Systems and methods for operating an electrosurgical generator

An electrosurgical generator, comprising:

• an RF output stage coupled to a power source, the RF output stage configured to generate electrosurgical energy from power provided by the power source for delivery to target tissue;
• a sensor configured to sense an impedance of the target tissue;
• and
• a controller configured to control the RF output stage to:
• generate electrosurgical energy in a first phase at a first power level until the sensed impedance of the target tissue is greater than a first threshold impedance;
• generate a plurality of pulses of electrosurgical energy in a second phase at a second power level, each pulse of the plurality of pulses being generated until the sensed impedance of the target tissue is greater than a second threshold impedance set for that pulse;
• and
• generate at least one high-voltage pulse in a third phase at a third power level for a predetermined duration to divide the target tissue.

A method for treating target tissue, the method comprising:

• delivering electrosurgical energy to the target tissue in a first phase at a first power level until a sensed tissue impedance of the target tissue is greater than a threshold target impedance;
• delivering a plurality of pulses of electrosurgical energy to the target tissue in a second phase at a second power level, each pulse being delivered until the sensed tissue impedance of the target tissue is greater than a threshold target impedance set for that pulse;
• and
• delivering at least one high voltage pulse to the target tissue in a third phase at a third power level for a pre-determined duration to divide the target tissue.

A method for controlling an electrosurgical generator, the method comprising:

• sensing an impedance of target tissue;
• generating electrosurgical energy in an impedance sense phase at an initial power level for a first duration to sense an initial tissue impedance of the target tissue;
• generating electrosurgical energy in a first phase at a first power level until the sensed impedance of the target tissue is greater than a first threshold impedance;
• and
• generating a plurality of pulses of electrosurgical energy in a second phase at a second power level, each pulse being generated until the sensed impedance of the target tissue is greater than a second threshold impedance set for that pulse.