Method for controlling an electrosurgical generator

Abstract

A microwave ablation system includes a generator including a first energy source, a second energy source and a diplexer, the diplexer multiplexes a first energy from the first energy source and a second energy from the second energy source. The system also includes a cable including a center conductor and an outer sheath where the multiplexed energy is transmitted through the center conductor. In addition an antenna is provided that is operable to receive the multiplexed energy from the center conductor and to deliver the multiplexed energy to a region of tissue. The outer sheath acts as a return path of the second energy to the second energy source. A sensor is also provided that measures at least one parameter of the second energy generated by the second energy source and the second energy returned from the region of tissue.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A method for controlling a microwave generator, the method comprising:
 generating first energy at a first frequency at a first energy source;   generating second energy at a second frequency at a second energy source;   multiplexing the first and second energies to output multiplexed energy;   transmitting the multiplexed energy to a load;   receiving the second energy from the load;   measuring a parameter of the second energy; and   controlling the first energy source based on the measured parameter of the second energy.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the first frequency is higher than the second frequency. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the first energy source is a microwave generator and the second energy source is a radio frequency generator. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising calculating an impedance of the load based on the measured parameter of the second energy. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising controlling the first energy source based the impedance of the load. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the measured parameter of the second energy is at least one of voltage or current. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein multiplexing the first and second energies to output multiplexed energy includes outputting the first energy and the second energy simultaneously while blocking the first energy from the second energy source and blocking the second energy signal from the first energy source. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein receiving the second energy from the load includes providing a return path for the second energy to the second energy source. 
     
     
         21 . A method for controlling an electrosurgical energy source, the method comprising:
 generating a first electrosurgical energy signal at a first frequency from a first electrosurgical energy source;   generating a second electrosurgical energy signal at a second frequency from a second electrosurgical energy source;   outputting the first and second electrosurgical energy signals simultaneously as a multiplexed signal while blocking the first electrosurgical energy signal from the second electrosurgical energy source and blocking the second electrosurgical energy signal from the first electrosurgical energy source; and   controlling the first electrosurgical energy source based on a measured parameter of the second electrosurgical energy signal.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 21 , further comprising transmitting the multiplexed signal to a load. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising receiving, at the second electrosurgical energy source, the second electrosurgical energy signal from the load. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein receiving, at the second electrosurgical energy source, the second electrosurgical energy signal from the load includes providing a return path for the second electrosurgical energy signal to the second electrosurgical energy source. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising determining an impedance of the load based on the measured parameter of the second electrosurgical energy signal. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 25 , further comprising controlling the first electrosurgical energy source based the impedance of the load. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the measured parameter of the second electrosurgical energy signal is at least one of voltage or current. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the first frequency is higher than the second frequency. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the first electrosurgical energy source is a microwave generator and the second electrosurgical energy source is a radio frequency generator. 
     
     
         30 . A method for controlling an electrosurgical energy source, the method comprising:
 generating a first electrosurgical energy signal at a first frequency from a first electrosurgical energy source;   generating a second electrosurgical energy signal at a second frequency from a second electrosurgical energy source;   transmitting the first and second electrosurgical energy signals simultaneously as a multiplexed signal to a load while blocking the first electrosurgical energy signal from the second electrosurgical energy source and blocking the second electrosurgical energy signal from the first electrosurgical energy source; and   controlling the first electrosurgical energy source based on an impedance of the load.   
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein the first electrosurgical energy source is a microwave generator and the second electrosurgical energy source is a radio frequency generator. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 30 , further comprising receiving the second electrosurgical energy signal from the load at the second electrosurgical energy source.