Return pad cable connector

• US 7,182,604 B2
• Filed: 05/31/2002
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Ehr, Chris J., Schoenman, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): PAUMEN, GARY F
• Application Number:
  US10/478,343
• Publication Number:
  US 20050079752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 439/909,38,886 600/372,394 606/32,35 607/152,142,149 128/908
• US Class Current: 439/38
• 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 operable to connect to an electrosurgical energy source; and

a connector operatively coupled to the cord, the connector comprising;

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 a conductive surface of the return pad therebetween, wherein the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to at least one of the magnets such that when the connector is magnetically coupled to the conductive surface of the return pad, energy is permitted to pass from the return pad to the electrosurgical energy source via the conductive wire.

2. The return pad cable connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the magnets is made from an electrically conductive material.

3. The return pad cable connector according to claim 1, 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 the at least one electrical contact.

4. The return pad cable connector according to claim 1, wherein the conductive wire of the cord extends from a side of the substrate which is either parallel to the fold line or transverse to the fold line.

5. The return pad cable connector according to claim 1, wherein each magnet is coupled to the substrate via a pin passing through the magnet and into the substrate.

6. The return pad cable connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector further includes respective electrical contacts disposed on the surface of each magnet and wherein the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to each of the electrical contacts.