Return pad cable connector

• US 20050079752A1
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Published: 04/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ehr, Chris J, Schoenman, Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 7,182,604 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/371
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/16 Indifferent or passive electrodes for grounding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/048 Electrodes characterised by a specific connection between lead and electrode
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/22 End pieces terminating in a spring clip
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/04 using electrically conductive adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/26 Connections in which at least one of the connecting parts has projections which bite into or engage the other connecting part in order to improve the contact H01R4/188, H01R4/203, H01R4/5075 take precedence; using shape memory materials H01R4/01
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/908 Patient protection from electric shock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/909 Medical use or attached to human body

Abstract

A return pad cable connector, in accordance with the present disclosure, for use with a disposable return pad, includes a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which conductive wire interconnects the return pad cable connector to an electrosurgical energy source. The return pad further includes a connector operatively coupled to the cord, the connector having a conductive surface which is selectively engageable with a corresponding conductive surface disposed on the return pad, the conductive surface of the connector including a conductive adhesive disposed thereon and a non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the connector for engagement with a corresponding non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the return pad. The connector can include a magnet for magnetically coupling the connector to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad.

Claims

1. A return pad cable connector for use with a disposable return pad, comprising:

a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which connects to an electrosurgical energy source;

a connector which operatively couples to the cord having;

a conductive surface which is selectively engageable with a corresponding conductive surface disposed on the return pad, the conductive surface of the connector including a conductive adhesive disposed thereon; and

a non-conductive adhesive disposed about the periphery of the conductive surface of the connector for engagement with a corresponding non-conductive adhesive disposed about the periphery of the conductive surface of the return pad.

2. The return pad cable connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes at least two conductive surfaces which correspondingly mate with at least two conductive surfaces on the return pad.

3. The return pad cable connector according to claim 1, wherein the cord-to-pad connector comprises:

a base element including a handle and a fixed jaw having a conductive surface affixed to an inner surface thereof, and wherein the distal end of said conductive wire passes through the base element and operatively engages the conductive surface; and

a return pad clamp pivotally mounted to the base element, the cord-to-pad connector being positionable between an open position wherein the return pad clamp is spaced from the fixed jaw and a closed position wherein the return pad clamp is in contact with the fixed jaw.

4. The return pad cable connector according to claim 3, wherein the return pad clamp includes a moveable jaw and a clamping lever depending therefrom and extending along the handle.

5. The return pad cable connector according to claim 4, wherein the connector further includes a locking mechanism configured and adapted to selectively maintain the connector in the closed position.

6. The return pad cable connector according to claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism includes a latch projecting from the clamping lever of the return pad clamp;

and

a locking rail projecting from a locking aperture formed in the handle, wherein the latch operatively engages the locking rail.

7. The return pad cable connector according to claim 3, wherein the return pad includes an interface having a conductive surface disposed thereon.

8. The return pad cable connector according to claim 7, wherein the conductive surface of the return pad interface is configured and adapted to operatively engage the conductive surface of the base element of the connector thereby establishing an electrical connection between the return pad and the connector.

9. The return pad cable connector according to claim 8, wherein an adhesive is disposed between the conductive surface of the return interface and the conductive surface of the base element.

10. The return pad cable connector according to claim 9, wherein the adhesive is conductive.

11. The return pad cable connector according to claim 1, wherein the return pad connector selectably electrically couples the removable return pad to an electrosurgical generator.

12. A return pad cable connector for use with a disposable return pad, comprising:

a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which connects to an electrosurgical energy source;

a connector which operatively couples to the cord having;

a base element including a handle and a fixed jaw having a conductive surface affixed to an inner surface thereof, and wherein the distal end of said conductive wire passes through the base element and operatively engages the conductive surface; and

a return pad clamp pivotally mounted to the base element, the cord-to-pad connector being positionable between an open position wherein the return pad clamp is spaced from the fixed jaw and a closed position wherein the return pad clamp is in contact with the fixed jaw.

13. A return pad cable connector for use with a disposable return pad, comprising:

a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which connects to an electrosurgical energy source;

a connector which operatively couples to the cord, the connector having at least one magnet disposed thereon for magnetically coupling the connector to a conductive surface disposed on the return pad, wherein when the connector is magnetically coupled to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad energy is permitted to pass from the return pad to the electrosurgical energy source via the conductive wire.

14. The return pad cable connector according to claim 13, wherein the at least one electrically conductive magnet is made from an electrically conductive material and wherein the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to the at least one magnet.

15. The return pad cable connector according to claim 13, the connector further includes at least one electrical contact disposed on the surface of at least one of the magnets and wherein the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to each of the at least one electrical contacts.

16. The return pad cable connector according to claim 13, wherein the connector comprises:

a flexible substrate having a first portion and a second portion integrally connected to the first portion, the first and second portion defining a fold line therebetween; and

a magnet disposed on each of the first and second portions of the flexible substrate in order to sandwich the conductive surface of the return pad therebetween, wherein the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to the magnet, such that when the connector is magnetically coupled to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad, energy is permitted to pass from the return pad to the electrosurgical energy source via the conductive wire.

17. The return pad cable connector according to claim 16, wherein at least the magnet electrically coupled to the conductive wire is made from an electrically conductive material.

18. The return pad cable connector according to claim 16, wherein the connector further includes at least one electrical contact disposed on the surface of the magnet which is electrically coupled to the conductive wire and wherein the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to each of the at least one electrical contacts.

19. The return pad cable connector according to claim 16, wherein the conductive wire of the cord extends from a side of the substrate which is parallel to the fold line or transverse to the fold line.

20. The return pad cable connector according to claim 16, wherein each magnet is coupled to the substrate via a pin passing through the magnet and into the substrate.