NEUTRAL ELECTRODE DEVICE, ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CORRESPONDING NEUTRAL ELECTRODE DEVICE

• US 20140336644A1
• Filed: 06/20/2014
• Published: 11/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH (C. Erbe GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH (C. Erbe GmbH)
• Inventors: Hagg, Martin, Selig, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 10,524,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/45
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/042 using additional gas becoming plasma
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature

Abstract

In surgery using monopolar HF, there is a constant risk of patients suffering burns at the neutral electrode. Said problem stems from the fact that numerous methods have been devised by which relatively high HF currents are applied for extended periods of time. The present invention solves said problem by providing a neutral electrode, device that is to be used for applying an HF current to a biological tissue. Said improved neutral electrode device comprises at least one latent heat accumulator for absorbing heat. Thus heat peaks can be at least temporarily accumulated until the accumulated thermal energy can be safely released.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A neutral electrode device for application of an HF current to a biological tissue, comprising:

a cooling cushion having at least one latent heat accumulator for absorbing heat; and

at least one electrode, wherein the latent heat accumulator for absorbing thermal energy is arranged on the electrode.

16. The neutral electrode device of claim 15, wherein the latent heat accumulator is arranged flat on the electrode.

17. The neutral electrode device according to one of the claim 15, wherein, on application, the latent heat accumulator is arranged on a side of the electrode facing away from the biological tissue.

18. The neutral electrode device of claim 15, wherein the electrode is made from aluminum.

19. The neutral electrode device of claim 15, wherein the latent heat accumulator comprises a phase change material.

20. The neutral electrode device of claim 19, wherein the phase change material is selected from the paraffin group of materials.

21. The neutral electrode device of claim 19, wherein the phase change material is encapsulated in silicate or synthetic fibers.

22. The neutral electrode device of claim 15, wherein the latent heat accumulator has a melting point which is lower than a maximum temperature at which thermal damage to biological tissue occurs.

23. The neutral electrode device of claim 22, wherein the maximum temperature is lower than 70°

C.

24. The neutral electrode device of claim 22, wherein the maximum temperature is lower than 50°

C.

25. The neutral electrode device of claim 22, wherein the melting point is higher than a minimum temperature, namely higher than 25°

C.

26. The neutral electrode device of claim 15, wherein the neutral electrode device is part of an electrosurgical instrument for coagulating and/or cutting tissue.