Patent · US Expired

Electrosurgical generator

US4903696A · kind A · utility

551Cited by
6References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 6, 1988
Grant dateFeb 27, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 6, 2008

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/00875
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An electrosurgical generator for driving one or more separate electrosurgical implements, e.g., an electrosurgical scalpel and an electrosurgical forceps, over separate output channels. Bipolar electrodes on the scalpel blade are energized by a radio frequency (rf) power source which, by proper manipulation of push-button switches on the scalpel handle, can be made to operate selectively in a CUT and in a COAG (coagulate) mode. In the CUT mode, the rf energy is applied to the tissue, via electrodes which are closely spaced, yielding a high current density. In the COAG mode, the energy is applied to electrodes which are spaced relatively far apart so as to produce heating sufficient to cauterize, but not to the point where the tissue is rent. The generator also provides circuitry for energizing an ultrasonic transducer mechanically coupled to one of the surgical implements whereby vibratory energy is simultaneously applied to the implement along with the rf CUT/COAG energy. The drive to the transducer is amplitude modulated at a frequency which enhances resonance of the blade and handle containing the blade. A novel feedback control sense variations in load impedance and adjusts the…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.