Gyrus Medical Limited

Gyrus Group Plc

Coliin C O Goble

Scott T Latterell

Douglas S Wahnschaffe

Mark George Marshall

Kester J Batchelor

An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes and. The generator includes a radio frequency output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines, and a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage. A controller is operable to limit the radio frequency output voltage developed across the output lines to at least a first predetermined threshold value to produce a cutting RF waveform, and a second threshold value to produce a coagulating RF waveform. In a combined mode, the controller delivers both cutting and coagulating waveforms, either simultaneously or by alternating constantly between the first and second threshold values to form a blended signal. The system also includes means for feeding the waveform to the three or more electrodes such that the cutting RF waveform is delivered between a first pair of the electrodes, and the coagulating waveform is delivered between a second pair of the electrodes.

Electrosurgical generator and system

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue comprises first and second jaw members movable between open and closed positions so as to be capable of grasping tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes first and second coagulating electrodes on its inner surface, and an insulating member separating the first and second electrodes. The first jaw member also includes a third cutting electrode on an outer surface separate from the inner surface, and the second jaw member has a tissue-contacting surface which is electrically insulating over its entire surface. The electrosurgical instrument is capable of selectively causing coagulation of tissue between the first and second electrodes, and/or the cutting of tissue contacted by the third electrode.

Surgical instrument

An electrosurgical system includes a generator () for generating radio frequency power, and an electrosurgical instrument () including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises a radio frequency output stage having at least a pair of output lines (C), and a power supply () coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage. The generator also includes a controller () capable of varying a radio frequency signal supplied to the output lines, and a switching circuit () having three or more output connections (A,B,C) each electrically connected with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This switching circuit is operable to vary the connections between the output lines (C) and the output connections (A,B,C). A switching device (A,B) forming part of the system is operable by the user to send a signal to the switching circuit () within the generator in order to vary the electrode or electrodes to which radio frequency power is supplied, the switching device also causing a signal to be sent to the controller () such that the radio frequency signal supplied to at least one of the three or more output connections varies depending on the electrode or electrodes to which radio frequency power is supplied. In one arrangement of the switching circuit, one of the electrodes has no direct connection to the output stage of the generator and is connected via a capacitor to another of the electrodes.

Electrosurgical system

An electrosurgical cutting blade () comprises a first electrode (), a second electrode (), and an electrical insulator () separating the first and second electrodes. The first and second electrodes have dissimilar characteristics (cross-sectional area, thermal conductivity etc.) such that the first electrode () is encouraged to become an active electrode and the second electrode () is encouraged to become a return electrode. The spacing between the first and second electrodes (between 0.25 mm and 3.0 mm) and the peak voltage supplied to the electrodes (and) are both selected such that arcing does not occur directly between the electrodes, but between the first electrode and the tissue at the target site. The arrangement is such that, in use, a thermal differential of at least 50&#xb0; C. is established between the first and second electrodes (and), such that the second electrode is maintained below a temperature of 70&#xb0; C. This is achieved either by thermally insulating the second electrode from the first electrode, and/or by transferring heat away from the second electrode, e.g. by conduction, forced cooling, or by means of a heat pipe ().

Surgical Instrument

An electrosurgical system includes a generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least three electrodes. The generator comprises an RF output stage having at least a pair of RF output lines, a power supply coupled to the output stage for supplying power to the output stage, and a controller capable of varying the RF power signal supplied to the output lines. The system also includes a selection circuit having at least three output connections each in electrical connection with a respective one of the at least three electrodes. This selection circuit operates to vary the coupling between the RF output stage and the three or more output connections. A switching device operable by the user causes the selection circuit to vary the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied, and also causes the RF power signal supplied to at least one of the at least three output connections to vary depending on the electrode or electrodes to which RF power is supplied. In one arrangement of the selection circuit, one of the electrodes has no direct connection to the output stage of the generator and is connected via a capacitor to another of the electrodes.

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Surrey, United Kingdom

Coliin C O Goble