Electrosurgical system with suction control apparatus, system and method
System and method for selectively applying electrical energy to structures within or on the surface of a patient's body and controlling the flow of an electrically conductive fluid from the application site to provide or maintain a desired operating condition of the electrosurgical device. An electrosurgical probe is in communication with a fluid transport apparatus through a fluid transport lumen having an opening at an end proximate the application site and disposed proximate the electrosurgical probe. A controller in communication with the fluid transport apparatus provides control signals to the fluid transport apparatus in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system. Based on the received control signals, the fluid transport apparatus adjusts a flow rate of the electrically conductive fluid at the application site through the fluid transport lumen in response to at least one operating parameter associated with the system.
1. An electrosurgical system comprising:
an electrosurgical controller including a processor;
a voltage generator operatively coupled to the processor, the voltage generator comprising an active terminal;
at least one sensor operatively coupled to the processor and configured to send output signals indicative of at least one operating parameter indicative of a condition of a plasma field or quality of the vapor layer formed at a tissue surface and associated with the system;
a fluid transport apparatus in communication with the processor;
wherein the electrosurgical controller is configured to control the fluid transport apparatus based on the sensor output signals.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the system comprises a wand connector configured to couple to a connector of an electrosurgical wand, the wand connector having at least one electrical pin electrically coupled to the active terminal of the voltage generator.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising an electrosurgical wand that may be selectively electrically coupled to the generator, the electrosurgical wand having a distal end including at least one active electrode and a fluid transport lumen having an opening proximate the active electrode.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the fluid transport lumen is operatively coupled to the fluid transport apparatus.
5. The system of claim 3 wherein the sensor is disposed within the electrosurgical wand.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is disposed within the voltage generator.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one operating parameter is indicative of an impedance of the system.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrosurgical controller is configured to control the fluid transport apparatus based on the sensor output signals so as to maintain a desired operating condition at a tissue treatment surface.
9. The system of claim 3 wherein the electrosurgical controller is configured to control the fluid transport apparatus based on the sensor output signals so as to maintain a desired operating condition adjacent the active electrode.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrosurgical controller is configured to control the fluid transport apparatus so as to control a fluid flow through a fluid transport lumen associated with the system.
11. An electrosurgical system comprising:
an electrosurgical controller including a processor;
a voltage generator operatively coupled to the processor, the voltage generator comprising an active terminal;
at least one sensor operatively coupled to the processor, the sensor configured to monitor at least one operating parameter indicative of an electrosurgical effect including a condition of a vapor layer created proximate a tissue surface;
a suction pump in communication with the processor;
wherein the electrosurgical controller is configured to control the suction pump based on output signals from the at least one sensor to maintain the electrosurgical effect.
12. The system of claim 11 further comprising an electrosurgical wand that may be selectively electrically coupled to the voltage generator, the electrosurgical wand having a distal end including at least one active electrode and a fluid transport lumen having an opening proximate the active electrode.
13. The system of claim 12 wherein the fluid transport lumen is operatively coupled to the suction pump.
14. The system of claim 12 wherein the sensor is associated with the electrosurgical wand.
15. The system of claim 11 wherein the sensor is associated with the voltage generator.
16. The system of claim 11 wherein the operating parameters are indicative of a condition of a plasma field or quality of the vapor layer created proximate a tissue treatment surface.
17. The system of claim 11 wherein the electrosurgical controller is configured to control the suction pump based on a value indicative of impedance of the system.