Electrosurgical device
First Claim
1. A radio-frequency electrosurgical device which comprises a radio-frequency generator, a power lead and a return lead, means for coupling the power lead and the return lead to the radio-frequency generator, an active electrosurgical electrode, means for coupling the power lead to the active electrosurgical electrode to power the active electrode, a passive electrode, means for coupling the passive electrode to the return lead, alternate path return means for coupling the return lead to ground at a point between the passive electrode and the radio-frequency generator, and means in the alternate path return means for indicating a predetermined radio-frequency return in the alternate path return means wherein the means in the alternate path return means includes a primary return path winding, and the device includes a secondary winding transformer coupled to the primary winding and a relay connected to and powered by the secondary winding.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radio-frequency electrosurgical device which includes an active electrode, a passive electrode, and means for generating a radio-frequency potential. The generating means induces the radio-frequency potential on a primary winding of an isolation transformer. The secondary winding of the isolation transformer powers the active electrode. One end of the secondary winding of the isolation transformer is coupled to a return lead connected to the passive electrode and also is coupled to ground through a primary winding of a second transformer. If the passive electrode is disconnected from the return line, there can be an alternate radio-frequency current return path to ground, and a potential is developed across the primary winding of the second transformer. This potential is used to energize a relay to actuate an alarm and to disable the radio-frequency generator if the passive electrode becomes disconnected.
192 Citations
4 Claims
- 1. A radio-frequency electrosurgical device which comprises a radio-frequency generator, a power lead and a return lead, means for coupling the power lead and the return lead to the radio-frequency generator, an active electrosurgical electrode, means for coupling the power lead to the active electrosurgical electrode to power the active electrode, a passive electrode, means for coupling the passive electrode to the return lead, alternate path return means for coupling the return lead to ground at a point between the passive electrode and the radio-frequency generator, and means in the alternate path return means for indicating a predetermined radio-frequency return in the alternate path return means wherein the means in the alternate path return means includes a primary return path winding, and the device includes a secondary winding transformer coupled to the primary winding and a relay connected to and powered by the secondary winding.
Specification