Systems and methods for controlling power in an electrosurgical generator
Inventors
MCHENRY, JENNIFER R. • Waskiewicz, Alexander M. • RICKE, ANTHONY D. • Coulson, Rebecca J. • Olson, Jessica E. C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12465416-B2
Publication Date
2025-11-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
The electrosurgical systems and corresponding methods of the present disclosure involve an electrosurgical generator, sensing circuitry, and a controller. The electrosurgical generator includes a radio frequency (RF) output stage that supplies power to tissue. The sensing circuitry measures impedance of tissue. The controller controls the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a nonlinear power curve until the power supplied from the RF output stage has reached a predetermined peak power of the nonlinear power curve. The controller further determines whether a tissue reaction has occurred based on impedance measured by the sensing circuitry and controls the power supplied from the RF output stage during a cooling phase if the controller determines that a tissue reaction has occurred. The controller may further control the power supplied from the RF output stage to track a linear power curve.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to electrosurgical generator control for supplying energy to electrosurgical forceps. The generator control architecture includes an RF output stage, impedance sensing circuitry, and a controller that supplies power according to a nonlinear power curve during a cook stage.
During the cook stage, tissue reaction is detected using impedance rise relative to a stored minimum impedance. When the controller detects tissue reaction, it exits the cook stage and applies a cooling/impedance-matching phase with reduced power.
The power curve is defined by power curve data configured as a nonlinear third-order polynomial, via coefficients, and includes a predetermined maximum power value that defines a transition point. After reaching the predetermined transition point, the controller switches to a linear power curve for the remainder of the power delivery.
The system configuration uses power curve data that is selected or configured for different instrument sizes and tissue conditions based on instrument identification information, including electrode/jaw size, using an identification module that stores power curve data.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim. It is centered on using identification-module-stored power curve data to control electrosurgical energy delivery with a nonlinear third-order polynomial and a predetermined maximum power transition point.
Electrosurgical forceps end effector with electrically-conductive sealing plates
An electrosurgical forceps includes an end effector with first and second jaw members, each having an electrically-conductive sealing plate, where at least one jaw member moves between an open position and a closed position to grasp tissue between the sealing plates.
Identification module storing power curve data with a non-linear third-order polynomial
An identification module stores power curve data for supplying energy to the electrosurgical forceps, where the power curve data includes a plurality of coefficients relating to a power curve modeled as a non-linear third-order polynomial.
Predetermined maximum power transition point in the power curve
The power curve data further includes a predetermined maximum power value that defines a transition point in the power curve.
Overall, the claim coverage ties electrosurgical energy delivery to an end-effector forceps configuration and to identification-module-stored power-curve parameters, specifically a non-linear third-order polynomial defined by coefficients and a predetermined maximum power value that defines a transition point.
Stated Advantages
Supports switching power delivery from a nonlinear third-order polynomial curve to a linear power curve at a predetermined transition point.
Detects tissue reaction using impedance rise relative to a stored minimum impedance and exits the cook stage.
Enables a cooling/impedance-matching phase with reduced power after tissue reaction detection.
Allows power curve configuration based on instrument electrode/jaw size using identification information stored by the identification module.
Documented Applications
Electrosurgical forceps energy delivery control during a cook stage, including transitioning to a cooling/impedance-matching phase based on detected tissue reaction using impedance rise relative to a stored minimum impedance.
Use of identification-module-stored power curve data to supply energy for different instrument sizes, including electrode/jaw size, during operation.
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