Method and system of reduction of low frequency muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures

Abstract

Reduction of low frequency muscle stimulation during electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: treating a target tissue with an electrosurgical wand comprising a plurality of active electrodes intermittently exposed to a rectifying electrical phenomenon; charging a first capacitance in series with a first electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon proximate the first electrode; charging a second capacitance in series with a second electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the second electrode; charging a third capacitance in series with a third electrode of the plurality of active electrodes, the charging during periods of time when the rectifying electrical phenomenon is proximate the third electrode; and discharging, through the first electrode, the first capacitance, while simultaneously charging the second capacitance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a wand comprising:   a non-conductive outer surface;   a plurality of active electrodes disposed on a distal end of the wand;   a plurality of electrical leads, the electrical leads electrically coupled one each to a respective active electrode of the plurality of active electrodes;   a controller comprising:   a voltage generator configured to generate voltage of varying amplitude, the voltage generator has an active terminal and a return terminal; and   the active terminal coupled to each of the plurality of electrical leads;   a plurality of capacitors, the capacitors electrically coupled one each in series with a respective electrical lead of the plurality of electrical leads.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the controller further comprises:
 an enclosure that encloses the voltage generator; 
 wherein at least one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the enclosure. 
 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the enclosure. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the wand further comprises:
 a handle and an elongate shaft coupled to the handle; and 
 wherein at least one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the wand. 
 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the wand. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the plurality of electrical leads form a multi-conductor cable electrically coupled between the controller and the plurality of active electrodes, and wherein at least one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors disposed within the multi-conductor cable. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of capacitors is disposed within the multi-conductor cable. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 wherein the plurality of active electrodes further comprises at least twenty active electrodes; and 
 wherein the plurality of electrical leads further comprises at least twenty electrical leads; and 
 wherein the plurality of capacitors further comprises at least twenty capacitors. 
 
     
     
         9 . An electrosurgical wand comprising:
 an elongate shaft that defines a proximal end and a distal end, at least a portion of the exterior surface comprising non-conductive material;   a connector comprising a plurality of pins;   a first active electrode disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a first electrical lead electrically coupled to the first electrode and a first pin of the connector;   a second active electrode disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a second electrical lead electrically coupled to the second electrode and a second pin of the connector; and   a third active electrode disposed on the distal end of the elongate shaft, and a third electrical lead electrically coupled to the third electrode and a third pin of the connector;   a first capacitor electrically coupled in series between the first pin and the first active electrode;   a second capacitor electrically coupled in series between the second pin and the second active electrode; and   a third capacitor electrically coupled in series between the third pin and the third active electrode.   
     
     
         10 . The electrosurgical wand of  claim 9  further comprising at least one of the capacitors disposed between the connector and the proximal end of the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The electrosurgical wand of  claim 9  further comprising:
 the first capacitor disposed between the connector and the proximal end of the elongate shaft; 
 the second capacitor disposed between the connector and the proximal end of the elongate shaft; and 
 the third capacitor disposed between the connector and the proximal end of the elongate shaft. 
 
     
     
         12 . The electrosurgical wand of  claim 9  further comprising at least one of the capacitors disposed within the elongate shaft. 
     
     
         13 . The electrosurgical wand of  claim 9  further comprising:
 the first capacitor disposed within the elongate shaft; 
 the second capacitor disposed within the elongate shaft; and 
 the third capacitor disposed within the elongate shaft. 
 
     
     
         14 . An electrosurgical controller comprising:
 an enclosure that defines an outer surface;   a voltage generator disposed within the enclosure, the voltage generator configured to generate an alternating current (AC) output voltage, the voltage generator has an active terminal and a return terminal;   a first connector disposed on the outer surface, the first connector configured to couple to a connector of an electrosurgical wand, and the first connector comprising a first, second and third electrical pins;   a first capacitor electrically coupled in series between the active terminal and the first electrical pin;   a second capacitor electrically coupled in series between the active terminal and the second electrical pin; and   a third capacitor electrically coupled in series between the active terminal and the third electrical pin.   
     
     
         15 . The electrosurgical controller of  claim 14  wherein the connector is further configured to couple to the connector of an electrosurgical wand in only one orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical controller of  claim 14  wherein the connector comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: a tab configured to mechanically couple to a slot of the connector of the electrosurgical wand; and a slot configured to mechanically couple to a tab of the connector of the electrosurgical wand. 
     
     
         17 . The electrosurgical controller of  claim 14  further comprising:
 the first connector further comprising a third through twentieth electrical pins; and 
 a third through twentieth capacitors coupled one each in series between the active terminal and a respective third through twentieth electrical pin.