Electrosurgical system and method having enhanced temperature measurement

摘要

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.

主权项

1. An electrosurgical system for treating tissue at a target site comprising:
an electrosurgical probe comprising a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, and an active electrode disposed near the distal end; a temperature sensor disposed near the electrosurgical probe distal end; a high frequency power supply coupled to the active electrode for delivery of a high frequency energy to said active electrode; and a controller in communication with the high frequency power supply, the controller operable to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor positioned in an electrically conductive fluid located at the target site, wherein the controller comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a program that when executed causes the processor to: command the high frequency power supply to deliver of the high frequency energy; command the high frequency power supply to automatically suspend delivery of the high frequency energy for a suspension period; monitor the temperature signal during the suspension period and determine a length of time of the suspension period, the suspension period defined as a length of time for a rate of change of the temperature signal to be less than a threshold value indicative of a stable temperature signal; and command the high frequency power supply to resume delivery of the high frequency energy at the end of the suspension period.