DEVICES AND METHODS FOR OPTICAL DETECTION OF TISSUE CONTACT
An electrosurgical system includes an energy applicator adapted to direct energy to tissue, an electrosurgical power generating source, and a surface-contact detection device. The surface-contact detection device is operably associated with the energy applicator. The surface-contact detection device is communicatively-coupled to the electrosurgical power generating source. The surface-contact detection device includes at least one optical transmitter to generate optical signals, a lens member configured to reflect optical signals generated by the optical transmitter when the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue, and at least one optical receiver to receive optical signals reflected by the lens member. The electrosurgical power generating source is adapted to transmit energy to the energy applicator when it is determined that the lens member is disposed in contact with tissue.
1 - 18 . (canceled)
19 . A method of delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising:
positioning an antenna assembly having a waveguide for delivery of energy to tissue, the waveguide having a plurality of dielectric layers disposed coaxially with a longitudinal axis defined by the waveguide;
generating a signal from a surface-contact detection device;
determining a position of the antenna assembly based on a response to the generated signal; and
delivering energy to tissue via the waveguide based on the determined position of the antenna assembly.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the plurality of dielectric layers are disposed within a cavity defined by an electrically conductive surface.
21 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein generating the signal includes generating an optical signal from the surface-contact detection device.
22 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein generating the signal includes generating an optical signal from the surface-contact detection device and the response to the signal is a reflection of the signal.
23 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein generating the signal includes generating an optical signal from an optical transmitter coupled to the surface-contact detection device.
24 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising:
generating an electrical signal based on the determined position of the antenna assembly; and
controlling the delivery of energy to tissue via the waveguide based on the generated electrical signal.
25 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein determining the position of the antenna assembly includes determining if the antenna assembly is disposed in contact with tissue.
26 . The method according to claim 25 , further comprising terminating the delivery of energy to tissue via the waveguide if the antenna assembly is not in contact with tissue.
27 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein the surface-contact detection device is coupled to the antenna assembly.
28 . The method according to claim 19 , wherein determining the position of the antenna assembly includes determining if a radiating portion of the antenna assembly is in contact with tissue.
29 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising impinging the signal generated by the surface-contact detection device on a lens.
30 . The method according to claim 29 , wherein the response to the generated signal is a reflection of the signal by the lens.
31 . A method of delivering electrosurgical energy to tissue, comprising:
positioning a waveguide for delivery of energy to tissue, the waveguide having an electrically conductive surface defining a cavity and a plurality of dielectric layers disposed coaxially with a longitudinal axis defined by the cavity;
determining a position of the waveguide based on a response to a signal generated by a surface-contact detection device; and
delivering energy to tissue via the waveguide based on the determined position of the waveguide.
32 . The method according to claim 31 , wherein generating the signal includes generating an optical signal from the surface-contact detection device.
33 . The method according to claim 31 , wherein generating the signal includes generating an optical signal from the surface-contact detection device and the response to the signal is a reflection of the signal.
34 . The method according to claim 31 , wherein generating the signal includes generating an optical signal from an optical transmitter coupled to the waveguide.
35 . The method according to claim 31 , further comprising:
generating an electrical signal based on the determined position of the waveguide; and
controlling the delivery of energy to tissue via the waveguide based on the generated electrical signal.
36 . The method according to claim 31 , wherein the surface-contact detection device is coupled to the waveguide.
37 . The method according to claim 31 , further comprising impinging the signal generated by the surface-contact detection device on a lens.
38 . The method according to claim 37 , wherein the response to the generated signal is based on a reflection of the signal by the lens.