Method and system for adjusting source impedance and maximizing output by rf generator

Method of controlling the operation of an RF generator disposed in a control console of an electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical RF probe having a memory device, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting the electrosurgical RE probe having the memory device to the control console, a processing device disposed in the control console for receiving probe-specific data stored in the memory device, the probe-specific data comprising a constant continuous coagulation voltage value, maximum continuous average voltage value and a constant cutting duty cycle value for operating the probe in a cutting operating mode, the processing device provided with a maximum instantaneous voltage value related to the maximum continuous average voltage value and a constant duty cycle value;
• selecting a coagulation operating mode or the cutting operating mode, wherein in the cutting operating mode the operator selects a continuous cutting mode or a modulated cutting mode, wherein in the modulated cutting mode the RE generator intermittently outputs to the RF probe an instantaneous voltage value that is no less than the maximum continuous average voltage value and no more than the maximum instantaneous voltage value, the constant cutting duty cycle value being defined as a percent value that is less than 100%, and wherein the instantaneous voltage value is applied to the probe during the constant cutting duty cycle value of a time period that is defined by the inverse of a first secondary frequency value, the intermittent application of the instantaneous voltage value enabling cutting of tissue, and wherein in the coagulation operating mode the RF generator outputs the constant continuous coagulation voltage value for obtaining a desired coagulation effect;
• and
• operating the electrosurgical system to coagulate or cut tissue at a surgical site.

An electrosurgical system, comprising:

• a control console having a processing device disposed therein;
• an electrosurgical probe that detachably connects to the control console;
• an RF generator for generating a voltage value for energizing the electrosurgical probe;
• and
• a memory device associated with the RF probe, the memory device storing probe-specific operating parameters including a cutting duty cycle value for a cutting mode,
• wherein the processing device obtains the probe-specific parameters from the memory device and after selection of the cutting mode, the processing device controls the RF generator to output an instantaneous voltage value for the constant cutting duty cycle portion of each time period defined by the inverse of a secondary frequency, wherein the instantaneous voltage value is intentionally greater than a maximum average voltage value.