A redundant temperature monitoring system and method for an electrosurgical system are provided. The temperature monitoring circuit includes at least one temperature sensor for sensing a temperature at a measuring point, a first temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a first temperature value, a second temperature measurement circuit coupled to the at least one temperature sensor for generating a second temperature value, and a control circuit for determining a difference between the first and second temperature values and for comparing the difference to a first predetermined threshold. If the difference is greater than the first predetermined threshold, the control circuit generates a warning signal. If the difference is greater than a second predetermined threshold, the control circuit generates an alarm signal and/or shuts down a power source of the electrosurgical system.

Redundant temperature monitoring in electrosurgical systems for safety mitigation

An ultrasonic surgical instrument is presented including an ultrasonic transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a handle member located at the proximal end of the transmission member. The ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes an end effector assembly located at the distal end of the transmission member. The end effector assembly includes a sensing mechanism for sensing load variations on tissue based on mechanical vibrations detected on one or more portions of the surgical instrument, the mechanical vibrations sensed by a laser interferometer.

Methods for ultrasonic tissue sensing and feedback

A system and method for heat ablation of tissue in which energy is sequentially applied to at least two electrodes inserted into tissue. The system is comprised of a radiofrequency (RF) source for supplying RF energy, at least two electrodes configured to apply RF energy to tissue, at least one return electrode for returning the RF energy to the RF source, and a controller configured to sequentially apply the RF energy to each of the at least two electrodes. The sequential delivery of energy is determined by the measured current and voltage, the calculated impedance at each of the electrodes and the timing for each electrode. An internal load may be activated with the previously activated channel and remain on until the next channel is activated to avoid the generator from having an open circuit.

Electrosurgical system employing multiple electrodes and method thereof

An electromagnetic surgical ablation probe having a conical hood reflector and method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The disclosed probe includes a shaft assembly that has a coaxial feedline core having an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by an insulating layer. A tubular catheter is disposed coaxially around the feedline and is configured to deliver coolant, such as saline or deionized water, to a coolant chamber at a distal end formed within the conical reflector. A radiating section disposed within the conical reflector may have a conical, cylindrical, or other suitable shape. A membrane disposed across a distal opening of the conical reflector seals coolant within the coolant chamber, and may conform to tissue contours during use. A resilient aperture may be included at the periphery of the conical hood. The shaft assembly may include an angled section, an adjustable section, and, additionally or alternatively, a malleable section.

Microwave surface ablation using conical probe

Disclosed is a system and method for enabling user preview and control of the size and shape of an electromagnetic energy field used in a surgical procedure. The disclosed system includes a selectively activatable source of microwave surgical energy in the range of about 900 mHz to about 5 gHz in operable communication with a graphical user interface and a database. The database is populated with data corresponding to the various surgical probes, such as microwave ablation antenna probes, that may include a probe identifier, the probe diameter, operational frequency of the probe, ablation length of the probe, ablation diameter of the probe, a temporal coefficient, a shape metric, and the like. The probe data is graphically presented on the graphical user interface where the surgeon may interactively view and select an appropriate surgical probe. Three-dimensional views of the probe(s) may be presented allowing the surgeon to interactively rotate the displayed image.

Microwave Ablation System with User-Controlled Ablation Size and Method of Use

Adhesive (I) consists of an ion-conducting, hydrophilic, pressure-sensitive, adhesive hydrogel (II) and a crosslinked poly(N-vinyllactam) (III). Pref., (III) is used in amt. giving low electrical impedance and ensuring adhesion and the cohesion of (II) when (I) is used in the presence of body fluids of the skin, which tend to soften (II). (II) consists of (a) partly neutralised acrylic acid homo- or copolymer, copoly(N-vinyl lactam) and a polyethylenically unsatd. cpd., copoly(N-vinyl lactam) and a carboxylic acid or an interpenetrating polymer network of a hydrophilic crosslinked polymer of a water-soluble monomer and a hydrophilic polymer, which is not crosslinked; (b) a source of moisture; and (c) water. USE/ADVANTAGE - (I) is claimed for use in electrodes, i.e., bio-electrodes, which are attached to skin of a nipple and connected to diagnostic, therapeutic or electro-surgical instruments. It has low impedance (claimed). It maintains its mechanical properties when water and moisture is absorbed from the skin.

Adhesive comprising hydrogel and crosslinked polyvinyl:lactam - is used in electrodes for biomedical application providing low impedance and good mechanical properties when water and/or moisture is absorbed from skin

The present invention discloses a low impedance, water-absorbing, ionically-conductive, hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprising an ionically-conductive, hydrophilic, pressure sensitive adhesive hydrogel and crosslinked poly(N-vinyl lactam) in an amount sufficient to retain low electrical impedance and maintain hydrogel adhesion and cohesion during use of the composition in the presence of water and other moisture tending to plasticize the hydrogel. Crosslinked homopolymers and copolymers of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) having Swelling Capacity of at least 15 milliliters of water per gram of poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone) are preferred. Adhesion values upon removal from mammalian skin after about four hours of adhesion are not greater than initial adhesion removal values, demonstrating ease of removal of electrodes of the present invention from skin.

Steven K. Itoh

Papers

Adhesive comprising hydrogel and crosslinked polyvinyl:lactam - is used in electrodes for biomedical application providing low impedance and good mechanical properties when water and/or moisture is absorbed from skin

Low impedance pressure sensitive adhesive composition and biomedical electrodes using same