Patent ID: 8888770

Claim:
An apparatus for tissue cauterization, comprising: a plurality of electrodes configured for engagement against one or more surfaces of the tissue; a power supply having a plurality of channels that are connectable to the electrodes for applying radio frequency energy thereto, the power supply providing multiple, selectable settings that are based on a tissue to be cauterized, the power supply configured to provide a power delivery profile based on properties of the tissue in a specific electrode location; an automatic feedback system adapted to control the radio frequency energy output from the power supply in real time based upon monitoring by the automatic feedback system of at least two of the following parameters: current, voltage, impedance, energy, power, temperature, and time; and a control mechanism configured to supply radio frequency energy to the tissue through the electrodes from the power supply, and to apply the power via at least two of the electrodes to the tissue for a time and in an amount sufficient to cauterize tissue contacted by the electrodes; wherein the control mechanism is configured to set threshold values associated with the electrodes, the threshold values being provided for determining when an endpoint is approached; wherein the threshold values are determined to be reached based on the monitoring; wherein the apparatus comprises an algorithm program configured to implement an endpoint procedure when a threshold value of the threshold values is reached, wherein the algorithm program continues to provide power to the associated electrodes for a predetermined period of time after the threshold is reached such that an appropriate endpoint is reached so as to assure that cauterization is complete; and wherein the algorithm program is configured to implement an endpoint procedure for each of the plurality of electrodes, wherein power to some of the plurality of electrodes is terminated while power continues to be applied to the other electrodes.