| CPC A61B 18/1206 (2013.01) [A61B 18/1442 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00404 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00666 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00702 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00827 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00875 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00892 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01)] | 8 Claims |
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1. An electrosurgical system comprising:
a bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising:
a body;
an elongate shaft attached to the body, the elongate shaft extending to a distal end;
a first elongate jaw member and a second elongate jaw member provided at the distal end of the elongate shaft, the first elongate jaw member carrying a first electrode and the second elongate jaw member carrying a second electrode, the first elongate jaw member and the second elongate jaw member being movable relative to one another between an open position in which the first electrode and the second electrode are spaced apart from one another, and a closed position in which the first electrode is adjacent the second electrode; and
a power cable having (1) a pair of electrically conductive elements, (2) a first end and (3) a second end for connection to the first electrode and the second electrode; and
a waveform generator connected with the first end of the power cable of the bipolar electrosurgical instrument and comprising:
a radio frequency signal generator operable to supply a radio frequency signal to the first electrode and the second electrode via the power cable; and
a controller operable to control operation of the radio frequency signal generator, in dependence upon a received control input,
wherein the controller is operable, in a sealing stage following, in seratium, a tissue impedance measurement stage and a heating stage:
to control the radio frequency signal generator to supply a radio frequency signal at a predetermined sealing voltage level to the first electrode and the second electrode for a sealing time period of a predetermined length having a sealing end time, the predetermined sealing voltage level being a voltage increase during the sealing time period such that the controller is configured to increase the voltage at a faster rate in the heating stage than in the tissue impedance measurement stage;
to measure an impedance level between the first electrode and the second electrode at the sealing end time;
to compare the measured impedance with a predetermined reference impedance to produce a comparison signal; and
to determine whether to repeat the heating and sealing stages or proceed to a different stage in dependence upon the comparison signal.
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