GB2377175A - Automatic calibration of electro-surgery systems - Google Patents

Automatic calibration of electro-surgery systems Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2377175A
GB2377175A GB0108176A GB0108176A GB2377175A GB 2377175 A GB2377175 A GB 2377175A GB 0108176 A GB0108176 A GB 0108176A GB 0108176 A GB0108176 A GB 0108176A GB 2377175 A GB2377175 A GB 2377175A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
monitor circuit
output
plate
electrosurgery
plate monitor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0108176A
Other versions
GB0108176D0 (en
Inventor
Richard Paul Harding
David Armstrong
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
DOTTEREL Ltd
Smiths Group PLC
Eschmann Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
DOTTEREL Ltd
Smiths Group PLC
Eschmann Holdings Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by DOTTEREL Ltd, Smiths Group PLC, Eschmann Holdings Ltd filed Critical DOTTEREL Ltd
Priority to GB0108176A priority Critical patent/GB2377175A/en
Publication of GB0108176D0 publication Critical patent/GB0108176D0/en
Publication of GB2377175A publication Critical patent/GB2377175A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
    • A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B18/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body
    • A61B18/04—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating
    • A61B18/12—Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body by heating by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
    • A61B18/1206—Generators therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00681—Aspects not otherwise provided for
    • A61B2017/00725—Calibration or performance testing

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Surgery (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Medical Informatics (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Tests Of Electronic Circuits (AREA)

Abstract

An electrosurgery system comprising electrosurgery apparatus and means for testing and calibrating the apparatus, the test and calibrating means including means for receiving a generator active electrode output from the apparatus, means for providing an input to a return plate electrode monitor circuit in the apparatus and means for receiving an output from the plate monitor circuit produced in response to the input, the test and calibrating means being arranged automatically to change settings in the apparatus in response to the received generator output and in response to the output from the plate monitor circuit.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
ELECTROSURGERY This invention relates to electrosurgery.
The invention is more particularly concerned with the calibration of electrosurgery apparatus.
Electrosurgery apparatus is used to apply a high frequency current to an electrode that is applied to the tissue of a patient in order to cut or coagulate. Current is usually returned to the apparatus by means of a large area plate electrode secured to the patient's skin. The return electrode may be divided into different regions so that, by monitoring the resistance between the regions via the skin, it is possible to detect separation of the electrode from the skin and thereby prevent bums at the site of this electrode. In order to ensure correct and safe operation, it is important to test operation of the apparatus, in particular, the output of the generator and the response of the plate monitoring circuit, and to recalibrate the apparatus if necessary. This test and calibration needs to be carried out on manufacture and periodically when the apparatus is serviced. Testing and recalibration is commonly performed by connecting a monitor to the generator output, connecting a series of standard resistors across the return plate input and manually adjusting potentiometer settings within the apparatus to achieve the desired output and the desired response to the return plate resistance.
This conventional test and calibration technique has several disadvantages. It is manual and time consuming thereby increasing costs. Being manual it is more prone to error.
Also, the need to provide adjustable components within the apparatus further adds to cost.
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative electrosurgery system and method.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an electrosurgery system comprising electrosurgery apparatus and means for testing and calibrating the apparatus, the test and calibrating means including means for receiving a generator output from the apparatus, means for providing an input to a plate monitor circuit in the apparatus and means for receiving an output from the plate monitor circuit produced in response to the input, the test and calibrating means being arranged automatically to change settings in the apparatus in response to the received generator output and in response to the output from the plate monitor circuit.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of testing and calibrating electrosurgery apparatus, including the steps of receiving a generator output from the apparatus, providing an input to a plate monitor circuit in the apparatus, receiving an output from the plate monitor circuit produced in response to the input, and automatically changing settings in the apparatus in response to the received generator output and in response to the output from the plate monitor circuit.
An electrosurgery system and a method of testing and calibrating such a system will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows the system schematically.
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
The system comprises a conventional electrosurgery unit or apparatus 1 and a test and calibrating unit 2 in the form of a computer.
The electrosurgery apparatus 1 includes an RF generator 10 that provides an output to a connector 11 on the casing 12 of the apparatus. In normal use, this connector 11 would be connected with a connector at one end of an active electrode cable by which the electrosurgery current is applied to the patient. The apparatus 1 also includes a plate monitor circuit 13 having an input connected to a second connector 14 on the casing and having an output connected to the generator 10. The plate monitor circuit 13 includes a frequency stable source and provides an output voltage to one part of the large area return electrode. The circuit 13 monitors the return voltage from the other part of the electrode in order to determine the resistance via the skin. If the plate electrode detaches from the skin, the resistance increases and the circuit 13 provides an alarm signal via its output 15 to the generator 10 to prevent an output signal being supplied to the connector 11. In practice, the alarm values are digitally stored in the circuit 13 as a factor of the amplitude of the circuit's output voltage. The plate monitor circuit 13 also provides the return path from the plate electrode to the generator 10. Although the frequency of the signal provided by the circuit 13 is stable, the amplitude can vary from unit to unit according to manufacturing tolerances in filter/conditioning circuits.
The calibrating unit 2 is connected to both connectors 11 and 14 on the electrosurgery unit 1 and is also connected to the output 15 of the plate monitor circuit 13, and to control inputs 16 and 17 respectively of the plate monitor circuit and generator 10.
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
Initially, the unit 2 performs the plate calibration. It does this by supplying a signal to the input of the plate monitor circuit 13 instructing it to begin the plate calibration procedure.
The unit 2 initially applies no load to the connector 14 and the plate monitor circuit measures the size of the plate reference signal and stores this value. The unit 2 then applies a set resistance, such as of 5 ohm to be connected to the input connection normally derived from the large section of the spilt plate return electrode. The plate monitor circuit 13 then measures its plate reference signal and stores this value and supplies both stored values to the unit 2.
The unit 2 calculates whether any recalibration is required of the plate monitor circuit 13 and, if recalibration is needed, applies a signal to the input 16 to alter the plate monitor setting.
The unit 2 contains a store 20, such as in the form of a look-up table, by which the necessary recalibration signals are selected according to the values supplied to the unit by the plate monitor circuit 13.
The settings of the generator 10 are calibrated in a similar way. The calibration unit 2 supplies a signal to the generator 10 to cause it to provide an output signal at the connector 11 of a particular amplitude. The unit 2 receives this signal, measures its amplitude and determines how far it deviates from its nominal value. If there is any deviation, the unit 2 supplies an output to the input 17 of the generator 10 to alter its input settings in such a way that the nominal output is produced. The recalibration output supplied to the generator 10 is generated in accordance with information in the store 20.
The arrangement of the present invention avoids the need for manual calibration and thereby makes the calibration process quicker and more reliable.

Claims (30)

CLAIMS:
1. An electrosurgery system comprising electrosurgery apparatus and means for testing and calibrating the apparatus, the test and calibrating means including means for receiving a generator output from the apparatus, means for providing an input to a plate monitor circuit in the apparatus and means for receiving an output from the plate monitor circuit produced in response to the input, the test and calibrating means being arranged automatically to change settings in the apparatus in response to the received generator output and in response to the output from the plate monitor circuit.
2. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for testing and calibrating the electrosurgery apparatus is a calibrating unit connected to first and second connectors on the electrosurgery apparatus, the first connector being an output of the generator and the second connector being an input of the plate monitor circuit.
3. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the calibrating unit is also connected to the output of the plate monitor circuit.
4. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claims 2 or 3, wherein the calibrating unit is also connected to first and second control inputs of the plate monitoring circuit and generator.
5. An electrosurgery system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the calibrating unit is arranged to supply a signal to the input of the plate monitor circuit for instructing it to begin a plate calibration.
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
6. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the calibrating unit is arranged initially to apply no load to the second connector and the plate monitor circuit is arranged to measure a first plate reference signal and store that value.
7. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the calibrating unit is arranged subsequently to apply a set resistance to the second connector and the plate monitor circuit is arranged to measure a second plate reference signal and store that value.
8. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the set resistance is about 5 ohms.
9. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the plate monitor circuit is arranged to supply both the first and second reference signal values to the calibrating unit.
10. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the calibrating unit is arranged to calculate whether any recalibration is required of the plate monitor circuit and, if recalibration is required, is arranged to apply a signal to the first control input to alter the plate monitor setting.
11. An electrosurgery system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the calibrating unit contains memory means for storing recalibration signals.
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
12. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the memory means for storing the recalibration signals is in the form of a look-up table.
13. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claims 11 or 12, wherein the calibrating unit is arranged to select the recalibration signals according to the values supplied to the calibrating unit by the plate monitor circuit.
14. An electrosurgery system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 13, wherein the calibrating unit is arranged to supply a signal to the generator to cause it to provide an output signal at the first connector of a particular amplitude.
15. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the calibrating unit is arranged to receive the output signal, measure its amplitude and determine how far it deviates from its nominal value.
16. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the calibrating unit is arranged to supply a recalibration output to the input of the generator to alter its input settings in such a way that the nominal output is produced if there is any deviation from the nominal value.
17. An electrosurgery system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the recalibration output supplied to the generator is generated in accordance with stored information.
18. A method of testing and calibrating electrosurgery apparatus, including the steps of receiving a generator output from an electrosurgery apparatus, providing an
<Desc/Clms Page number 8>
input to a plate monitor circuit in the apparatus, receiving an output from the plate monitor circuit produced in response to the input, and automatically changing settings in the apparatus in response to the received generator output and in response to the output from the plate monitor circuit.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein initially no load is applied to the input of the plate monitor circuit and the plate monitor circuit measures a first plate reference signal and stores that value.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein subsequently a set resistance is applied to the input of the plate monitor circuit and the plate monitor circuit measures a second plate reference signal and stores that value.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the set resistance is about 5 ohms.
22. A method as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the first and second reference signal values are received from the plate monitor circuit and are utilised in order to calculate whether any recalibration is required of the plate monitor circuit and, if recalibration is required, a signal is applied to the input of the plate monitor circuit to alter the plate monitor setting.
23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein recalibration signals are stored in the memory.
<Desc/Clms Page number 9>
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the memory for storing the recalibration signals is in the form of a look-up table.
25. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein initially a signal is applied to the generator to cause it to provide an output signal of a particular amplitude.
26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein subsequently the output signal is received, its amplitude is measured and how far it deviates from its nominal value is determined.
27. A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein a recalibration output is supplied to the input of the generator to alter its input settings in such a way that the nominal output is produced if there is any deviation from the nominal value.
28. A method as claimed in claim 27, wherein the recalibration output supplied to the generator is generated in accordance with stored information.
29. An electrosurgery system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
30. A method of testing and calibrating electrosurgery apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.
GB0108176A 2001-04-02 2001-04-02 Automatic calibration of electro-surgery systems Withdrawn GB2377175A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0108176A GB2377175A (en) 2001-04-02 2001-04-02 Automatic calibration of electro-surgery systems

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0108176A GB2377175A (en) 2001-04-02 2001-04-02 Automatic calibration of electro-surgery systems

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0108176D0 GB0108176D0 (en) 2001-05-23
GB2377175A true GB2377175A (en) 2003-01-08

Family

ID=9912040

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0108176A Withdrawn GB2377175A (en) 2001-04-02 2001-04-02 Automatic calibration of electro-surgery systems

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2377175A (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4416277A (en) * 1981-11-03 1983-11-22 Valleylab, Inc. Return electrode monitoring system for use during electrosurgical activation
EP0336742A2 (en) * 1988-04-08 1989-10-11 Bristol-Myers Company Method and apparatus for the calibration of electrosurgical apparatus
GB2274592A (en) * 1993-01-27 1994-08-03 Conmed Corp Current sensor for medical devices including connector cables
US5422567A (en) * 1993-12-27 1995-06-06 Valleylab Inc. High frequency power measurement

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4416277A (en) * 1981-11-03 1983-11-22 Valleylab, Inc. Return electrode monitoring system for use during electrosurgical activation
EP0336742A2 (en) * 1988-04-08 1989-10-11 Bristol-Myers Company Method and apparatus for the calibration of electrosurgical apparatus
GB2274592A (en) * 1993-01-27 1994-08-03 Conmed Corp Current sensor for medical devices including connector cables
US5422567A (en) * 1993-12-27 1995-06-06 Valleylab Inc. High frequency power measurement

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0108176D0 (en) 2001-05-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1902684B1 (en) System for return electrode monitoring
US10517663B2 (en) Electrosurgical medical system and method
CA2528612C (en) Patient temperature repeating system and method
EP2022427B1 (en) System for return electrode monitoring
US4716897A (en) Electrosurgical apparatus
US20190133672A1 (en) Electrosurgical medical system and method
EP2022428A1 (en) System and method for return electrode monitoring
WO2008102154A2 (en) Electrosurgical systems
US20080221563A1 (en) Safety Device For a Hf-Surgery Appliance
GB2377175A (en) Automatic calibration of electro-surgery systems
KR20210057753A (en) Electric surgery generator verification system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
COOA Change in applicant's name or ownership of the application
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)