U.S. patent application number 14/948471 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-17 for electrosurgical system for communicating information embedded in an audio tone.
The applicant listed for this patent is COVIDIEN LP. Invention is credited to DANIEL A. JOSEPH.
Application Number | 20160074092 14/948471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49212486 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160074092 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JOSEPH; DANIEL A. |
March 17, 2016 |
ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION EMBEDDED IN AN
AUDIO TONE
Abstract
An electrosurgical system is provided. The electrosurgical
system includes an electrosurgical generator including a computer
having one or more microprocessors in operable communication with
memory for storing information pertaining to the electrosurgical
generator. An audio output module is in operable communication with
the computer and configured to generate an audio output having the
information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator embedded
therein. A speaker is in operable communication with the audio
output module for outputting the audio output. A recording device
is configured to record the audio output. An audio collector is
configured to receive the audio output from the recording device
and decipher the embedded audio so that the information pertaining
to the electrosurgical generator may be utilized for future
use.
Inventors: |
JOSEPH; DANIEL A.; (GOLDEN,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COVIDIEN LP |
MANSFIELD |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49212486 |
Appl. No.: |
14/948471 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13427111 |
Mar 22, 2012 |
9198711 |
|
|
14948471 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/34 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2018/00589
20130101; A61B 18/1445 20130101; A61B 2018/0063 20130101; A61B
18/1206 20130101; A61B 2018/00577 20130101; A61B 2018/00601
20130101; A61B 2018/1455 20130101; A61B 2017/00128 20130101; A61B
2560/0475 20130101; A61B 2017/00123 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 18/12 20060101
A61B018/12 |
Claims
1-19. (canceled)
20. An electrosurgical generator comprising: a memory configured to
store data pertaining to the electrosurgical generator; a processor
in operable communication with the memory; an audio output module
coupled to the processor and configured to generate an audio signal
encoding the data; a speaker coupled to the audio output module and
configured to output the audio signal; and an audio collector
configured to receive the audio signal and decode the data encoded
in the audio signal.
21. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 20, wherein
the audio output module is further configured to encrypt the audio
signal.
22. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 21, the audio
collector is configured to decrypt the encrypted audio signal.
23. The electrosurgical generator according to claim 20, wherein
the data is selected from the group consisting of date and time of
an electrosurgical procedure, activation time of the
electrosurgical generator, type of an electrosurgical instrument
connected to the electrosurgical generator, serial number of the
electrosurgical generator, amount of electrosurgical energy
delivered to an electrosurgical instrument, and shut off
condition.
24. An electrosurgical system comprising: an electrosurgical
instrument; an electrosurgical generator configured to supply
electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical instrument, the
electrosurgical generator including: a memory configured to store
data pertaining to the electrosurgical generator; a processor in
operable communication with the memory; an audio output module
coupled to the processor and configured to generate an audio signal
encoding the data; a speaker coupled to the audio output module and
configured to output the audio signal; and an audio collector
configured to receive the audio signal and decode the data encoded
in the audio signal.
25. The electrosurgical system according to claim 24, wherein the
audio output module is further configured to encrypt the audio
signal.
26. The electrosurgical system according to claim 25, the audio
collector is configured to decrypt the encrypted audio signal.
27. The electrosurgical system according to claim 24, wherein the
data is selected from the group consisting of date and time of an
electrosurgical procedure, activation time of one of the
electrosurgical generator or the electrosurgical instrument, type
of the electrosurgical instrument, serial number of at least one of
the electrosurgical generator or the electrosurgical instrument,
amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to the electrosurgical
instrument, and shut off condition.
28. A method for transferring information pertaining to an
electrosurgical generator, comprising: encoding data in an audio
signal at an audio output module, the data pertaining to an
electrosurgical generator; outputting the audio signal through a
speaker coupled to the audio signal; receiving the audio signal at
an audio collector; and decoding the data encoded in the audio
signal at the audio collector.
29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:
encrypting the audio signal prior to outputting the audio
signal.
30. The method according to claim 29, further comprising:
decrypting the audio signal at the audio collector.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/427,111, filed Mar. 22, 2012, now U.S. Pat.
No. 9,198,711, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated
by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical system.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an
electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical generator
configured to communicate information embedded in an audible tone
generated by the electrosurgical generator.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Electrosurgical systems that are configured to
electrosurgically treat tissue are well known in the art.
Electrosurgical systems, typically, include an electrosurgical
generator that is configured to couple and provide electrosurgical
energy, e.g., RF and/or microwave energy, to one or more suitable
types of electrosurgical instruments, e.g., electrosurgical
forceps.
[0006] For example, and in one particular instance, the
electrosurgical generator and corresponding electrosurgical
instrument may be configured to seal tissue. In this instance, the
electrosurgical generators may be configured to provide
electrosurgical energy to the electrosurgical instrument for
specified time period and intensity level, commonly referred to as
a "duty cycle." The electrosurgical generators may be configured to
provide an audible indication to an end user, e.g., a surgeon. For
example, and in certain instances, the electrosurgical generators
may be configured to provide an audible tone that represents the
beginning of a duty cycle and an audible tone that represents an
end of the duty cycle.
SUMMARY
[0007] While the aforementioned electrosurgical systems provide an
effective method in electrosurgically treating tissue, it may prove
advantageous to provide an electrosurgical generator that is
configured to embed information pertaining to the electrosurgical
generator, electrosurgical instrument coupled thereto and/or an
electrosurgical procedure in an audible tone generated by the
electrosurgical generator.
[0008] Aspects of the present disclosure are described in detail
with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference
numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein,
the term "distal" refers to the portion that is being described
which is further from a user, while the term "proximal" refers to
the portion that is being described which is closer to a user.
[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure provides an
electrosurgical system configured for use in performing an
electrosurgical procedure. The electrosurgical system includes an
electrosurgical generator including a computer having one or more
microprocessors in operable communication with memory for storing
information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator. An audio
output module is in operable communication with the computer and
configured to generate an audio output having the information
pertaining to the electrosurgical generator embedded therein. The
embedded information may be encrypted. A speaker is in operable
communication with the audio output module for outputting the audio
output. An audio collector is configured to receive the audio
output from the speaker and decipher the embedded audio so that the
information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may be
utilized for future use.
[0010] The audio collector may be components of the electrosurgical
generator. In this particular instance, the deciphered information
may be stored in memory of the electrosurgical generator.
[0011] The audio collector may include a computer system including
a processor, memory, one or more storage devices, one or more input
modules, one or more output modules and one or more communication
ports configured to couple to the recording device.
[0012] The audio collector may be a component of a video recording
system configured to video-tape the electrosurgical procedure.
[0013] The information pertaining to the electrosurgical generator
may include, but is not limited to date and time of an
electrosurgical procedure, activation time of one of the
electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument, type
of electrosurgical instrument connected to the electrosurgical
generator, electrosurgical generator serial number, amount of
electrosurgical energy delivered to electrosurgical instrument,
amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to tissue, and whether
the electrosurgical generator was shut off manually via a shut off
button on the electrosurgical generator or automatically as a
result of an end of a duty cycle.
[0014] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an
electrosurgical generator configured to provide electrosurgical
energy to an electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical
instrument includes a computer having one or more microprocessors
that are in operable communication with memory for storing
information pertaining to either the electrosurgical generator or
the electrosurgical instrument. An audio output module is
configured to generate an audio output having the information
pertaining to one of the electrosurgical generator and the
electrosurgical instrument embedded therein. The embedded
information may be encrypted. One or more speakers are in operable
communication with the audio output module for outputting the audio
output received from the audio output module.
[0015] In certain instances, the electrosurgical generator is in
operable communication with an audio collector configured to record
the audio output from the speaker(s) and decipher the embedded
audio so that the information pertaining to the electrosurgical
generator and the electrosurgical instrument may be utilized for
future use.
[0016] In certain stances, the audio collector may be a component
of a video recording system configured to video-tape the
electrosurgical procedure. In other instances, the information
pertaining to the electrosurgical generator may include, but is not
limited to date and time of an electrosurgical procedure,
activation time of one of the electrosurgical generator and the
electrosurgical instrument, type of electrosurgical instrument
connected to the electrosurgical generator, electrosurgical
generator serial number, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered
to electrosurgical instrument, amount of electrosurgical energy
delivered to tissue, and whether the electrosurgical generator was
shut off manually via a shut off button on the electrosurgical
generator or automatically as a result of an end of a duty
cycle.
[0017] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method
of transferring information pertaining to an electrosurgical
generator and an electrosurgical instrument. An audio output is
generated and embedded with information pertaining to the
electrosurgical generator and electrosurgical instrument. The audio
output is transmitted from the electrosurgical generator. The audio
output is recorded and, subsequently deciphered.
[0018] An audio output module may be provided to generate and,
subsequently, embed the audio output with the information
pertaining to one of the electrosurgical generator and the
electrosurgical instrument. A speaker may be provided to transmit
the audio output. An audio collector is provided to record and
decipher the embedded audio so that the information pertaining to
the electrosurgical generator may be utilized for future use. The
audio collector may be a component of a video recording system
configured to video-tape the electrosurgical procedure.
[0019] The method may include encrypting the embedded information
prior to transmitting the audio output. The information pertaining
to the electrosurgical generator may include, but is not limited to
date and time of an electrosurgical procedure, activation time of
one of the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical
instrument, type of electrosurgical instrument connected to the
electrosurgical generator, electrosurgical generator serial number,
amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to electrosurgical
instrument, amount of electrosurgical energy delivered to tissue,
and whether the electrosurgical generator was shut off manually via
a shut off button on the electrosurgical generator or automatically
as a result of an end of a duty cycle.
[0020] The method may also include regenerating the deciphered
information into one of an audible and visual perceivable
medium.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0021] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described
hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrosurgical system
configured for use with an electrosurgical instrument according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0023] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for transferring
information pertaining to an electrosurgical generator and an
electrosurgical instrument configured for use with the
electrosurgical system depicted in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed
herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of
the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art
to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0025] Turning now to FIG. 1, an electrosurgical system 2 is
illustrated including an electrosurgical generator 4 and an
electrosurgical device (e.g., an electrosurgical forceps,
electrosurgical stapler, etc.) configured to electrosurgically
treat tissue. For the purposes herein, it is assumed that the
electrosurgical device is a bipolar endoscopic electrosurgical
forceps 6.
[0026] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, electrosurgical
generator 4 includes electronic circuitry that generates radio
frequency power for various electrosurgical procedures (e.g.,
sealing, cutting, coagulating, or ablating tissue). The
electrosurgical generator 4 may be configured to function in either
monopolar or bipolar modes of operation. A plurality of outputs
(not explicitly shown) may be configured for interfacing with the
forceps 6 and/or other various electrosurgical instruments and or
devices, e.g., a return pad, etc.
[0027] In accordance with the instant disclosure, and depending on
the specific type of electrosurgical procedures that the
electrosurgical generator 4 is set to provide electrosurgical
energy for, the electrosurgical generator 4 utilizes one or more
duty cycles to effect tissue. For example, and in one particular
embodiment, a duty cycle may include applying electrosurgical
energy to tissue grasped between jaw members 8, 10 of the forceps 6
for a predetermined amount of time to seal tissue. At the end of
the duty cycle, the sealed tissue may be severed by either a
cutting electrode or knife.
[0028] In accordance with the present disclosure, the
electrosurgical generator 4 provides an audible tone (of suitable
frequency) to indicate to a user when to begin applying
electrosurgical energy to tissue and when to stop applying
electrosurgical energy to tissue such that an effective tissue seal
may be achieved. In embodiments, the audio tone may be perceivable
to a user. Alternately, the electrosurgical generator 4 may be
configured to provide an audible tone that is not perceivable to a
user, e.g., an audible tone in an ultrasonic frequency range. In
either instance, the electrosurgical generator 4 is configured to
embed the audible tone with information that is pertinent to the
electrosurgical generator 4, the forceps 6 and/or an
electrosurgical procedure.
[0029] Electrosurgical generator 4 includes a computer 12 having
one or more microprocessors 14 in operable communication with
memory 16 (in embodiments, electrosurgical generator 4 may include
flash memory 16) for storing information "I" pertaining to the
electrosurgical generator 4 (FIG. 1). The information "I"
pertaining to the electrosurgical generator 4 may include, but is
not limited to date and time of an electrosurgical procedure,
activation time of the electrosurgical generator 4 and/or the
forceps 6, type of electrosurgical instrument that is connected to
the electrosurgical generator 4, serial number of the
electrosurgical generator 4, amount of electrosurgical energy
delivered to the forceps 6, amount of electrosurgical energy
delivered to tissue, and whether the electrosurgical generator 4
was shut off manually via a shut off button on the electrosurgical
generator 4 or automatically as a result of an end of a duty cycle.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate the various types of
processors and memory that can be used for storing information "I."
For example, an embodiment of electrosurgical generator 4 may
include a single-board computer 12 that includes the processor 14
and memory 16. Such single-board computers are commercially
available. Alternatively, the electrosurgical generator 4 may
include a microcontroller that functions as the processor 14.
[0030] In embodiments, electrosurgical generator 4 may include
inputs (not shown) that allow a user to enter user input to the
electrosurgical generator 4. The inputs may, for example, be a set
of buttons, switches, sensors, etc. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate the various kinds of inputs that can be used for a user
to enter user input. Through the inputs the user may include
specific information to be embedded on the audible tone that is
generated by the electrosurgical generator 4.
[0031] An audio output module 18 is in operable communication with
the computer 12 and is configured to generate an audio output 20
that has information "I" embedded therein (FIG. 1). In certain
embodiments, the audio output 20 is perceivable to a user,
recorded, and decoded by an audio collector 22, described in
greater detail below. In operation, audio output module 18 compiles
relevant information stored in memory 16 that is to be embedded
with the audio output 20. That is, audio output module 18
translates the information "I" stored in memory 16 into a suitable
audio output format such that the information "I" may be embedded
with the audio output 20. Once the information "I" has been
embedded with the audio output 20 it is output through a speaker 24
(FIG. 1). In certain embodiments, the embedded audio output 20 may
be encrypted to protect the embedded audio output 20 during
transfer thereof.
[0032] Speaker 24 with supporting speaker components, e.g., a
driving circuit (not explicitly shown) is in operable communication
with the audio output module 18 for outputting the embedded audio
output 20 (FIG. 1). Speaker components may include one or more
sound cards with a speaker jack to which a speaker 24 may be
attached. Further, the speaker 24 and speaker components may be
embodied in an integrated circuit capable of producing sound. Those
skilled in the art will appreciate the commercially available
speakers and sound components that may be utilized with the
electrosurgical generator 4 to produce sound.
[0033] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1, audio collector 22 may
use a computer 26 to recognize the tones, the tone sequences, the
tone frequencies, etc., and to receive and decode the embedded
audio output 20 output by the speaker 24. For example, and as
illustrated in FIG. 1, the audio collector 22 may include computer
26 that is configured to listen for the embedded audio output 20
generated by the electrosurgical generator 4 and also configured to
decode the embedded audio output 20. The decoded information is
placed in memory 30 for future use thereof. Typical components of a
computer 26 may include a processor 28, memory 30, a storage device
32, input devices 34 and output devices 36. In certain embodiments,
one or more communication ports 38 may also be included in the
audio controller 22 and/or computer 26. It will be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that many more components may be included
in the audio collector 22 and/or computer 20. For example, various
output devices may include without limitation a monitor, speakers,
a printer, etc.
[0034] Audio controller 22 includes a microphone 40 (FIG. 1)
including supporting components associated therewith. Microphone 40
is used to detect the embedded audio output 20 and includes audio
processing software (not shown) that used to decipher the embedded
audio output 20 transmitted from the speaker 24 of the
electrosurgical generator 4. Microphone 40 (and supporting
components associated therewith) may be configured to communicate
with one or more components of the computer 26 of the audio
controller 22. To provide the embedded audio output 20 to the audio
collector 22, the user may simply place the audio collector 22 in a
vicinity of speaker 24 of the electrosurgical generator 4.
[0035] In certain instances, the audio controller 22 may configured
to function as part of an optional video-recording system 42. Other
than including the previously described capabilities of the audio
controller 22, video-recording system 42 functions similar to
conventional video-recording systems.
[0036] Operation of electrosurgical system 2 is described in terms
of a method for transferring information pertaining to an
electrosurgical generator 4 and an electrosurgical instrument 6.
Audio output module 18 is utilized to generate an audio output, see
FIG. 2 at step 200. The audio output is embedded with information
pertaining to the electrosurgical generator 4 and electrosurgical
instrument 6, see FIG. 2 at step 202. The embedded audio output 20
is communicated to the speaker 24 that transmits the embedded audio
output 20, see FIG. 2 at step 204.
[0037] The microphone 40 of the audio controller detects the
embedded audio output 20. The audio controller 22 records the
embedded audio output tone, deciphers the embedded audio output 20
and, subsequently, stores the deciphered information into memory 30
see FIG. 2 at steps 206 and 208. Thereafter, the deciphered
information "I" may be retrieved from memory 30 for future use
thereof. For example, the deciphered information may be regenerated
into either an audible and/or visual perceivable medium, e.g.,
monitor, speakers, a printer, etc.
[0038] From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure
drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain
modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without
departing from the scope of the same. For example, and as noted
above, the electrosurgical system 2 may be configured to include
video recording system 42. This embodiment may be particularly
useful in reviewing a surgical procedure, a training environment or
for troubleshooting the electrosurgical generator 4 and/or forceps
6.
[0039] For example, in use, a surgeon grasps tissue and activates
the electrosurgical generator 4. The electrosurgical generator 4
emits an embedded audible tone 20, but the surgeon does not hear
the end of the embedded audible tone 20 and prematurely stops the
transmission of electrosurgical energy to tissue to only partially
treat the tissue, e.g., an ineffective tissue seal.
[0040] Subsequently, the surgeon utilizes a knife blade (or other
suitable device) to sever the "partially" treated tissue. As can be
appreciated, there exists a likelihood that the severed and
"partially" treated tissue may bleed or burst, which, in turn, may
cause patient concern.
[0041] With the presently disclosed disclosure, the embedded audio
output 20 can be reviewed to determine when the surgeon shut off
the electrosurgical generator 4. That is, to determine if the
surgeon prematurely ended the duty-cycle or if the electrosurgical
generator 4 was not functioning properly, thereby removing the
guess-work as to who or what was at fault.
[0042] While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown
in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited
thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope
as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise.
Therefore, the above description should not be construed as
limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments.
Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within
the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *