Abstract: Fluid management in surgical procedures. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: pumping surgical fluid through a tube to a surgical site by a fluid controller operating in a first mode, the first mode comprising a first relationship of fluid flow and pressure drop across the tube and cannula, and the first mode comprising a first set of proportional, integral, and differential (PID) parameters; and then pumping surgical fluid through the tube to the surgical site with the fluid controller operating in a second mode, the second mode comprising a second relationship of fluid flow and pressure drop across the tube and cannula, the second relationship different than the first relationship, and the second mode comprising a second set of PID parameters used, the second set of PID parameters different than the first set of PID parameters.

Abstract: Mechanical resection instruments with outflow control. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: receiving an indication of a first rotational mode of a mechanical resection instrument coupled to a motor of a motor drive unit (MDU); controlling rotation of the rotating portion of the mechanical resection instrument by controlling the motor, the controlling in conformance with the indication of the first rotational mode; setting a first outflow rate through the mechanical resection instrument based on the indication of the first rotational mode; drawing fluid through the mechanical resection instrument at the first outflow rate during a surgical procedure, the drawing by way of the pump controlled by the controller; sensing a parameter indicative of resection by the mechanical resection instrument; and changing a rate at which fluid is drawn through the mechanical resection instrument, the changing relative to the first outflow rate.

Abstract: A method comprising sealing a vessel residing within tissue between jaws of forceps by sensing an amount of tissue held within the forceps, the sensing by passing electrical current through the tissue by way of the forceps. The method comprises heating the tissue using electrical current, the heating such that impedance of the tissue changes at a first predetermined rate, the first predetermined rate selected based on the sensing. The method comprises desiccating the tissue using electrical current, such that the impedance of the tissue changes at a second predetermined rate different than the first predetermined rate. The method comprises ceasing application of the electrical current to the tissue when impedance of the tissue reaches a predetermined value. Sensing the amount of tissue held within the forceps comprises varying electrical current flowing through the tissue through the forceps such that impedance of the tissue changes at a third predetermined rate.

Abstract: A method comprising sealing a vessel residing within tissue between jaws of forceps by sensing an amount of tissue held within the forceps, the sensing by passing electrical current through the tissue by way of the forceps. The method comprises heating the tissue using electrical current, the heating such that impedance of the tissue changes at a first predetermined rate, the first predetermined rate selected based on the sensing. The method comprises desiccating the tissue using electrical current, such that the impedance of the tissue changes at a second predetermined rate different than the first predetermined rate. The method comprises ceasing application of the electrical current to the tissue when impedance of the tissue reaches a predetermined value. Sensing the amount of tissue held within the forceps comprises varying electrical current flowing through the tissue through the forceps such that impedance of the tissue changes at a third predetermined rate.

Abstract: Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods for detecting that an electrosurgical wand is effected by a blockage, including supplying a high frequency energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand; drawing an electrically conductive fluid from the vicinity of the active electrode; sensing a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the electrically conductive fluid drawn from the vicinity of the active electrode; and cycling the high frequency energy supplied upon the temperature of the electrically conductive fluid drawn from the vicinity of the active electrode exceeding a first threshold temperature.

Abstract: Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods that include: supplying energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the supplying energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller; monitoring an electrical parameter associated with the energy; and determining, based on the electrical parameter, the presence of a wand condition of the electrosurgical wand, the wand condition being at least one selected from the group consisting of: a surface area of the active electrode is less than a predetermined threshold surface area; the surface area of the active electrode is approaching the predetermined threshold surface area; and that the electrosurgical wand is affected by a blockage.

Abstract: Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods for detecting that an electrosurgical wand is effected by a blockage, including supplying a high frequency energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand; drawing an electrically conductive fluid from the vicinity of the active electrode; sensing a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the electrically conductive fluid drawn from the vicinity of the active electrode; and cycling the high frequency energy supplied upon the temperature of the electrically conductive fluid drawn from the vicinity of the active electrode exceeding a first threshold temperature.

Abstract: Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods that include: supplying energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the supplying energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller; monitoring an electrical parameter associated with the energy; and determining, based on the electrical parameter, the presence of a wand condition of the electrosurgical wand, the wand condition being at least one selected from the group consisting of: a surface area of the active electrode is less than a predetermined threshold surface area; the surface area of the active electrode is approaching the predetermined threshold surface area; and that the electrosurgical wand is affected by a blockage.

Abstract: Mechanical resection instruments with outflow control. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: receiving an indication of a first rotational mode of a mechanical resection instrument coupled to a motor of a motor drive unit (MDU); controlling rotation of the rotating portion of the mechanical resection instrument by controlling the motor, the controlling in conformance with the indication of the first rotational mode; setting a first outflow rate through the mechanical resection instrument based on the indication of the first rotational mode; drawing fluid through the mechanical resection instrument at the first outflow rate during a surgical procedure, the drawing by way of the pump controlled by the controller; sensing a parameter indicative of resection by the mechanical resection instrument; and changing a rate at which fluid is drawn through the mechanical resection instrument, the changing relative to the first outflow rate.

Abstract: Fluid management in surgical procedures. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: pumping surgical fluid through a tube to a surgical site by a fluid controller operating in a first mode, the first mode comprising a first relationship of fluid flow and pressure drop across the tube and cannula, and the first mode comprising a first set of proportional, integral, and differential (PID) parameters; and then pumping surgical fluid through the tube to the surgical site with the fluid controller operating in a second mode, the second mode comprising a second relationship of fluid flow and pressure drop across the tube and cannula, the second relationship different than the first relationship, and the second mode comprising a second set of PID parameters used, the second set of PID parameters different than the first set of PID parameters.

Abstract: Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods that include: supplying energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the supplying energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller; monitoring an electrical parameter associated with the energy; and determining, based on the electrical parameter, the presence of a wand condition of the electrosurgical wand, the wand condition being at least one selected from the group consisting of: a surface area of the active electrode is less than a predetermined threshold surface area; the surface area of the active electrode is approaching the predetermined threshold surface area; and that the electrosurgical wand is affected by a blockage.

Abstract: Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods for detecting that an electrosurgical wand is effected by a blockage, including supplying a high frequency energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand; drawing an electrically conductive fluid from the vicinity of the active electrode; sensing a temperature signal indicative of a temperature of the electrically conductive fluid drawn from the vicinity of the active electrode; and cycling the high frequency energy supplied upon the temperature of the electrically conductive fluid drawn from the vicinity of the active electrode exceeding a first threshold temperature.

Abstract: Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein, the system including an electrosurgical probe with an active electrode disposed near the probe distal end, a system with a power supply for delivery of voltage to the active electrode and a controller that receives and processes a signal from a current sensor and a temperature sensor. The current sensor measures the current output of the power supply and the temperature sensor is adjacent an electrically conductive fluid located at a target site. The controller may be programmed to operate in a low voltage mode that limits the power supply to a low voltage output so as to determine whether the current output from the current sensor is within a current output range. This range is defined by predetermined upper and lower limits that are modified by at least one measured value.

Abstract: Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods that include: supplying energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the supplying energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller; monitoring an electrical parameter associated with the energy; and determining, based on the electrical parameter, the presence of a wand condition of the electrosurgical wand, the wand condition being at least one selected from the group consisting of: a surface area of the active electrode is less than a predetermined threshold surface area; the surface area of the active electrode is approaching the predetermined threshold surface area; and that the electrosurgical wand is affected by a blockage.

Abstract: A method comprising sealing a vessel residing within tissue between jaws of forceps by sensing an amount of tissue held within the forceps, the sensing by passing electrical current through the tissue by way of the forceps. The method comprises heating the tissue using electrical current, the heating such that impedance of the tissue changes at a first predetermined rate, the first predetermined rate selected based on the sensing. The method comprises desiccating the tissue using electrical current, such that the impedance of the tissue changes at a second predetermined rate different than the first predetermined rate. The method comprises ceasing application of the electrical current to the tissue when impedance of the tissue reaches a predetermined value. Sensing the amount of tissue held within the forceps comprises varying electrical current flowing through the tissue through the forceps such that impedance of the tissue changes at a third predetermined rate.

Abstract: Electrosurgical systems and methods are described herein, the system including an electrosurgical probe with an active electrode disposed near the probe distal end, a system with a power supply for delivery of voltage to the active electrode and a controller that receives and processes a signal from a current sensor and a temperature sensor. The current sensor measures the current output of the power supply and the temperature sensor is adjacent an electrically conductive fluid located at a target site. The controller may be programmed to operate in a low voltage mode that limits the power supply to a low voltage output so as to determine whether the current output from the current sensor is within a current output range. This range is defined by predetermined upper and lower limits that are modified by at least one measured value.

Abstract: Electrosurgical procedures. At least some of the example methods that include: supplying energy to an active electrode of an electrosurgical wand, the supplying energy to the active electrode by an electrosurgical controller; monitoring an electrical parameter associated with the energy; and determining, based on the electrical parameter, the presence of a wand condition of the electrosurgical wand, the wand condition being at least one selected from the group consisting of: a surface area of the active electrode is less than a predetermined threshold surface area; the surface area of the active electrode is approaching the predetermined threshold surface area; and that the electrosurgical wand is affected by a blockage.