[54] ELECTROSURGICAL GENERATOR
[75] Inventor: Francis T. McGreevy, Aurora, Colo.
[73] Assignee: C. R. Bard, Inc., Murray Hill, N.J.
[21] Appl. No.: 281,005
[22] Filed: Jul. 6, 1981
[51] Int. C1.3 A61B 17/39
[52] U.S. CI 128/303.14; 128/303.17
[58] Field of Search 128/303.13, 303.14,
128/303.17
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,658,067 4/1972 Bross 128/303.14
3,699,967 10/1972 Anderson 128/303.14
3,952,748 4/1976 Kaliher et al 128/303.17
3,963,030 6/1976 Newton 128/303.17
4,030,501 6/1977 Archibald 128/303.14
4,318,409 3/1982 Ooster 128/303.17
OTHER PUBLICATIONS Sabah, "A High-Frequency Coagulatur .. . ", EEG &
A solid-state electrosurgical generator is disclosed which provides output wavefornis that are optimized for electrosurgical fulguration. The fulguration output circuitry consists of a radio-frequency tank circuit which is periodically pulsed to produce a periodic damped-sinusoidal output waveform. However, the damping factor is sufficiently low so that many cycles of the waveform occur between periodic input pulses. Although the duty cycle is relatively high compared to prior art devices, cutting and burning effects are prevented by a high impedance output which internally limits fulguration arc current. The fulgurating arc developed by the device is longer and more consistent than that developed by previous devices thereby resulting in superior fulguration.
26 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures
