| CPC A61B 18/1445 (2013.01) [A61B 18/1206 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00702 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00714 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00875 (2013.01)] | 15 Claims |
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1. An electrosurgical system, comprising:
first and second jaw members each defining a tissue treating surface, the first and second jaw members pivotably coupled to one another such that at least one of the first or second jaw members is movable relative to the other from a spaced-apart position to an approximated position to grasp tissue between the tissue treating surfaces, one of the first or second jaw members including a thermal cutting element extending towards the other of the first or second jaw members; and
a generator electrically coupled to the first and second jaw members and configured to provide electrical energy to the tissue treating surfaces to seal tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members upon activation of a first switch with the first and second jaw members disposed in the approximated position, the generator electrically coupled to the thermal cutting element and configured, upon maintained activation of a second switch with the first and second jaw members disposed in the spaced-apart position, to:
provide power to the cutting element while tissue contact with the cutting element is not detected to maintain a pre-dissection temperature of the cutting element;
sense a change in resistance of the cutting element to thereby detect tissue contact with the cutting element;
ramp up the power, in response to the detection of tissue contact with the cutting element, until the cutting element reaches a dissection temperature; and
regulate the power to maintain the temperature of the cutting element at the dissection temperature during open dissection,
wherein the generator is further configured, upon deactivation of the second switch, to terminate the power to the cutting element.
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