Patent · US Expired

Automatic activation of electrosurgical generator bipolar output

US6203541A · kind A · utility

242Cited by
12References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 23, 1999
Grant dateMar 20, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 23, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2018/1273
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An automatic circuit that controls a surgical instrument having a pair of bipolar electrodes. The circuit comprises means for measuring the current between the pair of electrodes, an impedance detection circuit in electrical communication with the current measuring means, a comparator in electrical communication with the impedance detection circuit and a controller electrically connected to the comparator. The impedance detection circuit calculates the impedance between the electrodes based on the measured current and generates a first signal indicative of the calculated impedance. The comparator processes the first signal and generates an activation signal if the calculated impedance falls within a predetermined range of impedance values and generates a deactivation signal if the calculated impedance exceeds a deactivation threshold. The controller receives the activation and deactivation signals and transmits a first control signal to a radiofrequency energy output stage to activate the electrodes in response to the activation signal and transmits a second control signal to the radiofrequency output stage to deactivate the electrodes in response to the deactivation signal.

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