System and method for detecting bending of an electrosurgical device

Abstract

A system for detecting bending of an electrosurgical device includes a strain relief configured to be coupled to a shaft of an electrosurgical device, a piezoelectric actuator disposed within the strain relief and configured to bend upon bending of the electrosurgical device, and a bending detection circuit in electrical communication with the piezoelectric actuator and configured to detect a bending of the piezoelectric actuator.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for detecting bending of an electrosurgical device, comprising:
 a strain relief configured to be coupled to a shaft of an electrosurgical device;   a piezoelectric actuator disposed within the strain relief and configured to bend upon bending of the electrosurgical device; and   a bending detection circuit in electrical communication with the piezoelectric actuator and configured to detect a bending of the piezoelectric actuator.   
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator includes a first layer configured to stretch upon bending of the electrosurgical device and a second layer configured to compress upon bending of the electrosurgical device. 
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the bending detection circuit is configured to generate an alarm based on a detection of bending of the piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the bending detection circuit is disposed within an electrosurgical energy source coupled to the electrosurgical device. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the strain relief is configured to be coupled to an outer surface of the shaft of the electrosurgical device. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second layers of the piezoelectric actuator are configured to be coupled to an outer surface of the shaft of the electrosurgical device. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the strain relief is configured to couple to a hub of the electrosurgical device, the hub configured to couple the electrosurgical device to an electrosurgical energy source. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the electrosurgical device is a microwave antenna. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the strain relief is configured to be coaxially disposed around the shaft of the electrosurgical device. 
     
     
         30 . A system for detecting bending of an electrosurgical device, comprising:
 a piezoelectric actuator configured to be coupled to a shaft of an electrosurgical device, the piezoelectric actuator including at least one layer configured to be disposed circumferentially around the shaft of the electrosurgical device and configured to bend upon bending of the electrosurgical device; and   a bending detection circuit in electrical communication with the piezoelectric actuator and configured to detect a bending of the piezoelectric actuator.   
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 30 , wherein the piezoelectric actuator includes two layers configured to be disposed circumferentially around the shaft of the electrosurgical device. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 30 , further comprising a strain relief coupled to the piezoelectric actuator. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein the strain relief is configured to be coupled to an outer surface of the shaft of the electrosurgical device. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein the strain relief is configured to be coaxially disposed around the shaft of the electrosurgical device. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 32 , wherein the strain relief is configured to couple to a hub of the electrosurgical device, the hub configured to couple the electrosurgical device to an electrosurgical energy source. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 30 , wherein the electrosurgical device is a microwave antenna. 
     
     
         37 . An antenna assembly having a bending detection system, comprising:
 an elongated shaft configured to deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue;   a strain relief coupled to a proximal portion of the elongated shaft; and   a bending detection circuit in electrical communication with the strain relief and configured to detect a bending of the strain relief.   
     
     
         38 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 37 , further comprising a piezoelectric actuator disposed within the strain relief and configured to bend upon bending of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         39 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 37 , wherein the strain relief is coupled to a hub of the antenna assembly, the hub coupled to the proximal portion of the elongated shaft and configured to couple the elongated shaft to an electrosurgical energy source. 
     
     
         40 . The antenna assembly according to  claim 37 , wherein the strain relief is coupled to an outer surface of the elongated shaft.