Patent · US Expired

Capacitive reusable electrosurgical return electrode

US6582424B2 · kind B2 · utility

316Cited by
29References
50Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 24, 2001
Grant dateJun 24, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 8, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S128/908
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A capacitive reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. Through selection of the electrode geometries and the impedance characteristics of the electrode, the electrode is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The electrosurgical return electrode can include a connector and a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 100,000 &OHgr;·cm. The electrode can have a working surface area from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches (or about 70 to about 10,000 square centimeters). The electrode can be disposed on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. This very large working surface area eliminates the need for direct contact or contact through conducting gels and by employing washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.