Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080234671 | ABLATION APPARATUS HAVING REDUCED NERVE STIMULATION AND RELATED METHODS - Apparatus and methods for reducing nerve stimulation in electrosurgical instruments utilizing electrically isolated pairs of electrodes are disclosed. At least two pairs of electrodes may be configured to create at least two opposing currents which effectively cancel one another such that a net current flow is inhibited from developing within surrounding tissue structures to mitigate or eliminate undesired electrical stimulation of the tissue. | 09-25-2008 |
20080234673 | MULTI-ELECTRODE INSTRUMENTS - Multi-electrode instruments and methods for applying electrical energy to the multiple electrodes are described. An assembly having at least two electrodes may be configured such that the electrodes are positioned at an angle relative to one another and/or are each configured to treat different tissue types. Moreover, power may be applied to one, some, or all of the electrodes utilizing various switching systems and/or electrical monitoring systems. | 09-25-2008 |
20090209956 | ABLATION PERFORMANCE INDICATOR FOR ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES - Ablation performance indicator for electrosurgical devices is described where ablation is typically characterized by the generation of a plasma discharge at the electrode assembly of an electrosurgical probe. When the electrode begins firing, the current waveform assumes a distinct appearance characterized by a spike at the leading edge of each half cycle followed by a lower level for the remaining period of the half cycle. A calculation of the waveform's Crest Factor can be used to determine the state at the electrode, e.g., whether the ablative energy is causing a desirable ablative effect on the electrode. This provides real-time measurements of the RMS and peak current amplitudes along with the Crest Factor and may also be used as limits or inputs to control algorithms or as inputs to indicate whether the device is in its ablative or non-ablative state. | 08-20-2009 |
20100042095 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SCREEN ELECTRODE SECUREMENT - Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient's body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical enagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like. | 02-18-2010 |
20100152724 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LIMITING JOINT TEMPERATURE - Joint temperature monitoring and control systems and methods are described herein in which the temperature of a fluid within a body or joint space is determined and/or monitored despite the energy generated during treatment by an ablation probe. One or more temperature sensors are positioned along the probe proximally of the electrode assembly and measure the temperature of an electrically conductive fluid without being overly influenced by the surgical effect occurring proximate the electrode assembly. The controller coupled to the probe can also be configured to set temperature limits and treatment times as well as moderating joint temperature by altering the electrically conductive fluid flow. | 06-17-2010 |
20100204690 | SINGLE APERTURE ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY - Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient's body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical enagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like. | 08-12-2010 |
20100228246 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL CONTROLLER WITH OUTPUT RF ENERGY CONTROL - An electrosurgical controller with output RF energy control. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical controllers configured to change a first output voltage on the first active terminal relative to the first return terminal by selective control of a number of turns of the primary winding of a transformer used to create the output voltage. | 09-09-2010 |
20100324549 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL CONTROLLER WITH WAVE-SHAPING - An electrosurgical controller with wave-shaping. At least some embodiments are methods including generating an alternating current (AC) voltage signal within an electrosurgical controller. The generating may be by inducing an intermediate AC voltage signal on a secondary winding of a first transformer, and wave-shaping the intermediate AC voltage signal by a second winding of a second transformer coupled to the first transformer, and thereby creating a final AC voltage signal. Thereafter, the method includes applying the final AC voltage signal to electrical pins of a connector configured to couple to an electrosurgical wand. | 12-23-2010 |
20110137308 | ELECTROSURGERY IRRIGATION PRIMER SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods are provided for priming or purging an electrosurgical fluid irrigation system. The electrosurgical system can include a high frequency power supply, a fluid delivery system, a handheld device having one or more electrodes, and one or more connectors for connecting the handheld device to the fluid delivery system and the RF generator. The electrosurgical system may be configured to deliver RF current and irrigation fluid until a threshold current level is detected, which is indicative of a continuous flow of fluid at the electrode and purging completion. The systems and methods of purging an electrosurgical system may further include dynamically controlling an RF output and fluid delivery system in accordance with varied parameters of detected threshold current levels. | 06-09-2011 |
20110245826 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF REDUCTION OF LOW FREQUENCY MUSCLE STIMULATION DURING ELECTROSURGICAL PROCEDURES - Reduction of low frequency muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: treating a target tissue with an electrosurgical wand comprising a plurality of active electrodes intermittently exposed to a rectifying electrical phenomenon; charging a first capacitance in series with a first electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon proximate the first electrode; charging a second capacitance in series with a second electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the second electrode; charging a third capacitance in series with a third electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the third electrode; and discharging, through the first electrode, the first capacitance, while simultaneously charging the second capacitance. | 10-06-2011 |
20110270242 | ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING ENHANCED TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT - Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein in which the temperature of a fluid within a body or joint space is determined and/or monitored despite the energy generated during treatment by an ablation probe. One or more temperature sensors are positioned along the probe proximally of the electrode assembly and measure the temperature of an electrically conductive fluid without being overly influenced by the surgical effect occurring proximate the electrode assembly. A controller automatically suspends energy delivery for one or more periods of time while the temperature is monitored. | 11-03-2011 |
20120296328 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL CONTROLLER WITH WAVE-SHAPING - An electrosurgical controller with wave-shaping. At least some embodiments are methods including generating an alternating current (AC) voltage signal within an electrosurgical controller. The generating may be by inducing an intermediate AC voltage signal on a secondary winding of a first transformer, and wave-shaping the intermediate AC voltage signal by a second winding of a second transformer coupled to the first transformer, and thereby creating a final AC voltage signal. Thereafter, the method includes applying the final AC voltage signal to electrical pins of a connector configured to couple to an electrosurgical wand. | 11-22-2012 |
20130116680 | ELECTROSURGERY IRRIGATION PRIMER SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Systems and methods are provided for priming or purging an electrosurgical fluid irrigation system. The electrosurgical system can include a high frequency power supply, a fluid delivery system, a handheld device having one or more electrodes, and one or more connectors for connecting the handheld device to the fluid delivery system and the RF generator. The electrosurgical system may be configured to deliver RF current and irrigation fluid until a threshold current level is detected, which is indicative of a continuous flow of fluid at the electrode and purging completion. The systems and methods of purging an electrosurgical system may further include dynamically controlling an RF output and fluid delivery system in accordance with varied parameters of detected threshold current levels. | 05-09-2013 |
20130116689 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LIMITING JOINT TEMPERATURE - Joint temperature monitoring and control systems and methods are described herein in which the temperature of a fluid within a body or joint space is determined and/or monitored despite the energy generated during treatment by an ablation probe. One or more temperature sensors are positioned along the probe proximally of the electrode assembly and measure the temperature of an electrically conductive fluid without being overly influenced by the surgical effect occurring proximate the electrode assembly. The controller coupled to the probe can also be configured to set temperature limits and treatment times as well as moderating joint temperature by altering the electrically conductive fluid flow. | 05-09-2013 |
20140025065 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AN ELECTROSURGICAL CONTROLLER WITH OUTPUT RF ENERGY CONTROL - An electrosurgical controller with output RF energy control. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are electrosurgical controllers configured to change a first output voltage on the first active terminal relative to the first return terminal by selective control of a number of turns of the primary winding of a transformer used to create the output voltage. | 01-23-2014 |
20140155883 | ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING ENHANCED TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT - Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein in which the temperature of a fluid within a body or joint space is determined and/or monitored despite the energy generated during treatment by an ablation probe. One or more temperature sensors are positioned along the probe proximally of the electrode assembly and measure the temperature of an electrically conductive fluid without being overly influenced by the surgical effect occurring proximate the electrode assembly. A controller automatically suspends energy delivery for one or more periods of time while the temperature is monitored. | 06-05-2014 |
20140155884 | ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD HAVING ENHANCED TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT - Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein in which the temperature of a fluid within a body or joint space is determined and/or monitored despite the energy generated during treatment by an ablation probe. One or more temperature sensors are positioned along the probe proximally of the electrode assembly and measure the temperature of an electrically conductive fluid without being overly influenced by the surgical effect occurring proximate the electrode assembly. A controller automatically suspends energy delivery for one or more periods of time while the temperature is monitored. | 06-05-2014 |
20140236141 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF REDUCTION OF LOW FREQUENCY MUSCLE STIMULATION DURING ELECTROSURGICAL PROCEDURES - Reduction of low frequency muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: treating a target tissue with an electrosurgical wand comprising a plurality of active electrodes intermittently exposed to a rectifying electrical phenomenon; charging a first capacitance in series with a first electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon proximate the first electrode; charging a second capacitance in series with a second electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the second electrode; charging a third capacitance in series with a third electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the third electrode; and discharging, through the first electrode, the first capacitance, while simultaneously charging the second capacitance. | 08-21-2014 |
20140236150 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SCREEN ELECTRODE SECUREMENT - Systems and methods for securing a screen-type active electrode to the distal tip of an electrosurgical device used for selectively applying electrical energy to a target location within or on a patient's body. A securing electrode is disposed through the screen electrode and mechanically joined to an insulative support body while also creating an electrical connection and mechanical enagement with the screen electrode. The electrosurgical device and related methods are provided for resecting, cutting, partially ablating, aspirating or otherwise removing tissue from a target site, and ablating the tissue in situ. The present methods and systems are particularly useful for removing tissue within joints, e.g., synovial tissue, meniscus, articular cartilage and the like. | 08-21-2014 |