Patent ID: 7479140
Filing Date: 2009-01-20
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. In combination: a) an electrosurgical apparatus comprising a microcontroller and being capable of being switched via the microcontroller between at least a first electrosurgical mode and a second electrosurgical mode upon the inputting of mode selection signals to the microcontroller, said electrosurgical apparatus when in the first electrosurgical mode generating RF electrosurgical current waveforms capable of performing a first electrosurgical procedure when applied via an electrosurgical electrode to a patient and when in the second electrosurgical mode generating different RF electrosurgical current waveforms capable of performing a second different electrosurgical procedure when applied via the electrosurgical electrode to the patient, b) a family of customized handpieces, each handpiece of the family comprising an electrode integral with and fixed to the handpiece and including means for generating unique control signals representative of mode selection signals, a first handpiece of the family including its electrode being customized for performing the first electrosurgical procedure and being associated with a specific first one of the control signals, a second handpiece of the family including its electrode being customized for performing the second electrosurgical procedure and being associated with a specific second one of the control signals, c) means for connecting each of the handpieces of the family to the apparatus, d) means connected to the microcontroller in response to receipt of the control signals from a connected handpiece of the family for supplying to the integral electrode RF electrosurgical currents in the selected mode customized for the procedure for which the handpiece is customized.