US6398779B1 — Vessel sealing system

Claim 1

Independent Claim 102 words

A system for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising an electrosurgical generator comprising an RF energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of electrosurgical generator, said electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument comprising electrodes for coupling RF energy generated by said electrosurgical generator to tissue to be sealed; said system further comprising a circuit that is coupled to said output of said electrosurgical generator for protecting said output against an overvoltage condition, said circuit comprising a suppressor that detunes a tuned resonant circuit at said output for reducing a magnitude of a voltage appearing at said output.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 102 words

A system for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising an electrosurgical generator comprising an RF energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of electrosurgical generator, said electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument comprising electrodes for coupling RF energy generated by said electrosurgical generator to tissue to be sealed; said system further comprising a circuit that is coupled to said output of said electrosurgical generator for protecting said output against an overvoltage condition, said circuit comprising a suppressor that detunes a tuned resonant circuit at said output for reducing a magnitude of a voltage appearing at said output.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 39 words

A system as in claim 1 , wherein said circuit comprises a capacitance network in parallel with an inductance, and a voltage actuated switch for coupling an additional capacitance across said network upon an occurrence of an overvoltage condition.

Claim 4

Independent Claim 184 words

A system for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising an electrosurgical generator comprising an RF energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of the electrosurgical generator, said electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument comprising electrodes for coupling RF energy generated by said electrosurgical generator to tissue to be sealed; said controller being operable for causing said electrosurgical generator to apply an initial pulse of RF energy to the tissue and for measuring a value of an electrical characteristic of the tissue in response to the applied initial pulse, said controller being responsive to the measured electrical characteristic for determining an initial set of pulse parameters for a subsequent pulse and for then varying the pulse parameters of individual pulses of further subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with a change in the electrical characteristic; said system further comprising an operator-actuated seal intensity control, wherein said controller is coupled to an output of said seal intensity control and is responsive thereto, when determining said initial set of pulse parameters, for modifying predetermined ones of said initial set of pulse parameters.

Claim 5

Independent Claim 184 words

A system for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising an electrosurgical generator comprising an RF energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of the electrosurgical generator, said electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument comprising electrodes for coupling RF energy generated by said electrosurgical generator to tissue to be sealed; said controller being operable for causing said electrosurgical generator to apply an initial pulse of RF energy to the tissue and for measuring a value of an electrical characteristic of the tissue in response to the applied initial pulse, said controller being responsive to the measured electrical characteristic for determining an initial set of pulse parameters for a subsequent pulse and for then varying the pulse parameters of individual pulses of further subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with a change in the electrical characteristic; said system further comprising an operator-actuated seal intensity control, wherein said controller is coupled to an output of said seal intensity control and is responsive thereto, when determining said initial set of pulse parameters, for modifying predetermined ones of said initial set of pulse parameters.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 38 words

A system as in claim 3 , wherein said predetermined pulses of the pulse parameters that are modified comprise a pulse power, a pulse starting voltage level, a pulse voltage decay scale factor, and a pulse dwell time.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 142 words

A system for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising an electrosurgical generator comprising an RF energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of an electrosurgical generator, said electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument comprising electrodes for coupling RF energy generated by said electrosurgical generator to tissue to be sealed; said controller being operable for causing said electrosurgical generator to apply an initial pulse of RF energy to the tissue and for measuring a value of an electrical characteristic of the tissue in response to the applied initial pulse, said controller being responsive to the measured electrical characteristic for determining an initial set of pulse parameters for a subsequent pulse and for then varying the pulse parameters of individual pulses of further subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with a change in the electrical characteristic of the tissue.

Claim 8

Independent Claim 142 words

A system for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising an electrosurgical generator comprising an RF energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of an electrosurgical generator, said electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument comprising electrodes for coupling RF energy generated by said electrosurgical generator to tissue to be sealed; said controller being operable for causing said electrosurgical generator to apply an initial pulse of RF energy to the tissue and for measuring a value of an electrical characteristic of the tissue in response to the applied initial pulse, said controller being responsive to the measured electrical characteristic for determining an initial set of pulse parameters for a subsequent pulse and for then varying the pulse parameters of individual pulses of further subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with a change in the electrical characteristic of the tissue.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 17 words

A system as in claim 3 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of an electrical impedance.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 18 words

A system as in claim 3 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of a current-voltage phase angle.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 20 words

A system as in claim 5 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of a magnitude of an output current.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 69 words

A system as in claim 3 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of an electrical impedance, and wherein said controller varies the pulse parameters of individual pulses of the subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with a change in the electrical impedance as determined from at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs at the beginning of each individual pulse of the subsequent RF energy pulses.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 24 words

A system as in claim 9 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the electrical transient is a width of the electrical transient.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 26 words

A system as in claim 9 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the electrical transient is the rate of change of the electrical transient.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 28 words

A system as in claim 3 , wherein said initial set of pulse parameters comprise a magnitude of a starting power and a magnitude of a starting voltage.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as in claim 3 , wherein said pulse parameters that are varied comprise a pulse duty cycle and a pulse amplitude.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

A system as in claim 3 , wherein said subsequent RF energy pulses are each reduced in amplitude by a controlled amount from a previous RF energy pulse.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 61 words

A system as in claim 6 , and further comprising one of a plurality of pulse parameter lookup tables that is readably coupled to said controller, and wherein said controller, when determining said initial set of pulse parameters, uses said impedance value to readout said initial set of pulse parameters from said one of a plurality of pulse parameter lookup tables.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 33 words

A system as in claim 15 , wherein said one of a plurality of pulse parameter lookup tables is selected manually or automatically, based on a choice of an electrosurgical tool or instrument.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system as in claim 6 , wherein said controller is responsive to a control input from an operator for modifying any one of said pulse parameters.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 35 words

A system as in claim 17 , wherein said any one of said pulse parameters comprise a pulse power, a pulse starting voltage level, a pulse voltage decay scale factor, and a pulse dwell time.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 30 words

A system as in claim 10 , wherein said controller is responsive to a determination that said electrical transient is absent for terminating a generation of subsequent RF energy pulses.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 55 words

A system as in claim 3 , and further comprising a circuit that is coupled to said output of said electrosurgical generator for protecting said output against an overvoltage condition, said circuit comprising a suppressor that detunes a tuned resonant circuit at said output for reducing a magnitude of a voltage appearing at said output.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 39 words

A system as in claim 14 , wherein said circuit comprises a capacitance network in parallel with an inductance, and a voltage actuated switch for coupling an additional capacitance across said network upon an occurrence of an overvoltage condition.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 36 words

A system as in claim 20 , wherein the circuit for protecting said output against an overvoltage condition provides automatic detuning of the RF energy independent of the tissue response to the application of RF energy.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 69 words

A method for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising steps of: applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; and applying at least one subsequent RF energy pulse to the tissue and varying RF energy parameters of individual pulses of subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs at the beginning of individual pulses of the subsequent RF energy pulses.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 69 words

A method for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising steps of: applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; and applying at least one subsequent RF energy pulse to the tissue and varying RF energy parameters of individual pulses of subsequent RF energy pulses in accordance with at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs at the beginning of individual pulses of the subsequent RF energy pulses.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method as in claim 23 , wherein the step of applying the first pulse includes a step of selecting characteristics of the first pulse so as not to appreciably heat the tissue.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 49 words

A method as in claim 23 , wherein the step of applying the first pulse comprises steps of: measuring at least one characteristic of a response of the tissue to the applied first pulse; and in accordance with the measured characteristic, determining an initial set of RF energy parameters.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method as in claim 23 , wherein the electrical transient is an electric current transient.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method as in claim 26 , wherein the at least one characteristic of said electrical transient is a width of the electric current transient.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method as in claim 26 , wherein the at least one characteristic of said electrical transient is a rate of change of the electric current transient.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as in claim 25 , wherein the initial set of RF energy parameters comprise a magnitude of a starting power and a magnitude of a starting voltage.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 24 words

A method as in claim 23 , wherein the RF energy parameters that are varied comprise a pulse duty cycle and a pulse amplitude.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method as in claim 23 , wherein the subsequent RF energy pulses are each reduced in amplitude by a controlled amount from a previous RF energy pulse.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 74 words

A method as in claim 25 , wherein the at least one characteristic of the response of the tissue that is measured is a value of an electrical impedance of the tissue, and wherein the step of determining the initial set of RF energy parameters comprises a step of using the measured impedance value to readout the initial set of RF energy parameters from an entry in one of a plurality of lookup tables.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as in claim 32 , wherein said one of a plurality of lookup tables is selected manually or automatically, based on a choice of an electrosurgical tool or instrument.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method as in claim 23 , and further comprising a step of modifying predetermined pulses of the initial set of RF energy parameters in accordance with a control input from an operator.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 39 words

A method as in claim 33 , wherein the predetermined pulses of the RF energy parameters that are modified comprise a pulse power, a pulse starting voltage level, a pulse voltage decay scale factor, and a pulse dwell time.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method as in claim 1 , and further comprising a step of terminating a generation of subsequent RF energy pulses upon a determination that the current transient is absent.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 58 words

A method for electrosurgically desiccating tissue, comprising steps of: applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; measuring an electrical characteristic of the tissue in response to the applied first pulse of RF energy; and, in accordance with the measured electrical characteristic, determining an initial set of electrosurgical parameters for use during an electrosurgical desiccation procedure.

Claim 42

Independent Claim 58 words

A method for electrosurgically desiccating tissue, comprising steps of: applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; measuring an electrical characteristic of the tissue in response to the applied first pulse of RF energy; and, in accordance with the measured electrical characteristic, determining an initial set of electrosurgical parameters for use during an electrosurgical desiccation procedure.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method as in claim 37 , further comprising a step of subsequently applying at least one pulse of RF energy to the tissue for desiccating and sealing individual vessels and tissue bundles, in accordance with the measured tissue electrical characteristics.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as in claim 38 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of an electrical impedance.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as in claim 37 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of a current-voltage phase angle.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as in claim 37 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of a magnitude selected from the group of an output current, a voltage, and a power.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 50 words

A method as in claim 37 , wherein the initial set of electrosurgical parameters are comprised of power, a maximum voltage, a starting voltage, a voltage decay factor, a voltage ramp factor, a maximum RF on time, a pulse dwell time, a pulse off time, and a desired pulse width.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as in claim 42 , wherein the initial set of electrosurgical parameters are further comprised of a minimum voltage, a maximum cool scale factor, and a pulse width minimum.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method as in claim 38 , and further comprising a step of varying parameters of subsequently applied RF energy pulses in accordance with an observed electrical response of the tissue to the subsequent RF energy pulses.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method as in claim 38 , and further comprising a step of applying a subsequent RF energy pulse in accordance with at least one characteristic of an electrical transient that occurs at a beginning of the subsequent RF energy pulse.

Claim 51

Independent Claim 82 words

A method for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising steps of: applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue, the tissue being held between opposing jaws of a surgical instrument; and applying a plurality of subsequent RF energy pulses to the tissue while controllably decreasing an amplitude of individual ones of the subsequent RF energy pulses, the amplitude being controllably decreased in order to compensate for a decrease in distance between the opposing jaws due to a thermally-induced shrinkage of the tissue.

Claim 52

Independent Claim 82 words

A method for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising steps of: applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue, the tissue being held between opposing jaws of a surgical instrument; and applying a plurality of subsequent RF energy pulses to the tissue while controllably decreasing an amplitude of individual ones of the subsequent RF energy pulses, the amplitude being controllably decreased in order to compensate for a decrease in distance between the opposing jaws due to a thermally-induced shrinkage of the tissue.

Claim 53

Independent Claim 179 words

A method for electrosurgically desiccating tissue, comprising steps of: applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; measuring an electrical characteristic of the tissue in response to the applied first pulse of RF energy; in accordance with the measured electrical characteristic, determining an initial set of electrosurgical parameters for use during an electrosurgical desiccation procedure; applying at least one subsequent pulse of RF energy to the tissue for desiccating and sealing individual vessels and tissue bundles, in accordance with the measured tissue electrical characteristics; measuring the actual pulse width of the at least one subsequent pulse of RF energy applied; determining a fixed voltage reduction factor from the measured actual pulse width of the RF energy applied and the measured electrical characteristic of the tissue; determining a fixed number of additional pulses of RF energy to be applied, from the measured actual pulse width of the RF energy applied and the measured electrical characteristic of the tissue; and, applying said determined number of fixed pulses to the tissue, decreasing each subsequent pulse by the voltage reduction factor.

Claim 54

Independent Claim 179 words

A method for electrosurgically desiccating tissue, comprising steps of: applying a first pulse of RF energy to the tissue; measuring an electrical characteristic of the tissue in response to the applied first pulse of RF energy; in accordance with the measured electrical characteristic, determining an initial set of electrosurgical parameters for use during an electrosurgical desiccation procedure; applying at least one subsequent pulse of RF energy to the tissue for desiccating and sealing individual vessels and tissue bundles, in accordance with the measured tissue electrical characteristics; measuring the actual pulse width of the at least one subsequent pulse of RF energy applied; determining a fixed voltage reduction factor from the measured actual pulse width of the RF energy applied and the measured electrical characteristic of the tissue; determining a fixed number of additional pulses of RF energy to be applied, from the measured actual pulse width of the RF energy applied and the measured electrical characteristic of the tissue; and, applying said determined number of fixed pulses to the tissue, decreasing each subsequent pulse by the voltage reduction factor.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 17 words

A method as in claim 40 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of an electrical impedance.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method as in claim 40 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of a current-voltage phase angle.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as in claim 40 , wherein the electrical characteristic is comprised of a magnitude selected from the group of an output current, a voltage, and a power.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 50 words

A method as in claim 44 , wherein the initial set of electrosurgical parameters are comprised of power, a maximum voltage, a starting voltage, a voltage decay factor, a voltage ramp factor, a maximum RF on time, a pulse dwell time, a pulse off time, and a desired pulse width.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method as in claim 51 , wherein the initial set of electrosurgical parameters are further comprised of a minimum voltage, a maximum cool scale factor, and a pulse width minimum.

Claim 60

Independent Claim 138 words

A system for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising an electrosurgical generator comprising an RF energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of electrosurgical generator, said electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument comprising electrodes for coupling RF energy generated by said electrosurgical generator to tissue to be sealed; said controller being operable for causing said electrosurgical generator to apply an initial pulse of RF energy to the tissue that is adapted to be between opposing jaws of the surgical instrument, and for applying a plurality of subsequent RF energy pulses to the tissue while controllably decreasing an amplitude of individual pulses of the subsequent RF energy pulses, said controller controllably decreasing amplitude in order to compensate for a decrease in distance between the opposing jaws due to a thermally-induced shrinkage of the tissue.

Claim 61

Independent Claim 138 words

A system for electrosurgically sealing tissue, comprising an electrosurgical generator comprising an RF energy source and a controller for controlling the operation of electrosurgical generator, said electrosurgical generator having an output for coupling to a surgical instrument comprising electrodes for coupling RF energy generated by said electrosurgical generator to tissue to be sealed; said controller being operable for causing said electrosurgical generator to apply an initial pulse of RF energy to the tissue that is adapted to be between opposing jaws of the surgical instrument, and for applying a plurality of subsequent RF energy pulses to the tissue while controllably decreasing an amplitude of individual pulses of the subsequent RF energy pulses, said controller controllably decreasing amplitude in order to compensate for a decrease in distance between the opposing jaws due to a thermally-induced shrinkage of the tissue.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-06-03	2005-12-03	2006-06-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-06-03	2009-12-03	2010-06-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-06-03	2013-12-03	2014-06-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Vessel sealing system

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