Devices and techniques for cutting and coagulating tissue
Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions.
1. An ultrasonic surgical system for treating tissue, the system comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer;
an end effector coupled to the ultrasonic transducer;
a switch having a first position and a second position; and
a generator in communication with the switch and the ultrasonic transducer, wherein:
in the first switch position, the generator is configured to provide a continuous drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer; and
in the second switch position, the generator is configured to provide a pulsed drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a generator console, wherein the generator is positioned within the generator console;
a device housing, wherein the ultrasonic transducer and the switch are positioned at least partially within the device housing; and
a cable providing an electrical connection between the generator and the ultrasonic transducer.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the generator and the ultrasonic transducer are positioned within a common housing.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuous drive signal is at a power level less than a maximum power level for the system.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the pulsed drive signal is at a maximum power level for the system.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuous drive signal has a first power and the second pulsed drive signal has a second power higher than the first power.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein with respect to the pulsed drive signal, the generator is configured to provide:
a first pulse amplitude for a first pulse time; and
a second pulse amplitude for a second pulse time.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the generator is further configured to:
monitor the continuous drive signal against a first set of logic conditions; and
trigger a pulsing response when the first set of logic conditions is met, wherein with respect to the pulsing response, the generator is configured to provide:
a first pulse amplitude for a first pulse time; and
a second pulse amplitude for a second pulse time.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the end effector and the ultrasonic transducer are configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, and wherein with respect to the continuous drive signal, the generator is configured to:
set the continuous drive signal to a first frequency for a first time period, wherein the first frequency is different from the resonant frequency; and
after the first time period, set the continuous drive signal to the resonant frequency.
10. An ultrasonic surgical system for treating tissue, the system comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer;
an end effector coupled to the ultrasonic transducer;
a switch having a first position and a second position; and
a generator in communication with the switch and the ultrasonic transducer, wherein in the first switch position, the generator is configured to provide a continuous drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer and in the second switch position, the generator is configured to provide a pulsed drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer;
wherein with respect to the continuous drive signal, the generator is configured to provide:
a first current for a first interval;
a second current for a second interval after the first interval, wherein the second current is higher than the first current; and
a third current for a third interval after the second interval, wherein the third current is higher than the second current.
11. A surgical system for treating tissue, the system comprising:
an end effector for treating tissue;
a switch having a first position and a second position; and
a generator in communication with the switch, wherein the generator is configured to:
in the first switch position, provide a continuous drive signal to drive the end effector; and
in the second switch position, provide a pulsed drive signal to drive the end effector.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the continuous drive signal has a first power and the pulsed drive signal has a second power higher than the first power.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein with respect to the pulsed drive signal the generator is configured to provide:
a first pulse amplitude for a first pulse time; and
a second pulse amplitude for a second pulse time.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein the generator is further configured to:
determine that the pulsed drive signal meets a first set of logic conditions;
trigger a pulsing response in the pulsed drive signal when the first set of logic conditions is met, wherein the pulsing response comprises:
a first pulse amplitude for a first pulse time; and
a second pulse amplitude for a second pulse time.
15. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the end effector is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the end effector and the ultrasonic transducer are configured to resonate at a resonant frequency, and wherein with respect to the continuous drive signal, the generator is configured to:
set the continuous drive signal to a first frequency for a first time period, wherein the first frequency is different from the resonant frequency; and
after the first time period, set the continuous drive signal to the resonant frequency.
16. A surgical system for treating tissue, the system comprising:
an end effector for treating tissue;
a switch having a first position and a second position; and
a generator in communication with the switch, wherein the generator is configured to:
in the first switch position, provide a first drive signal to drive the end effector; and
in the second switch position, provide a second drive signal to drive the end effector;
wherein with respect to the first drive signal, the generator is configured to provide:
a first current for a first interval;
a second current for a second interval after the first interval, wherein the second current is higher than the first current; and
a third current for a third interval after the second interval, wherein the third current is higher than the second current.