Electrosurgery safety monitor
First Claim
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1. In an electrosurgery system having an active electrode and having a return electrode for connection to the body of a patient, the improvement comprising:
- the return electrode comprising;
a first surface for contact with the body;
ohmic contact means exposed at the first surface for providing ohmic contact to the body;
a first electrically conductive layer isolated electrically from the ohmic contact means;
a dielectric layer interposed between the conductive layer and the first surface;
a first electrical terminal connected to the ohmic contact means; and
a second electrical terminal connected to the first conductive layer;
means connected to the first and second electrical terminals for sensing a capacitance indicative of area of contact between the first surface of the return electrode and the body of the patient; and
means for providing an alarm signal if the area of contact is less than a predetermined amount.
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Abstract
An electrosurgery safety monitor senses a parameter indicative of the area of contact between the return electrode of an electrosurgery system and the body of the patient. An alarm is provided if the area of contact between the return electrode and the body is less than a predetermined amount.
207 Citations
40 Claims
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1. In an electrosurgery system having an active electrode and having a return electrode for connection to the body of a patient, the improvement comprising:
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the return electrode comprising; a first surface for contact with the body; ohmic contact means exposed at the first surface for providing ohmic contact to the body; a first electrically conductive layer isolated electrically from the ohmic contact means; a dielectric layer interposed between the conductive layer and the first surface; a first electrical terminal connected to the ohmic contact means; and a second electrical terminal connected to the first conductive layer; means connected to the first and second electrical terminals for sensing a capacitance indicative of area of contact between the first surface of the return electrode and the body of the patient; and means for providing an alarm signal if the area of contact is less than a predetermined amount. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A return electrode for use in an electrosurgery system, the return electrode having a first surface for contact with a patient'"'"'s body, the return electrode comprising:
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ohmic contact means exposed at the first surface for providing ohmic contact to the patient'"'"'s body; a first electrically conductive layer isolated electrically from the ohmic contact means; a dielectric layer overlying the first conductive layer and interposed between the first conductive layer and the first surface; a first electrical terminal connected to the ohmic contact means; and a second electrical terminal connected to the first conductive layer;
wherein capacitance between the first and second electrical terminals is indicative of the area of contact between the first surface of the return electrode and the body. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification