Electrosurgical system energy source

Abstract

An energy source for use with an electrosurgical system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the energy source includes a power supply, one or more capacitors coupled to the power supply, and a switching component coupled to the one or more capacitors. The switching component is configured to output pulses of a biphasic waveform. The pulses are capable of treating undesired tissue by inducing a change in voltage potential across cell membranes of a plurality of cells in the undesired tissue to promote non-thermal cell death in the plurality of cells. The pulses are also capable of treating the undesired tissue with no or minimal muscle contractions in patient tissue within reach of the biphasic waveform during treatment of the undesired tissue.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An energy source configured to deliver, via a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of pulses of a biphasic radio frequency (RF) waveform to a target tissue, wherein the biphasic RF waveform operates at a fundamental frequency greater than that which electrically stimulates muscular cells, and wherein the plurality of pulses induce non-thermal cell death in the target tissue without a measurable stimulation in muscular tissue exposed to the biphasic RF waveform. 
     
     
         26 . The energy source of  claim 25 , wherein the energy source comprises an alternating current waveform generator. 
     
     
         27 . The energy source of  claim 25 , wherein the biphasic RF waveform operates at the fundamental frequency of about 330 KHz to about 900 KHz and a peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of about 200 VAC to about 12,000 VAC. 
     
     
         28 . The energy source of  claim 25 , wherein the biphasic RF waveform operates at the fundamental frequency of about 400 KHz to about 500 KHz and a peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of about 5,000 VAC to about 12,000 VAC. 
     
     
         29 . The energy source of  claim 25 , further configured to deliver the plurality of pulses in a plurality of bursts, and wherein each burst includes a number of pulses. 
     
     
         30 . The energy source of  claim 29 , further configured to deliver the number of pulses in each burst at a pulse frequency of about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz. 
     
     
         31 . The energy source of  claim 29 , further configured to delivery the plurality of bursts at a burst frequency of about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz. 
     
     
         32 . An energy source configured to deliver, via a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of pulses of a biphasic alternating current (AC) waveform to a target tissue, wherein the biphasic AC waveform operates at a fundamental frequency greater than that which electrically stimulates muscular cells, and wherein the plurality of pulses induce a change in voltage potential across cell membranes in the target tissue without a measurable effect in muscular tissue exposed to the biphasic AC waveform. 
     
     
         33 . The energy source of  claim 32 , wherein the measurable effect comprises a contraction in the muscular tissue. 
     
     
         34 . The energy source of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of pulses treat the target tissue without perceptible thermal damage to patient tissue surrounding the target tissue. 
     
     
         35 . The energy source of  claim 32 , wherein the biphasic AC waveform operates at the fundamental frequency of about 330 KHz to about 900 KHz and a peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of about 200 VAC to about 12,000 VAC. 
     
     
         36 . The energy source of  claim 32 , wherein the biphasic AC waveform operates at the fundamental frequency of about 400 KHz to about 500 KHz and a peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of about 5,000 VAC to about 12,000 VAC. 
     
     
         37 . The energy source of  claim 32 , further configured to deliver the plurality of pulses in a plurality of bursts, and wherein each burst includes a number of pulses. 
     
     
         38 . The energy source of  claim 37 , further configured to deliver the number of pulses in each burst at a pulse frequency of about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz. 
     
     
         39 . The energy source of  claim 37 , further configured to delivery the plurality of bursts at a burst frequency of about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz. 
     
     
         40 . An energy source configured to deliver, via a first electrode and a second electrode, a series of pulses of a biphasic waveform to a target tissue, wherein the biphasic waveform operates at a fundamental frequency greater than that which electrically excites muscular cells, wherein the series of pulses induce a change in voltage potential across cell membranes of a plurality of cells in the target tissue, and wherein the series of pulses induce non-thermal cell death in the plurality of cells without a measurable excitation of muscular tissue during treatment of the target tissue. 
     
     
         41 . The energy source of  claim 40 , wherein the biphasic waveform operates at the fundamental frequency of about 330 KHz to about 900 KHz and a peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of about 200 VAC to about 12,000 VAC. 
     
     
         42 . The energy source of  claim 40 , wherein the biphasic waveform operates at the fundamental frequency of about 400 KHz to about 500 KHz and a peak-to-peak voltage amplitude of about 5,000 VAC to about 12,000 VAC. 
     
     
         43 . The energy source of  claim 40 , further configured to deliver the series of pulses in a plurality of bursts. 
     
     
         44 . The energy source of  claim 43 , further configured to delivery the plurality of bursts at a burst frequency of about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz.