Abstract:
This invention is an improved method and apparatus for tissue electrical impedance determination and electrical power control in a surgical device. In an embodiment of the invention an apparatus for controlling power delivery in an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed. The electro-surgical instrument includes a first channel and a second channel for delivery of energy to a surgical site. The apparatus includes: a switch, a measuring unit, a processor and a drive unit. The switch electrically isolates the second channel during a first measurement interval and the first channel during a second measurement interval. The measuring unit is coupled to the first and the second channel. The measurement unit measures a first power level of the first channel during a first measurement interval and a second power level of the second channel during a second measurement interval. The processor is coupled to the measuring unit and to the switch. The processor adjusts the first power level and the second power level to minimize a difference between a measured value of a control parameter and a target value of the control parameter. The drive unit is controlled by the processor. The drive unit delivers the adjusted first and second power levels to the surgical site via respectively the first channel and the second channel during a heating interval. In an alternate embodiment of the invention a method for controlling power delivery in an electro-surgical instrument is disclosed.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus is disclosed for delivering controlled heat to perform ablation to treat the benign prosthetic hypertrophy or hyperplasia (BPH). According to the method and the apparatus, the energy is transferred directly into the tissue mass which is to be treated in such a manner as to provide tissue ablation without damage to surrounding tissues. Automatic shut-off occurs when any one of a number of surrounding areas to include the urethra or surrounding mass or the adjacent organs exceed predetermined safe temperature limits. The constant application of the radio frequency energy over a maintained determined time provides a safe procedure which avoids electrosurgical and other invasive operations while providing fast relief to BPH with a short recovery time. The procedure may be accomplished in a doctor's office without the need for hospitalization or surgery.
Abstract:
An ablation apparatus has an expandable member that is inserted into an organ of a body and ablates all or a selected portion of the inner layer of the organ. Electrolytic solution fills the expandable member, and the expandable member includes a plurality of apertures from which electrolytic solution flows from the expandable member. First and second fluid conduits, which can be first and second conforming members, are in a surrounding relationship to the expandable member. The second conforming member, including a conductive surface, is made of a material that provides substantial conformity between the conductive surface and a shape of the inner layer of the organ. A plurality of electrodes is positioned between the two conforming members. The expandable member serves as an insulator to RF energy. Each electrode includes an insulator formed on a surface of the electrode positioned adjacent to the second conforming member. The combination of sandwiching the electrodes between the two conforming members, and the use of two insulators, one on the electrode and the other on the expandable member, provides selectable ablation of the inner layer of the organ. A feedback device is included and is responsive to a detected characteristic of the inner layer. The feedback device provides a controlled delivery of RF energy to the electrodes.
Abstract:
A photometer having a plurality of input fibers to its optical entrance, at least one of which is for transmission of calibration light and at least one of which is for transmission of sample light. The exit ends of these fibers are aligned into a linear array, thereby producing an effective entrance slit for the optical entrance of the photometer. The fiber(s) for calibration light are positioned at the center of the linear array to avoid miscalibration due to photometer astigmatism.
Abstract:
Apparatus and a method for providing measurements of the diffuse transmittance or reflectance of a sheet at a set of points arranged along a pattern line on the sheet. In accordance with the invention, the sheet, such as a photographic film, is moved with respect to a cylinder with a slot cut in its wall parallel to its central axis. A beam of radiation is swept parallel to the slot and into the cylinder after scanning along a line on the sheet. The inner wall surface of the cylinder is coated with a high reflectance material so that a fraction of the directly transmitted and scattered radiation in the cylinder enters one or more electronic radiation detectors coupled to the cylinder. The fraction of the radiation measured depends on the position along the slot of the radiation beam, and the data are corrected by dividing the measurement at each point by the measured radiation at that point when no object is in the beam. Several embodiments of the cylinder are disclosed.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the field of electrosurgery, and more particularly to systems and methods for ablating, cauterizing and/or coagulating body tissue using radio frequency energy. More in particular, the systems utilize voltage threshold means for controlling the voltage applied to tissue in a cycle-to-cycle manner.
Abstract:
An embodiment of the invention includes an electrosurgical jaw structure that carries cooperating PTC bodies in both series and parallel circuit components for controlled RF energy application to engaged tissue to effectively weld tissue.
Abstract:
An RF treatment apparatus includes a catheter with a catheter lumen. A removable needle electrode is positioned in the catheter lumen in a fixed relationship to the catheter. The needle electrode includes a needle lumen and a needle electrode distal end. A removable introducer is slidably positioned in the needle lumen. The introducer includes an introducer distal end. A first sensor is positioned on a surface of the needle electrode or the insulator. An RF power source is coupled to the needle electrode and a return electrode. An insulator sleeve is slidably positioned around the electrode and includes a second sensor. Resources are associated with the electrodes, sensors as well as the RF power source for maintaining a selected power at the electrode independent of changes in current or voltage.
Abstract:
An RF treatment apparatus includes a catheter with a catheter lumen. A removable needle electrode is positioned in the catheter lumen in a fixed relationship to the catheter. The needle electrode includes a needle lumen and a needle electrode distal end. A removable introducer is slidably positioned in the needle lumen. The introducer includes an introducer distal end. A first sensor is positioned on a surface of the needle electrode or the insulator. An RF power source is coupled to the needle electrode and a return electrode. An insulator sleeve is slidably positioned around the electrode and includes a second sensor. Resources are associated with the electrodes, sensors as well as the RF power source for maintaining a selected power at the electrode independent of changes in current or voltage.
Abstract:
An RF treatment apparatus includes a catheter with a catheter lumen. A removable needle electrode is positioned in the catheter lumen in a fixed relationship to the catheter. The needle electrode includes a needle lumen and a needle electrode distal end. A removable introducer is slidably positioned in the needle lumen. The introducer includes an introducer distal end. A first sensor is positioned on a surface of the needle electrode or the insulator. An RF power source is coupled to the needle electrode and a return electrode. An insulator sleeve is slidably positioned around the electrode and includes a second sensor. Resources are associated with the electrodes, sensors as well as the RF power source for maintaining a selected power at the electrode independent of changes in current or voltage.