Cutera, Inc.

Other

X Development LLC

Greg Leyh

Jerzy Orkiszewski

Leo Francis Casey

George Homsy

In one aspect, a method is described. The method may include operating a plurality of circuit elements, and operating a plurality of fault-mitigation circuits. Each circuit element may include an energy storage element, each individual fault-mitigation circuit may be electrically coupled in parallel to a respective circuit element, and each individual fault-mitigation circuit may include a switch. The method may include detecting an electrical fault in one of the circuit elements and cycling the switch of the fault-mitigation circuit coupled in parallel to the faulty circuit element between an open position and a closed position until the storage element of the faulty circuit element is discharged of energy, at which point the switch remains closed.

Fault handling for motor controllers

A collapsible, high voltage electrical discharge generator uses a set of telescoping winding sections to achieve a compact form suitable for efficient transport, storage and deployment. The winding sections have two typical arrangements, fully collapsed and fully extended. In the fully collapsed mode the sections can be telescoped together into a nested configuration, thus occupying a small fraction of the volume of a fully extended system. The towers can be erected into the fully extended mode by applying internal pressure, or alternatively by using mechanical linkage to simply extend the telescoped stack of winding sections into position. Fully extended and connected, the individual sections perform as a large, continuous inductive element capable of generating very high voltages at the top of the tower for use in testing equipment and producing long electrical discharges.

Collapsible high-voltage electrical discharge generator

An electro-surgical system actively maintains an optimal heating profile at the electrode-patient contact surface under varying load resistivity, thereby reducing the risk of burns and maximizing patient comfort. A set of temperature sensors is integrated within the electrode assembly of the electrosurgical system. The sensors are located both at the center and the edges of the electrode. The sensors are thermally coupled to the electrode-patient contact surface. As RF power is applied, a control loop monitors the temperature at the center and edges of the electrode. If the edge temperature of the electrode is high compared to its center temperature, then the control loop increases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the center of the electrode. Conversely, if the edge temperature of the electrode is low compared to its center temperature, then the control loop decreases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the edges of the electrode.

Treatment apparatus with frequency controlled treatment depth

Apparatus and methods for dynamically controlling electric field distribution within tissue disposed at various depths beneath the skin at a target region of a patient's body by independently controlling the electric potential of each of a plurality of electrodes in relation to the electric potential of a ground pad. By controlling electric field distribution during a procedure, a target tissue at particular depths beneath the skin can be selectively heated relative to adjacent non-target tissue. At least one of the electrodes and the ground pad may comprise a spiral inductor comprising a substantially planar spiral of electrically conductive material.

Subcutaneous electric field distribution system and methods

An electro-surgical system actively maintains an optimal heating profile at the electrode-patient contact surface under varying load resistivity, thereby reducing the risk of burns and maximizing patient comfort at a given power level. A set of temperature sensors is integrated within the electrode assembly of the electrosurgical system. The sensors are located both at the center and the edges of the electrode. The sensors are thermally coupled to the electrode-patient contact surface and have a time response that is short compared to the thermal time constraints of the tissue. Some degree of signal processing may take place at the sensor, inside the transducer assembly. As RF power is applied, a control loop monitors the temperature at the center and edges of the electrode. If the edge temperature of the electrode is high compared to its center temperature, then the control loop increases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the center of the electrode. Conversely, if the edge temperature of the electrode is low compared to its center temperature, then the control loop decreases the operating frequency, effectively driving heat towards the edges of the electrode. By actively adjusting the operating frequency in this way, the control loop maintains any chosen heating profile at the electrode-patient contact surface.

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Brisbane, CA, United States of America

Greg Leyh