Monopolar electrosurgical return electrode
First Claim
1. A monopolar electrosurgical return electrode comprising:
- a flexible pad doped with a positive temperature coefficient thermistor material, the flexible pad adapted to receive an adhesive conductive gel and arranged to increase in resistance to at least more than 100 Ohms at least 45 degrees Celsius, the pad having a surface area of less than 100 square centimeters;
wherein the thermistor material reduces current density to 100 mA per square centimeter or less at 45 degrees Celsius or higher; and
a conductor attached to the flexible pad.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A monopolar electrosurgical return electrode to prevent unwanted thermal effects in monopolar electrosurgery, accomplished in one aspect by volumetric incorporation of temperature-resistive material of positive nature into a flexible and adhesive return electrode pad is provided. The incorporation of positive temperature coefficient resistance with low resistance at room temperature will increase the local electrical resistance of the pad with an increase of the local return electrode temperature corresponding to a switching of the resistance from low to high value which in turn will lead to a reduction of the local current density. The switching temperature of the positive temperature coefficient return electrode is low enough to prevent significant thermal heating of the patient'"'"'s tissue.
83 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A monopolar electrosurgical return electrode comprising:
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a flexible pad doped with a positive temperature coefficient thermistor material, the flexible pad adapted to receive an adhesive conductive gel and arranged to increase in resistance to at least more than 100 Ohms at least 45 degrees Celsius, the pad having a surface area of less than 100 square centimeters; wherein the thermistor material reduces current density to 100 mA per square centimeter or less at 45 degrees Celsius or higher; and a conductor attached to the flexible pad. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification