Return electrode pad with conductive element grid and method
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical return electrode for use in monopolar surgery, comprising:
- a conductive pad including a plurality of conductive elements, the conductive pad defining a perimeter; and
a plurality of temperature sensors, each temperature sensor being operatively engaged with a respective one of the plurality of conductive elements, wherein each temperature sensor measures a temperature of a portion of a patient in contact with the respective conductive element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical return electrode for use in monopolar surgery is disclosed. The return electrode includes a conductive pad which includes a plurality of conductive elements, forming a grid. A plurality of temperature sensors are each operatively engaged with a respective one of the plurality of conductive elements. A connection device is capable of selectively transferring radio frequency current from an active electrode to each of the plurality of conductive elements. The connection device may be connected and/or disconnected to a conductive element when a temperature sensor senses a predetermined temperature or range of temperatures. Specifically, if the temperature of a portion of the patient is too high, the corresponding conductive element may be disconnected from the connection device. If the temperature of a portion of the patient is low enough, the corresponding conductive element can be connected (or reconnected) to the connection device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical return electrode for use in monopolar surgery, comprising:
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a conductive pad including a plurality of conductive elements, the conductive pad defining a perimeter; and
a plurality of temperature sensors, each temperature sensor being operatively engaged with a respective one of the plurality of conductive elements, wherein each temperature sensor measures a temperature of a portion of a patient in contact with the respective conductive element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An electrosurgical return electrode for use in monopolar surgery, comprising:
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a conductive pad including a plurality of conductive elements forming a grid;
a connection device enabling selective transfer of radio frequency current from an active electrode to each of the plurality of conductive elements; and
a plurality of temperature sensors, each temperature sensor being operatively engaged with a respective one of the plurality of conductive elements, wherein each temperature sensor measures the temperature of a portion of a patient in contact with the respective conductive element, wherein, the connection device may be at least one of connected, disconnected, activated, deactivated, and adjusted to a conductive element when the temperature of the portion of the patient reaches a predetermined level.
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18. A method for performing monopolar surgery, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an electrosurgical return electrode comprising;
a conductive pad including a plurality of conductive elements;
a connection device which selectively enables the transfer of radio frequency energy to each of the plurality of conductive elements; and
a plurality of temperature sensors, each temperature sensor being operatively engaged with a respective conductive element;
placing the electrosurgical return electrode in contact with a patient;
generating electrosurgical energy via an electrosurgical generator;
supplying the electrosurgical energy to the patient via an active electrode;
measuring the temperature of each portion of the patient in contact with the plurality of conductive elements via the plurality of temperature sensors; and
monitoring the temperature of each portion of the patient in contact with the plurality of conductive elements, wherein a conductive element is at least one of disconnected and deactivated from the connection device when the portion of the patient in contact therewith reaches a predetermined temperature. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. An electrosurgical system for performing electrosurgery on a patient, the electrosurgical system comprising:
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an electrosurgical generator to produce electrosurgical energy; and
a return electrode selectively connectable to the electrosurgical generator, the return electrode including;
a conductive pad including a plurality of conductive elements; and
a plurality of temperature sensors, each temperature sensor being operatively engaged with a respective one of the plurality of conductive elements, wherein each temperature sensor measures a temperature of a portion of a patient in contact with the respective conductive element.
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Specification