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Patent · US10105174B2 · B2 · US

Method for employing single fault safe redundant signals

(11) Publication number
US10105174B2
(21) Application number
15/194,643
(22) Filing date
2016-06-28
(30) Priority date
2012-04-09
(43) Publication date
2018-10-23
(45) Date of grant
2018-10-23
(51) IPC
A61B 18/12; A61B 18/18; A61N 5/10; A61B 17/32; A61B 18/04
(52) CPC
  • A61B Diagnosis; surgery; identification: 18/1233, 17/320068, 18/1206, 18/18, 2017/00026, 2017/00084, 2017/320069, 2018/00642, 2018/00648, 2018/00666, 2018/00678, 2018/00708, 2018/00779, 2018/00791, 2018/00827, 2018/00869, 2018/00875, 2018/00892, 2018/00994
  • A61N Electrotherapy; magnetotherapy; radiation therapy; ultrasound therapy: 5/10
  • G01R Measuring electric variables; measuring magnetic variables: 31/40
(73) Assignee
Covidien LP
(72) Inventors
James E. Krapohl
(54) Title
Method for employing single fault safe redundant signals
(57) Abstract

An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument coupled to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical system may include a first sensor and a second sensor, which are configured to detect redundant tissue properties and output a signal corresponding thereto. The electrosurgical system has a signal processing circuit for receiving and modifying the output signal from the second sensor. The electrosurgical generator may include a controller for receiving an output signal from the first sensor and a processed signal from the signal processing circuit. The controller compares the two signals received and shuts down the system based on the comparison of the first sensor and a processed signal.

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Claims (20)

  1. An electrosurgical system for providing electrosurgical treatment energy, the system comprising: a first sensor configured to measure at least one property of electrosurgical energy and to output a first signal; a second sensor configured to measure the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy and to output a second signal; a signal processing circuit operatively coupled to the second sensor, the signal processing circuit configured to receive the second signal, to modify the second signal, and to output a processed signal; and a controller configured to: receive the first signal from the first sensor and the processed signal from the signal processing circuit; compare the first signal and the processed signal; convert the processed signal back to the second signal when a difference between the first signal and the processed signal exceeds a predetermined amount; compare the first signal to the second signal converted from the processed signal; and terminate an output of the electrosurgical system when the first signal and the processed signal are substantially identical.
  2. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to delay the second signal for a predetermined period of time before outputting the processed signal.
  3. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to invert the second signal to generate the processed second signal.
  4. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to convert the processed signal back into the second signal when the first signal and the processed second signal are substantially different.
  5. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to compare the first and second signals.
  6. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to terminate output of the electrosurgical system in response to the first and second signals being substantially different.
  7. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy is at least one of voltage, current, power, energy, phase, or any combinations thereof.
  8. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor includes at least one of a thermal sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, an impedance monitor, an optical sensor, a transformer, a capacitive sensor, or any combinations thereof.
  9. An electrosurgical system for providing electrosurgical treatment energy, the system comprising: a first sensor configured to measure at least one property of electrosurgical energy and to output a first signal; a second sensor configured to measure the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy and to output a second signal; a signal processing circuit operatively coupled to the second sensor, the signal processing circuit configured to receive the second signal, to modify the second signal, and to output a processed signal; and a controller configured to: receive the first signal from the first sensor and the processed signal from the signal processing circuit; compare the first signal and the processed signal; convert the processed signal back to the second signal when a difference between the first signal and the processed signal exceeds a predetermined amount; compare the first signal to the second signal converted from the processed signal; and terminate an output of the electrosurgical system in response to the first and second signals being substantially different.
  10. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to delay the second signal for a predetermined period of time before outputting the processed signal.
  11. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to invert the second signal to generate the processed second signal.
  12. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to convert the processed signal back into the second signal when the first signal and the processed second signal are substantially different.
  13. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to compare the first and second signals.
  14. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy is at least one of voltage, current, power, energy, phase, or any combinations thereof.
  15. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor includes at least one of a thermal sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, an impedance monitor, an optical sensor, a transformer, a capacitive sensor, or any combinations thereof.
  16. An electrosurgical system for providing electrosurgical treatment energy, the system comprising: a first sensor configured to measure at least one property of electrosurgical energy and to output a first signal; a second sensor configured to measure the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy and to output a second signal; a signal processing circuit operatively coupled to the second sensor, the signal processing circuit configured to receive the second signal, to modify the second signal, and to output a processed signal; and a controller configured to: receive the first signal from the first sensor and the processed signal from the signal processing circuit; compare the first signal and the processed signal; convert the processed signal back to the second signal when a difference between the first signal and the processed signal exceeds a predetermined amount; compare the first signal to the second signal converted from the processed signal; and control an operation of the electrosurgical system based on at least one of the first signal, the second signal, or the processed signal.
  17. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to delay the second signal for a predetermined period of time before outputting the processed signal.
  18. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to invert the second signal to generate the processed second signal.
  19. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to convert the processed signal back into the second signal when the first signal and the processed second signal are substantially different.
  20. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor includes at least one of a thermal sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, an impedance monitor, an optical sensor, a transformer, a capacitive sensor, or any combinations thereof.

Description

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure is directed to electrosurgery. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical system and method for detecting single fault conditions in sensor assemblies.

2. Background of the Related Art

Devices containing electrical systems require various performance measures to ensure safety. Such safety requirements are particularly important in the case of medical equipment which comes into contact with a patient. Generally, one or more sensors collect data representing the operating condition of the system. After the sensors collect such data, a controller compares the collected data to predetermined threshold values in order to determine whether the system is operating in an unsafe condition.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method to mitigate the risk associated with single fault conditions in electrosurgical systems.

As used herein, the phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. As used herein, a phrase in the form “A/B” means A or B. As used herein, a phrase in the form “A and/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B)”. For the purposes of this description, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)”.

As used herein, the term “RF” generally refers to electromagnetic waves having a lower frequency than microwaves.

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Record as JSON 
{
  "publication_number": "US10105174B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Method for employing single fault safe redundant signals",
  "abstract": "An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical instrument coupled to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical system may include a first sensor and a second sensor, which are configured to detect redundant tissue properties and output a signal corresponding thereto. The electrosurgical system has a signal processing circuit for receiving and modifying the output signal from the second sensor. The electrosurgical generator may include a controller for receiving an output signal from the first sensor and a processed signal from the signal processing circuit. The controller compares the two signals received and shuts down the system based on the comparison of the first sensor and a processed signal.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An electrosurgical system for providing electrosurgical treatment energy, the system comprising: a first sensor configured to measure at least one property of electrosurgical energy and to output a first signal; a second sensor configured to measure the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy and to output a second signal; a signal processing circuit operatively coupled to the second sensor, the signal processing circuit configured to receive the second signal, to modify the second signal, and to output a processed signal; and a controller configured to: receive the first signal from the first sensor and the processed signal from the signal processing circuit; compare the first signal and the processed signal; convert the processed signal back to the second signal when a difference between the first signal and the processed signal exceeds a predetermined amount; compare the first signal to the second signal converted from the processed signal; and terminate an output of the electrosurgical system when the first signal and the processed signal are substantially identical.",
    "2. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to delay the second signal for a predetermined period of time before outputting the processed signal.",
    "3. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to invert the second signal to generate the processed second signal.",
    "4. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to convert the processed signal back into the second signal when the first signal and the processed second signal are substantially different.",
    "5. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to compare the first and second signals.",
    "6. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to terminate output of the electrosurgical system in response to the first and second signals being substantially different.",
    "7. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy is at least one of voltage, current, power, energy, phase, or any combinations thereof.",
    "8. The electrosurgical system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor includes at least one of a thermal sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, an impedance monitor, an optical sensor, a transformer, a capacitive sensor, or any combinations thereof.",
    "9. An electrosurgical system for providing electrosurgical treatment energy, the system comprising: a first sensor configured to measure at least one property of electrosurgical energy and to output a first signal; a second sensor configured to measure the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy and to output a second signal; a signal processing circuit operatively coupled to the second sensor, the signal processing circuit configured to receive the second signal, to modify the second signal, and to output a processed signal; and a controller configured to: receive the first signal from the first sensor and the processed signal from the signal processing circuit; compare the first signal and the processed signal; convert the processed signal back to the second signal when a difference between the first signal and the processed signal exceeds a predetermined amount; compare the first signal to the second signal converted from the processed signal; and terminate an output of the electrosurgical system in response to the first and second signals being substantially different.",
    "10. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to delay the second signal for a predetermined period of time before outputting the processed signal.",
    "11. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to invert the second signal to generate the processed second signal.",
    "12. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to convert the processed signal back into the second signal when the first signal and the processed second signal are substantially different.",
    "13. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to compare the first and second signals.",
    "14. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy is at least one of voltage, current, power, energy, phase, or any combinations thereof.",
    "15. The electrosurgical system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor includes at least one of a thermal sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, an impedance monitor, an optical sensor, a transformer, a capacitive sensor, or any combinations thereof.",
    "16. An electrosurgical system for providing electrosurgical treatment energy, the system comprising: a first sensor configured to measure at least one property of electrosurgical energy and to output a first signal; a second sensor configured to measure the at least one property of the electrosurgical energy and to output a second signal; a signal processing circuit operatively coupled to the second sensor, the signal processing circuit configured to receive the second signal, to modify the second signal, and to output a processed signal; and a controller configured to: receive the first signal from the first sensor and the processed signal from the signal processing circuit; compare the first signal and the processed signal; convert the processed signal back to the second signal when a difference between the first signal and the processed signal exceeds a predetermined amount; compare the first signal to the second signal converted from the processed signal; and control an operation of the electrosurgical system based on at least one of the first signal, the second signal, or the processed signal.",
    "17. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to delay the second signal for a predetermined period of time before outputting the processed signal.",
    "18. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein the signal processing circuit is configured to invert the second signal to generate the processed second signal.",
    "19. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein the controller is further configured to convert the processed signal back into the second signal when the first signal and the processed second signal are substantially different.",
    "20. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the first sensor or the second sensor includes at least one of a thermal sensor, an electromagnetic field sensor, an impedance monitor, an optical sensor, a transformer, a capacitive sensor, or any combinations thereof."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Technical Field\n\nThe present disclosure is directed to electrosurgery. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical system and method for detecting single fault conditions in sensor assemblies.\n\n2. Background of the Related Art\n\nDevices containing electrical systems require various performance measures to ensure safety. Such safety requirements are particularly important in the case of medical equipment which comes into contact with a patient. Generally, one or more sensors collect data representing the operating condition of the system. After the sensors collect such data, a controller compares the collected data to predetermined threshold values in order to determine whether the system is operating in an unsafe condition.\n\nAccordingly, there is a need for a system and method to mitigate the risk associated with single fault conditions in electrosurgical systems.\n\nAs used herein, the phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments,” which may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. As used herein, a phrase in the form “A/B” means A or B. As used herein, a phrase in the form “A and/or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B)”. For the purposes of this description, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)”.\n\nAs used herein, the term “RF” generally refers to electromagnetic waves having a lower frequency than microwaves.",
  "cpc": [
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    "A61B 17/320068",
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    "A61B 2017/320069",
    "A61B 2018/00642",
    "A61B 2018/00648",
    "A61B 2018/00666",
    "A61B 2018/00678",
    "A61B 2018/00708",
    "A61B 2018/00779",
    "A61B 2018/00791",
    "A61B 2018/00827",
    "A61B 2018/00869",
    "A61B 2018/00875",
    "A61B 2018/00892",
    "A61B 2018/00994",
    "A61N 5/10",
    "G01R 31/40"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 18/12",
    "A61B 18/18",
    "A61N 5/10",
    "A61B 17/32",
    "A61B 18/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Covidien LP"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "James E. Krapohl"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-06-28",
  "publication_date": "2018-10-23",
  "grant_date": "2018-10-23",
  "priority_date": "2012-04-09",
  "application_number": "US-201615194643-A",
  "family_id": "48190703",
  "cited_by_count": 23,
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