrosurgical electrode to create an arc thereat while moving said electrode;
• monitoring an electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode;
• and
• adjusting the energy delivered to the electrosurgical electrode based upon the monitoring step so to at least help maintain an effective arc.

A method for controlling the operation of a percutaneously-placed electrosurgical electrode of an electrosurgical device comprising:

• delivering energy to a percutaneously-placed electrosurgical electrode to create an arc thereat while moving said electrode along a predetermined path;
• monitoring an electrical characteristic associated with the electrosurgical electrode;
• monitoring an expected position of said electrode along said predetermined path;
• and
• adjusting the energy delivered to the electrosurgical electrode based upon the electrical characteristic and expected position monitoring steps so to at least help maintain an effective arc.

An electrosurgical assembly comprising:

• a cutting device comprising a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and an electrode carried by the distal end of the catheter;
• a controller connected to the cutting device;
• a data acquisition system connected to the controller, wherein the data acquisition system is capable of monitoring voltage and current output;
• a microprocessor connected to the data acquisition system for processing voltage and current data from the data acquisition system;
• and
• an electrosurgical generator connected to the data acquisition system,
• wherein the controller initiates movement of the electrode upon arc initiation at the electrode.

An electrosurgical assembly comprising:

• a cutting device comprising a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and an electrode carried by the distal end of the catheter;
• a controller connected to the cutting device;
• a data acquisition system connected to the controller, wherein the data acquisition system is capable of monitoring voltage and current output;
• an arc detection cable connecting the data acquisition system to the controller;
• and
• an electrosurgical generator connected to the data acquisition system,
• wherein the controller initiates movement of the electrode upon arc initiation at the electrode.

An electrosurgical assembly comprising:

• a cutting device comprising a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, and an electrode carried by the distal end of the catheter;
• a control unit connected to the cutting device comprising
• an electrosurgical generator connected to the cutting device;
• a data acquisition system connected to the electrosurgical generator, wherein the data acquisition system is capable of monitoring the RF voltage and current output;
• a microprocessor connected to the data acquisition system for collecting the voltage and current data from the data acquisition system;
• and
• a controller connected to the data acquisition system, wherein the controller initiates movement of the electrode upon arc initiation at the electrode.