Temperature monitoring return electrode

• US 8,231,614 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2007
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dunning, James E., Gadsby, Peter, Gresback, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Peffley, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUPCZEY, JR, RONALD JAMES
• Application Number:
  US11/803,090
• Publication Number:
  US 20080281310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,908 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/374, 600/382, 600/391, 600/392, 606/32, 606/34, 606/41, 606/35, 606/42, 607/142, 607/152, 607/129, 607101-102
• US Class Current: 606/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00797 measured by multiple temperature sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00821 measured by a thermocouple
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1467 using more than two electrodes on a single probe
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0408 Use-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0492 Patch electrodes A61N1/0412, A61N1/0428 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/06 for high-frequency therapy

Abstract

An electrosurgical return electrode is disclosed. The return electrode includes a first and second flexible conductive material layers and a material layer disposed between the first and second conductive material layers. The material layer is transitionable between a solid state and a non-solid state, the material layer is also configured to melt upon an increase in temperature beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby increasing conductivity between the first and second conductive material layer.

Claims

1. An electrosurgical return electrode, comprising:

first and second flexible conductive material layers extending entirely from a first edge to a second edge on the return electrode; and

a material layer disposed between the first and second conductive material layers, the material layer transitionable between a solid state and a non-solid state, the material layer being configured to melt upon an increase in temperature beyond a predetermined threshold, thereby breaking an electrical contact between the first and second conductive material layers.

2. An electrosurgical return electrode according to claim 1, wherein the material layer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of fats, wax, plastic, gel, jelly, and polymer hydrogel.

3. An electrosurgical return electrode according to claim 1, wherein the material layer exhibits a level of flexibility in the solid state during a normal operating temperature.

4. An electrosurgical return electrode according to claim 3, wherein the normal operating temperature is in a range from about 20°

C. to about 37°

C.

5. An electrosurgical return electrode according to claim 1, wherein the material layer has a melting point that approximately coincides with the predetermined threshold.