Temperature monitoring return electrode

• US 8,690,867 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2013
• Issued: 04/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Dunning, James E., Gadsby, Peter D., Gresback, David
• Primary Examiner(s): HUPCZEY, JR, RONALD JAMES
• Application Number:
  US13/767,705
• Publication Number:
  US 20130158543A1
• Time in Patent Office: 418 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, 339/54
• 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:

a return electrode pad having a patient-contacting surface configured to conduct electrosurgical energy; and

a ferromagnetic material layer disposed on the return electrode pad, the ferromagnetic material layer having a plurality of temperature sensing switches, the ferromagnetic material layer configured to lose magnetic flux at a predetermined temperature threshold to actuate the plurality of temperature sensing switches.

2. The electrosurgical return electrode according to claim 1, wherein the ferromagnetic material layer is formed from manganese arsenic.

3. The electrosurgical return electrode according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing switches are each selected from a reed switch and a magnetic field sensor.

4. The electrosurgical electrode according to claim 1, wherein actuation of the plurality of temperature sensing switches denotes an increase in temperature beyond the predetermined threshold.

5. The electrosurgical electrode according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of temperature sensing switches are disposed on a flexible substrate.

6. The electrosurgical electrode according to claim 1, wherein current flow to the plurality of temperature sensing switches is provided via a power source.

7. The electrosurgical electrode according to claim 1, wherein a foil layer is positioned between the patient-contacting surface and the ferromagnetic material layer.