Universal self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode
First Claim
1. A reversible safety electrosurgical return electrode comprising:
- a conductive element configured to conduct electrical current, the conductive element having a first planar major surface and an opposing second planar major surface, the first planar major surface and the second planar major surface facing in opposite directions from one another;
a first pad positioned adjacent the first planar major surface of the conductive element, wherein the first pad and the conductive element cooperate to define a first working surface of the reversible electrosurgical return electrode on a first side of the reversible electrosurgical return electrode; and
a second pad positioned adjacent the second planar major surface of the conductive element such that the conductive element is disposed between and at least partially separates the first pad and the second pad from one another, wherein the second pad and the conductive element cooperate to define a second working surface of the reversible electrosurgical return electrode on a second side of the reversible electrosurgical return electrode opposite to the first side, the first working surface and the second working surface facing in opposite directions from one another,wherein the reversible electrosurgical return electrode is configured to have either the first working surface or the second working surface positioned toward a patient during an electrosurgical procedure such that either the first working surface or the second working surface is positioned between the patient and the conductive element and such that electrical current can be transferred between the patient and the conductive element through whichever of the first working surface or the second working surface is disposed between the patient and the conductive element.
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Abstract
A self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode for use with electrosurgical procedures is disclosed. The return electrode includes a conductive element and pads disposed on opposing sides of the conductive element. The conductive element, optionally in combination with the pads, is configured to limit the density of electrical current that passes from a patient to the return electrode. The conductive element and the pads can cooperate to define two separate working surfaces on opposing sides of the return electrode. The return electrode can also be safely used with patients of substantially any size and without requiring adjustments to the power settings of an electrosurgical generator.
70 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A reversible safety electrosurgical return electrode comprising:
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a conductive element configured to conduct electrical current, the conductive element having a first planar major surface and an opposing second planar major surface, the first planar major surface and the second planar major surface facing in opposite directions from one another; a first pad positioned adjacent the first planar major surface of the conductive element, wherein the first pad and the conductive element cooperate to define a first working surface of the reversible electrosurgical return electrode on a first side of the reversible electrosurgical return electrode; and a second pad positioned adjacent the second planar major surface of the conductive element such that the conductive element is disposed between and at least partially separates the first pad and the second pad from one another, wherein the second pad and the conductive element cooperate to define a second working surface of the reversible electrosurgical return electrode on a second side of the reversible electrosurgical return electrode opposite to the first side, the first working surface and the second working surface facing in opposite directions from one another, wherein the reversible electrosurgical return electrode is configured to have either the first working surface or the second working surface positioned toward a patient during an electrosurgical procedure such that either the first working surface or the second working surface is positioned between the patient and the conductive element and such that electrical current can be transferred between the patient and the conductive element through whichever of the first working surface or the second working surface is disposed between the patient and the conductive element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for safely transferring electrosurgical current in non-uniform current densities from a patient to an electrosurgical return electrode via capacitive coupling, comprising:
passively controlling an impedance of the return electrode, comprising; providing a plurality of apertures through a conductive element of the electrosurgical return electrode, the plurality of apertures being divided into a first area and a second area, the first area having a first aperture distribution density and the second area having a second aperture distribution density that is different than the first aperture distribution density, each of the first area and the second area having one or more visual indicators to identify and/or distinguish the first area and the second area from one another, wherein; the first aperture distribution density is configured to transfer electrical current between the conductive element and a patient at a first electrical current density such that the first area is configured for use with patients from a first predetermined category; and the second aperture distribution density is configured to transfer electrical current between the conductive element and a patient at a second electrical current density such that the second area is configured for use with patients from a second predetermined category; and positioning a patient on the first area or the second area depending on whether the patient is from the first predetermined category or the second predetermined category. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
Specification