Technique for bonding soft biological tissue having an incision therein
with forceps adapted to grip a portion of tissue on both sides of
incision. Electrodes are secured to forceps for contracting the tissue
portion. An electrical power source provides a high frequency electrical
signal to electrodes to be passed through the tissue portion. The
electrical power source is controlled to provide electrodes with one
voltage signal during a first of two stages, wherein the voltage rises
linearly, and another voltage signal during a second of the two stages,
wherein the voltage is stabilized and modulated with a low frequency
rectangular signal. A clamping means applies force with the forceps to
compress the tissue at one or different levels during two time periods
while the high frequency voltage is passed through the electrodes. The
tissue impedance is measured as a function of time, with its minimal
value being determined and stored.