Electrosurgical system and method having enhanced temperature measurement
AssigneeArthroCare Corporation
InventorDuane W. Marion
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein in which the temperature of a fluid within a body or joint space is determined and/or monitored despite the energy generated during treatment by an ablation probe. One or more temperature sensors are positioned along the probe proximally of the electrode assembly and measure the temperature of an electrically conductive fluid without being overly influenced by the surgical effect occurring proximate the electrode assembly. A controller automatically suspends energy delivery for one or more periods of time while the temperature is monitored.
Claims17
An electrosurgical system for treating tissue at a target site with an electrosurgical probe, the probe comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, an active electrode terminal disposed near the distal end, said system comprising:
- a high frequency power supply for delivery of high frequency energy to said active electrode terminal, the high frequency power supply coupled to the active electrode terminal and a return electrode;
- a controller for receiving a temperature signal from a temperature sensor positioned in an electrically conductive fluid located at the target site and wherein the electrically conductive fluid provides a current path between the active electrode terminal and the return electrode and wherein the controller is operable to automatically suspend delivery of the high frequency energy to said active electrode terminal for at least one suspension period, and said controller further being operable to monitor the temperature signal during the at least one suspension period and wherein said controller is adapted to determine a measured temperature of said electrically conductive fluid located at the target site based on said temperature signal being monitored.
An electrosurgical system for treating tissue at a target site with an electrosurgical probe, the probe comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, an active electrode terminal disposed near the distal end, said system comprising:
- a high frequency power supply for delivery of high frequency energy to said active electrode terminal, the high frequency power supply coupled to the active electrode terminal and a return electrode;
- a controller for receiving a temperature signal from a temperature sensor positioned in an electrically conductive fluid located at the target site and wherein the electrically conductive fluid provides a current path between the active electrode terminal and the return electrode and wherein the controller is operable to automatically modify delivery of the high frequency energy to said active electrode terminal for at least one temperature-monitoring period, and said controller further being operable to monitor the temperature signal during the at least one temperature-monitoring period and wherein said controller is adapted to determine a measured temperature of said electrically conductive fluid located at the target site based on said temperature signal being monitored during said temperature-monitoring period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.