Interdigitated RF Waveforms for Dual-Output Electrosurgical Generators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical generators struggle to equally distribute power to multiple instruments simultaneously, leading to unpredictable performance when multiple surgeons operate on a patient simultaneously, necessitating the use of multiple generators for acceptable results.
Innovation Solution
An electrosurgical generator with a power supply, RF amplifiers, and a controller that interdigitates RF waveforms to regulate output power for each instrument, using sensors to measure and adjust energy delivery, allowing for simultaneous operation of multiple instruments with consistent performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple instruments are connected to a multiple output electrosurgical generator, then the generator can power multiple instruments, but the power cannot be equally distributed to each instrument resulting in poor and unpredictable performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the power delivery to each instrument output independently through separate RF amplifiers (first RF amplifier 228a and second RF amplifier 228b), allowing each instrument to receive regulated power individually rather than sharing a common power path, which enables equal power distribution and consistent performance across multiple instruments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing parameters of RF waveform delivery by interdigitating the waveforms from multiple RF amplifiers, adjusting the duty cycle and timing of each amplifier's output to achieve equal power distribution to multiple instruments simultaneously, resolving the performance inconsistency issue
2Productivity
If multiple instruments are activated simultaneously, then multiple surgical procedures can be performed, but the performance becomes unpredictable and poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of RF amplifier operation through a controller (224) that independently regulates each RF amplifier's output based on real-time conditions, allowing simultaneous activation of multiple instruments with predictable and consistent performance through active power management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors (280a, 280b) measure properties of each RF waveform and feed this information back to the controller, which adjusts the RF amplifier outputs to maintain consistent and predictable performance across multiple simultaneously activated instruments
3Reliability
If waveform interdigitation is implemented, then consistent power distribution to multiple instruments is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple RF amplifiers and their control functions into a single integrated electrosurgical generator system with a unified controller (224) that manages all RF outputs, reducing overall system complexity compared to using multiple separate generators while maintaining consistent power distribution to multiple instruments
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The interdigitated waveform approach reduces peak power output, ensuring consistent and predictable performance across multiple instruments, enabling efficient simultaneous operation without the need for multiple generators.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of RF amplifiers coupled to the power supply, each of the plurality of RF amplifiers being configured to convert DC energy from the power supply into an RF waveform
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, devices, and methods for interdigitation of waveforms for dual-output electrosurgical generators. Such methods may comprise outputting DC energy from a power supply, converting DC energy from the power supply, by a plurality of amplifiers coupled to the power supply, into a plurality of RF waveforms, and controlling the plurality of RF amplifiers to interdigitate the first and second RF waveforms.