RF energy console including method for vessel sealing

摘要

A RF energy console controls RF energy output from a RF generator for sealing blood vessels. The energy console includes a processor that executes routines and a controller feedback circuit that, in combination, control the RF generator. Operation includes a heating stage outputting a RF ramping voltage and determining a decrease in measured current to less than a predetermined % percentage of a maximum measured and stored current value to advance to a sealing stage. Then, the voltage is controlled to maintain an increasing change in impedance until a change in current value approaches a flat curve indicating seal completion, which stops the RF generator output. To reseal or enhance a blood vessel seal, the energy console executes the same routines as in the initial sealing operation.

主权项

1. A method of sealing at least one of a blood vessel and tissue by controlling electrosurgical energy provided by an electrosurgical radio frequency (RP) energy console to a handpiece comprising the steps of:
(1) in response to actuation by a user, executing a heating stage, the heating stage including (a) outputting and applying an increasing RF ramping voltage to the handpiece for heating fluid in the at least one of the blood vessel and the tissue; (b) measuring a current (Imeas) value for the electrosurgical RE energy console; (c) comparing the current (Imeas) value with a stored maximum current (Imax) value; (d) updating the stored maximum current (Imax) value to the current (Imeas) value and returning to step (b) when the current (Imeas) value is greater than the stored maximum current (Imax) value; (e) determining whether the current (Imeas) value is less than a single predetermined current decrease threshold percentage (%th) value of the stored maximum current (Imax) value and returning to step (b) when the current (Imeas) value is greater or equal to the single predetermined current decrease threshold percentage (%th) value of the stored maximum current (Imax) value; and (f) when the current (Imeas) value is less than the single predetermined current decrease threshold percentage (%th) value of the stored maximum current (Imax) value resulting from onset of boiling of the fluid in the at least one of the blood vessel and the tissue, advancing from the heating stage to a sealing stage; (2) the sealing stage including (a) outputting a sealing voltage from the electrosurgical RF energy console to the handpiece and (b) adjusting the sealing voltage to maintain an increasing essentially constant predetermined change of impedance (ΔZseal) value.