Methods for operating generator for digitally generating electrical signal waveforms and surgical instruments

Abstract

Disclosed is a method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator. The generator includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory defines a first and second table. The processor retrieves information from the first table defined in the memory, where the information is associated with a first wave shape of a first electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure. The processor retrieves information from the second table defined in the memory, where the information is associated with a second wave shape of a second electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure. The processor combines the first and second wave shapes to create a combined wave shape of an electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure and the combined wave shape electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure is delivered to a surgical instrument.

1 . A method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator, the generator comprising a processor and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory defining a first and second table, the method comprising:
 retrieving, by the processor, information from the first table defined the memory, wherein the information is associated with a first wave shape of a first electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure;   retrieving, by the processor, information from the second table defined in the memory, wherein the information is associated with a second wave shape of a second electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure;   combining, by the processor, the first and second wave shapes to create a combined wave shape of an electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure; and   delivering the combined wave shape electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure to a surgical instrument.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first table is defined by the first memory and the second table is defined by a second memory. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first wave shape is associated with a radio frequency (RF) electrical signal waveform and the second wave shape is associated with an ultrasonic electrical signal waveform. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first wave shape is associated with a first ultrasonic electrical signal waveform and the second wave shape is associated with a second ultrasonic electrical signal waveform. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising creating the first and second table by a direct digital synthesis circuit coupled to the processor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising:
 addressing, by the processor, the first table according to a frequency of the first electrical signal waveform; and   addressing, by the processor, the second table according to a frequency of the second electrical signal waveform.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , comprising:
 storing, by the processor, the information associated with the first wave shape in the memory; and   storing, by the processor, the information associated with the second wave shape   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising:
 receiving, by the processor, a feedback signal associated with tissue parameters; and   modifying the first and second wave shapes according to the feedback signal.   
     
     
         9 . A method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator, the generator comprising a processor and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory defining a first and second table, the method comprising:
 retrieving, by the processor, information from the first table defined the memory, wherein the information is associated with a first wave shape of a first electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure;   retrieving, by the processor, information from the second table defined in the memory, wherein the information is associated with a second wave shape of a second electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure; and   delivering the first and second electrical signal waveforms for performing a surgical procedure to a surgical instrument.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising switching between the first and second electrical signal waveforms. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising:
 synchronizing the first and second electrical signal waveforms; and   maximizing power delivered to the surgical instrument.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first digital electrical signal waveform represents a RF waveform and the second digital electrical signal waveform represents an ultrasonic signal waveform. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first wave shape is associated with a first ultrasonic electrical signal waveform and the second wave shape is associated with a second ultrasonic electrical signal waveform. 
     
     
         14 . A method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator, the generator comprising a processor and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory defining a first and second table, the method comprising:
 retrieving, by the processor, information from the first table defined the memory, wherein the information is associated with a first wave shape of a first electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure;   retrieving, by the processor, information from the second table defined in the memory, wherein the information is associated with a second wave shape of a second electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure; and   combining, by the processor, the first and second wave shapes to create a combined wave shape of an electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure;   delivering the combined wave shape electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure to a surgical instrument; and   modifying, by the processor, the combined wave shape of the electrical signal waveform to form a modified electrical signal waveform, wherein a peak amplitude of the modified electrical signal waveform does not exceed a predetermined amplitude.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first wave shape is associated with a first radio frequency (RF) electrical signal waveform and the second wave shape is associated with a second RF electrical signal waveform. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first wave shape is associated with a first ultrasonic electrical signal waveform and the second wave shape is associated with a second ultrasonic electrical signal waveform. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first wave shape is associated with a RF electrical signal waveform and the second wave shape is associated with an ultrasonic electrical signal waveform. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising determining, by the processor, the peak amplitude of the combined electrical signal waveform while delivering the combined electrical signal waveform to the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising reducing an amplitude of the combined electrical signal waveform when the peak amplitude of the combined electrical signal waveform is approaching. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising determining a peak amplitude of the combined electrical signal waveform and modifying the combined electrical signal waveform comprises based on the determined peak amplitude of the combined electrical signal waveform.