Multi-Layer Return Electrode

• US 20090209953A1
• Filed: 01/16/2009
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Schoenman, Arthur L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,486,059 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00678 upper
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature

Abstract

An electrosurgical return pad including a material backing configured to support first and second conductive materials and an insulative layer disposed therebetween. A switch element is mounted on the first conductive material and is activatable upon reaching a threshold condition, such as temperature. Upon reaching the threshold condition, the switch element automatically activates to provide electrical continuity between the first and second conductive materials to offset the threshold condition.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical return pad, comprising:

a material backing configured to support first and second conductive materials and at least an insulative layer disposed therebetween, at least the first conductive material oriented for contacting patient tissue; and

at least one switch element disposed on at least the first conductive material and activatable upon reaching a threshold condition;

wherein upon reaching the threshold condition, the at least one switch element automatically activates to provide electrical continuity between the first and second conductive materials to offset the threshold condition.

2. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 1 wherein the switch element includes at least one switch component formed from a shape-memory material.

3. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 2, wherein the threshold condition is a pre-determined temperature and the shape-memory material transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state upon reaching the pre-determined temperature to automatically activate the at least one switch component of the at least one switch element to provide electrical continuity between the first and second conductive materials.

4. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 2, wherein the shape memory material includes an alloy selected from the group consisting of nitinol and flexinol.

5. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 1, wherein the switch element mechanically deforms to provide electrical continuity between the first and second conductive materials.

6. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 1, wherein the switch element electrically activates to provide electrical continuity between the first and second conductive materials.

7. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 1, wherein the switch element is selected from the group consisting of piezo-electric switches, piezo-electric sensors, impedance switches and temperature switches.

8. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 1, wherein the return pad further includes:

at least one conductive adhesive disposed between one of the first and second conducive materials and the insulative layer.

9. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 1, wherein the return pad further includes:

a border disposed about the periphery of at least one of the first and second conductive materials which supports a release liner thereon.

10. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 1, wherein the threshold condition is a pre-determined temperature.

11. An electrosurgical return pad, comprising:

a material backing configured to support first and second conductive materials and at least an insulative layer disposed therebetween, at least the first conductive material oriented for contacting patient tissue; and

a switch element disposed on at least the first conductive material and activatable upon reaching a predetermined temperature, the switch element including a shape memory material that deforms from an austenitic state to a martensitic state upon reaching the pre-determined temperature to automatically provide electrical continuity between the first and second conductive materials by piercing the insulative layer disposed therebetween.

12. An electrosurgical return pad according to claim 11, wherein the threshold condition is a pre-determined temperature.

13. An electrosurgical return pad, comprising:

a material backing configured to support first and second conductive materials and at least an insulative layer disposed therebetween, at least the first conductive material oriented for contacting patient tissue;

at least one switch element disposed on at least the first conductive material and adapted to communicate with an electrosurgical generator; and

at least one temperature sensor operably coupled to at least the first conductive material, the temperature sensor being adapted to communicate with the electrosurgical generator;

wherein upon reaching a pre-determined temperature, the temperature sensor communicates with the electrosurgical generator to activate the switch element to provide electrical continuity between the first and second conductive material to offset the threshold condition.