Electrosurgical control system using tissue conductivity

A control system in combination with an electrosurgical unit, comprising:

• a means for controlling current flow;
• an output electrode and a return electrode;
• a means for distinguishing between different tissue types between said output electrode and said return electrode according to an electrical impedance presented by different tissue types betwen said output electrode and said return electrode;
• said output electrode being adapted to penetate into tissue;
• said means for distinguishing between different tissue types including a means for measuring electrical impedance between said output electrode and said return electrode, and a means for comparing said electrical impedance with predetermined values for said electrical impedance;
• said predetermined values corresponding to at least two different impedances;
• and
• said means for comparing producing an output signal based upon comparison of said electrical impedance with said predetermined values of impedance;
• said means for measuring including a current sensing mechanism, including a current probe, said current probe being coupled with an output cable of an electrosurgical unit, said current sensing mechanism producing a signal with an amplitude that is proportional to impedances which occur due to different loads between said two electrodes;
• whereby penetration of said output electrode into one of said at least two tissue types corresponds to one of said predetermined values of impedance, and penetration of said output electrode into another one of said at least two tissue types corresponds to another one of said predetermined values of impedance.