Combined Bipolar and Monopolar Electrosurgical Instrument and Method
An electrical switching system for use in various types of electrosurgical instruments and related tools comprises a system adapted to automatically determine which of at least two electrical current modes to deliver through an electrosurgical instrument based on a condition sensed by the electrosurgical instrument. In another embodiment, the electrical switching system comprises a generator, the generator including a first electrical distribution systems for delivering monopolar electrical energy, and a second electrical distribution system for delivering bipolar electrical energy, a controller coupled to the generator for selecting based on an input which of the first and second electrical distribution systems to activate.
1 . A electrical switching system for selectively delivering either bipolar or monopolar electrical energy through a surgical instrument, comprising:
a generator, the generator comprising a first electrical distribution system for delivering monopolar electrical energy, and a second electrical distribution system for delivering bipolar electrical energy;
a controller coupled to the generator, for selecting based on an electrical condition at a tine of a surgical instrument, which of the first and second electrical distribution systems to activate, the electrical condition indicating a mode of operation of the surgical instrument, the controller comprising:
a first pair of relays actively coupled to-the first electrical distribution system;
a second pair of relays actively coupled to-the second electrical distribution system;
a switch for selecting either the first electrical distribution system or the second electrical distribution system; and
a keying circuit coupled to the switch for selectively engaging either the first or second electrical distribution systems.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the keying circuit comprises:
an isolator for segregating the monopolar electrical energy from the bipolar electrical energy; and
control logic for determining which of the first and second electrical distribution systems to activate.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the generator and the controller are distinct units.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the generator and the controller are within a single unit.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a monitoring device coupled to the keying circuit for determining whether a fault condition exists in the surgical instrument.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the monitoring device obtains a voltage reference in order to ascertain a phase comparison.
7 . An electrical connection system for selectively delivering one of a plurality of electrical energy modes through a surgical instrument, comprising:
a generator comprising a first electrical distribution system for delivering a electrical energy in a first mode, and a second electrical distribution system for delivering electrical energy in a second mode;
a controller coupled to the generator, for selecting based on an electrical condition at a tine of a surgical instrument, which of the first and second electrical distribution systems to activate, the electrical condition indicating a mode of operation of the surgical instrument, the controller comprising:
a first pair of relays electrically coupled to the first electrical distribution system;
a second pair of relays electrically coupled to the second electrical distribution system;
a switch for selecting either the first electrical distribution system or the second electrical distribution system;
a keying circuit coupled to the switch for selectively engaging either the first or second electrical distribution systems based on the mode of operation of the surgical instrument;
a third set of relays coupled to the first and second set of relays; and
an impedance sensing circuit coupled to and disposed between the keying circuit and the third set of relays.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the keying circuit comprises:
an isolator for segregating the first electrical energy mode from the second electrical energy mode; and
control logic for determining which of the first and second electrical distribution systems to activate.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the impedance sensing circuit is coupled to the control logic.
10 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the generator and the controller are distinct units.
11 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the generator and the controller are within a single unit.
12 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising a monitoring device coupled to the keying circuit for determining whether a fault condition exists in the surgical instrument.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the monitoring device is an active electrode monitoring device.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the monitoring device obtains a voltage reference in order to ascertain a phase comparison.
15 . The system of claim 7 , further comprising a second switch for activating or deactivating the flow of electrical energy from the generator to the surgical instrument.
16 . The system of claim 7 , wherein one of the first and second sets of relays are selected from the group consisting of high voltage reed relays, field effect transistor relays, and solid state relays.
17 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the impedance sensing circuit senses a property associated with the surgical instrument and instructs the controller to select either the first or second electrical distribution systems based on the property associated with the electrosurgical instrument.
18 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of electrical energy modes comprises bipolar electrical energy and monopolar electrical energy.
19 . A method of selectively delivering bipolar or monopolar electrical current through a surgical instrument, comprising:
sensing an electrical condition at a tine of the surgical instrument, the electrical condition indicating a mode of operation of the surgical instrument;
selecting, based on the electrical condition, whether to deliver the bipolar or monopolar electrical current through the surgical instrument; and
providing instructions to an electrosurgical generator to deliver the selected bipolar or monopolar electrical current through the surgical instrument.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the electrical condition is impedance.