Power supply and control apparatus and electrophysiology systems including the same

1. An apparatus for use with a probe including a plurality of probe energy transmission devices and a return device that is positionable in spaced relation to the probe, the apparatus comprising:

a power supply;

a power return line;

a return device connector associated with the power return line and configured to be connected to the return device;

a probe connector configured to be operably connected to the probe energy transmission devices; and

a controller operable in a combined bipolar/unipolar mode where the controller connects a first probe energy transmission device to the power supply and a second probe energy transmission device to the power return line such that a portion of power supplied to the first probe energy transmission device is returned to the power return line through the second probe energy transmission device and a portion of power supplied to the first probe energy transmission device is also returned to the power return line through the return device and the return device connector, monitors a tissue coagulation variable as power is supplied to the first probe energy transmission device, and disconnects the second probe energy transmission device from the power return line while maintaining the supply of power to the first probe energy transmission device in response to a measurement of a predetermined tissue coagulation variable value.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the predetermined tissue coagulation variable comprises temperature at the second probe energy transmission device.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller connects a third probe energy transmission device to the power supply in the combined bipolar/unipolar mode, the second probe energy transmission device being located between the first and third probe energy transmission devices, and disconnects the second probe energy transmission device from the power return line while maintaining the supply of power to the first and third energy transmission devices in response to the measurement of a predetermined tissue coagulation variable value.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller reconnects the second probe energy transmission device to the power return line in response to a change in the value of the predetermined tissue coagulation variable.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable in a bipolar mode different than the combined bipolar/unipolar mode where the controller connects the first probe energy transmission device to the power supply and the second probe energy transmission device to the power return line and all of the power that is returned to the power return line is returned through the second probe energy transmission device.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable in a unipolar mode different than the combined bipolar/unipolar mode where the controller connects the first probe energy transmission device to the power supply and all of the power that is returned to the power return line is returned through the return device connector.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller controls power supplied to the first probe energy transmission device based on temperature sensed at the first probe energy transmission device.

8. A method of coagulating tissue with an electrophysiology system that includes a power supply and control apparatus, a probe with a plurality of probe energy transmission devices, and a return device that is positionable in spaced relation to the probe, the method comprising the steps of:

transmitting energy from the power supply and control apparatus to the tissue with a first probe energy transmission device;

returning energy from the tissue to the power supply and control apparatus through a second probe energy transmission device;

returning energy from the tissue to the power supply and control apparatus through the return device;

measuring a tissue coagulation variable; and

interrupting the return of energy through the second probe energy transmission device, while continuing to transmit energy to the tissue with the first probe energy transmission device and return energy from the tissue with the return device, in response to a measurement of a predetermined tissue coagulation variable value.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the step of transmitting energy from the power supply and control apparatus comprises transmitting energy from the power supply and control apparatus to the tissue with a first probe energy transmission device and a third probe energy transmission device, the second probe energy transmission device being located between the first and third probe energy transmission devices.

10. A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the step of measuring a tissue coagulation variable comprises measuring temperature.

11. A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the step of measuring a tissue coagulation variable comprises measuring temperature at the second probe energy transmission device.

12. A method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the step of interrupting the return of energy through the second probe energy transmission device comprises interrupting the return of energy through the second probe energy transmission device with a switching device.

13. A method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising the step of: reinitiating the return of energy from the tissue to the power supply and control apparatus through the second probe energy transmission device in response to a change in the value of the predetermined tissue coagulation variable.

14. A method as claimed in claim 8 , further comprising the step of: controlling power to the first probe energy transmission device based on temperature measured at the first probe energy transmission device.

15. An apparatus for use with a probe including a plurality of probe energy transmission devices and a return device that is positionable in spaced relation to the probe, the apparatus comprising:

a power supply;

a power return line; and

control means for connecting a first probe energy transmission device to the power supply and a second probe energy transmission device to the power return line and operable in a combined bipolar/unipolar mode such that a portion of power supplied to first probe energy transmission device is returned to the power return line through the second probe energy transmission device and a portion of power supplied to the first probe energy transmission device is also returned to the power return line through the return device and the return device connector, monitoring a tissue coagulation variable as power is supplied to the first probe energy transmission device, and disconnecting the second probe energy transmission device from the power return line while maintaining the supply of power to the first probe energy transmission device in response to a measurement of a predetermined tissue coagulation variable value.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the predetermined tissue coagulation variable comprises temperature at the second energy transmission device.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the control means reinitiates the return of energy from the tissue to the power return line through the second probe energy transmission device in response to a change in the value of the predetermined tissue coagulation variable.

18. An apparatus for use with a probe including a plurality of probe energy transmission devices and a return device that is positionable in spaced relation to the probe, the apparatus comprising:

a power supply;

a power return line; and

a controller associated with the power supply and power return line, the controller being operable in a unipolar mode and a combined bipolar/unipolar mode and configured to switch from the combined bipolar/unipolar mode to the unipolar mode in response to a measurement of a predetermined tissue coagulation variable value.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the controller connects at least one probe energy transmission device to the power return line in the combined bipolar/unipolar mode and disconnects the at least one probe energy transmission device from the power return line in response to the measurement of a predetermined tissue coagulation variable value.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the predetermined tissue coagulation variable comprises temperature at a probe energy transmission device that is connected to the power return line.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the controller connects first and second probe energy transmission devices to the power supply and connects a third probe energy transmission device, located between the first and second probe energy transmission devices, to the power return line in the combined bipolar/unipolar mode.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 , wherein the controller controls power to the first and second probe energy transmission devices based on temperatures measured at the first and second probe energy transmission devices in the combined bipolar/unipolar mode.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 , wherein the controller disconnects the third probe energy transmission device from the power return line when the controller switches from the combined bipolar/unipolar mode to the unipolar mode.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to switch back to the combined bipolar/unipolar mode in response to a change in the value of the predetermined tissue coagulation variable.

25. A method of coagulating tissue with an electrophysiology system that includes a power supply and control apparatus, a probe with a plurality of probe energy transmission devices, and a return device that is positionable in spaced relation to the probe, the method comprising the steps of:

operating the system in a combined bipolar/unipolar mode; measuring a tissue coagulation variable; and

switching from the combined bipolar/unipolar mode to a unipolar mode in response to a measurement of a predetermined tissue coagulation variable value.

26. A method as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the step of operating the system in a combined bipolar/unipolar mode comprises connecting a first probe energy transmission devices to the power supply and connecting a second probe energy transmission device to the power return line.

27. A method as claimed in claim 26 , wherein the step of measuring a tissue coagulation variable comprises measuring temperature; and the step of switching from the combined bipolar/unipolar mode to a unipolar mode comprises switching from the combined bipolar/unipolar mode to a unipolar mode in response to a measurement of a predetermined temperature at the second probe energy transmission device.

28. A method as claimed in claim 25 , wherein the step of operating the system in a combined bipolar/unipolar mode comprises connecting first and second probe energy transmission devices to the power supply and connecting a third probe energy transmission device, located between the first and second probe energy transmission devices, to the power return line.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28 , wherein the step of measuring a tissue coagulation variable comprises measuring temperature; and the step of switching from the combined bipolar/unipolar mode to a unipolar mode comprises switching from the combined bipolar/unipolar mode to a unipolar mode in response to a measurement of a predetermined temperature at the third probe energy transmission device.

30. A method as claimed in claim 25 , further comprising the step of: switching back to the combined bipolar/unipolar mode in response to a change in the value of the predetermined tissue coagulation variable.

31. An apparatus for use with a probe operable in a combined bipolar/unipolar mode, the apparatus including a plurality of probe energy transmission devices and a return device that is positionable in spaced relation to the probe, the apparatus comprising:

a power supply;

a power return line;

a return device connector;

an uninterruptible connection between the power return line and the return line connector;

a probe connector operably connected to the power supply and associated with the probe that is operable in the combined bipolar/unipolar mode; and

an interruptible connection between the probe connector and the power return line.