Patent ID: 8303583

Claim:
An electrosurgical system comprising: an electrosurgical generator for generating radio frequency (RF) power at a generator operating frequency, and an electrosurgical instrument coupled to the generator, the generator comprising a single source of RF power with a multiple-phase RF output stage having at least three outputs for coupling to respective electrodes of the electrosurgical instrument for delivering RF power to the electrodes, the configuration of the output stage being such that respective continuous RF output voltage waveforms are simultaneously delivered across respective pairs of said three generator outputs at the operating frequency, each such waveform being phase-displaced between 10°-170° with respect to the waveforms delivered across the respective other pairs of the three outputs, the electrosurgical instrument comprising at least three treatment electrodes, each treatment electrode being coupled to a respective one of the generator outputs for receiving RF power from the output stage of the generator, and the generator being constructed and arranged, such that the magnitude of the RF output voltage waveforms delivered to at least first and second pairs of said generator outputs being sufficient to allow simultaneous tissue cutting and coagulation at the respective treatment electrodes connected to the first and second pairs of said generator outputs when the system is used for tissue treatment.