Patent ID: 8333760

Claim:
A high frequency generator, for electrical connection to an electrosurgical instrument configured for igniting an arc, comprising: an electrical output terminal for connection to the electrosurgical instrument, a current or voltage source electrically connected to the electrical output terminal, an arc detector, and a power control configured for controlling electrical power delivered through the electrical output terminal to the electrosurgical instrument, wherein the power control is configured to: initially cause delivery of a high output power (P 1 ) to the electrosurgical instrument during an initial cutting support phase for a first predetermined maximum period of time (T 1 ), in which the arc detector is configured to deliver an arc signal, if an arc has ignited at the electrosurgical instrument, and subsequently thereto: if no arc signal was outputted until attainment of the first predetermined maximum period of time (T 1 ) to cause delivery of no power or a lower power (P 3 ) for a second predetermined period of time (T 2 ) of a short pause interval at which no arc occurs, and subsequently to deliver the high power (P 1 ) to the electrosurgical instrument again for the first predetermined maximum period of time (T 1 ), in which the arc detector is configured to deliver the arc signal, if the arc has ignited at the electrosurgical instrument, and if the arc signal was outputted during the initial cutting support phase to cause the high output power (P 1 ) to reduce to a second power (P 2 ) to thereby maintain the arc and enter a cutting phase configured to cut a targeted tissue for a third predetermined period of time (T 3 ) and subsequently, to cause delivery of no power or lower power (P 3 ) for a fourth predetermined period of time (T 4 ) of a long pause interval, at which no arc occurs.