SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING THE ENERGY DELIVERED TO A PATIENT FOR ABLATION

摘要

This invention is a power control system and method that controls a power generator (50) to vary the duty cycle of a power output provided to a delivery instrument (10) for delivering that power to a site in a patient for ablation. The peak power can be raised and the duty cycle lowered to result in deeper lesions. A power output having a higher peak power for producing deeper lesions can be obtained by using a lower duty cycle having a longer "off" period in order to deliver more power to the ablation site without overheating the delivery instrument (10). The temperature of the delivery instrument is monitored, and the duty cycle is lowered when the temperature exceeds a predetermined maximum limit. After the instrument has cooled sufficiently, the duty cycle is then increased to its previous level.