Electrosurgical system
View Patent ↗An electrosurgical generator arranged to supply radio frequency (RF) energy to fuse tissue is provided. The generator is arranged to supply RF energy through a removably coupled electrosurgical instrument to fuse tissue grasped by the instrument. The generator monitors a phase angle of the supplied RF energy and adjusts or terminates the supplied RF energy based on the monitored phase angle in comparison to predetermined thresholds and conditions to optimally fuse the tissue. The electrosurgical instrument conducts radio frequency energy to fuse tissue captured between the jaws and a blade to mechanically cut tissue between the jaws. A conductive post positioned on the jaw adjacent to the blade.
1. An electrosurgical system comprising:
an electrosurgical instrument arranged to grasp and fuse tissue using radio frequency (RF) energy; and
an electrosurgical generator connectable to the electrosurgical instrument and configured to supply the RF energy through the electrosurgical instrument, the generator comprising:
an RF amplifier to supply RF energy through the electrosurgical instrument; and
a controller arranged to monitor a phase angle of the supplied RF energy, the controller being configured to signal the RF amplifier to adjust voltage of the supplied RF energy when the monitored phase angle is equal to a predefined phase value, wherein the predefined phase value is zero degrees.
2. The electrosurgical system of claim 1 wherein an adjustment of voltage by the RF amplifier comprises the RF amplifier decreasing the voltage of the supplied RF energy.
3. The electrosurgical system of claim 1 wherein an adjustment of voltage by the RF amplifier comprises the RF amplifier setting the voltage of the supplied RF energy to a predetermined voltage.
4. The electrosurgical system of claim 3 wherein the controller is configured to determine a second predefined phase value based on and subsequent to the adjustment of voltage by the RF amplifier.
5. The electrosurgical system of claim 4 wherein the controller is configured to signal the RF amplifier to terminate the supply of RF energy when the monitored phase angle is less than the second predefined phase value.
6. An electrosurgical system comprising:
an electrosurgical instrument arranged to grasp and fuse tissue using radio frequency (RF) energy; and
an electrosurgical generator connectable to the electrosurgical instrument and configured to supply the RF energy through the electrosurgical instrument, the generator comprising:
an RF amplifier to supply RF energy through the electrosurgical instrument; and
a controller arranged to monitor a phase angle of the supplied RF energy, the controller configured to identify a first voltage of the supplied RF energy when the monitored phase angle starts decreasing.
7. The electrosurgical system of claim 6 wherein the controller is configured to determine a tissue size by comparing the identified first voltage to a predetermined voltage value.
8. The electrosurgical system of claim 7 wherein the controller is configured to determine a second predefined phase value using the determined tissue size.
9. The electrosurgical system of claim 6 wherein the controller is configured to determine a second predefined phase value using the identified first voltage.
10. The electrosurgical system of claim 9 wherein the controller is configured to signal the RF amplifier to terminate the supply of RF energy when the monitored phase angle is less than the second predefined phase value.
11. The electrosurgical system of claim 10 wherein the controller is configured to signal the RF amplifier to terminate the supply of RF energy when the monitored phase angle remains constant.
12. The electrosurgical system of claim 10 wherein the electrosurgical generator further comprises: an RF sense circuitry arranged to receive a supplied RF waveform from the supplied RF energy through the electrosurgical instrument; and a synchronous detector arranged to calculate real and imaginary voltage and current components of the supplied RF waveform.
13. The electrosurgical system of claim 10 wherein the electrosurgical instrument comprises:
a first jaw having a first electrode;
a second jaw coupled to the first jaw and having a second electrode facing the first electrode, the first and second electrodes arranged to conduct the supplied RF energy between the first and second electrodes and the first and second electrodes being made of the same conductive material;
an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the first and second jaws being pivotably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft; and
a conductive post incorporated into the second jaw and extending from the second jaw towards the first jaw, the conductive post being stationary and made of the same conductive material as the first and second electrodes.
14. The electrosurgical system of claim 13 wherein the conductive post has an upper portion extending from an upper surface of the second jaw and a lower portion encased in an insulated material in the second jaw, the insulated material separating the conductive post from conductive material in the second jaw and the conductive post being not connectable to conductive material extending from the elongate shaft.
15. The electrosurgical system of claim 14 wherein the conductive post is in a contacting relationship with the first jaw with the first and second jaws being in a closed position and the conductive post has an outer periphery confined within an outer periphery of the second jaw.
16. The electrosurgical system of claim 15 wherein the conductive post includes a plurality of conductive posts having varying heights and the plurality of conductive posts includes a distal most conductive post having a height greater than a height of a proximal most conductive post.
17. The electrosurgical system of claim 16 wherein the conductive post is non-adjustable and rigid.
18. The electrosurgical system of claim 17 wherein the electrosurgical generator is configured to supply RF energy only to the first and second electrodes and not to the conductive post.