Electrosurgical return electrodes having fabric conductive elements
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11944375-B2
Publication Date
2024-04-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electrosurgical system comprises a return electrode that includes a conductive element disposed between two pads. The conductive element comprises a flexible, conductive fabric material and an electrical bus bar disposed along an edge of the fabric. The return electrode, including the conductive element, is transparent to RF waves and other wavelengths used in medical imaging systems.
Core Innovation
An electrosurgical return electrode includes a first pad and a second pad with a conductive fabric layer disposed between the first and second pads. The electrosurgical return electrode is configured to be wrapped around and generally conform to a substantial portion of a part of the patient's body, and one or more attachment features selectively secure the electrosurgical return electrode around the part of the patient's body.
An electrical bus bar is electrically connected to the conductive fabric layer. The bus bar includes an insulating layer covering a surface of the bus bar that faces towards a patient's body, and an uninsulated portion that is not covered by the insulating layer, and the uninsulated portion of the bus bar and the first or second pad are configured to facilitate a capacitive connection to a capacitive connector of an electrosurgical wave generator external to the first and second pads.
The electrosurgical return electrode is devoid of any externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive fabric layer. The conductive fabric layer and the conductive element include a flexible conductive fabric that is transparent to one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, and the bus bar is disposed along an edge with a first major surface entirely covered by an insulating layer and an uncovered portion of a second major surface configured for the capacitive connection.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three inventive features centered on a wrapped electrosurgical return electrode and electrosurgical system: a conductive fabric element disposed between pads, an edge bus bar with an insulating layer leaving an uninsulated portion for capacitive connection, and an absence of externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive fabric.
Wrapped electrosurgical return electrode with first and second pads and conductive fabric layer
An electrosurgical return electrode comprising a first pad, a second pad, and a conductive fabric layer disposed between the first and second pads, configured to be wrapped around and generally conform to a substantial portion of a part of the patient's body and selectively secured around the part of the patient's body with one or more attachment features.
Edge bus bar with insulating layer and capacitive connection to external wave generator connector
An electrical bus bar electrically connected to the conductive fabric layer, with an insulating layer covering a surface of the bus bar that faces towards a patient's body and an uninsulated portion not covered by the insulating layer, wherein the uninsulated portion of the bus bar and the first or second pad facilitate a capacitive connection to a capacitive connector of an electrosurgical wave generator external to the first and second pads.
Devoid of externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with conductive fabric layer
The electrosurgical return electrode is devoid of any externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive fabric layer.
Flexible conductive fabric transparent to electromagnetic radiation with capacitive bus bar portion
An electrosurgical return electrode comprising a first pad and a second pad and a conductive element between the first and second pads, the conductive element comprising a flexible conductive fabric transparent to one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation and a bus bar disposed along an edge of the flexible conductive fabric, the bus bar having a first major surface entirely covered by an insulating layer and at least a portion of the second major surface uncovered by the insulating layer, wherein the uncovered portion of the second major surface and the second pad facilitate a capacitive connection between the bus bar and an electrical connector of an electrosurgical wave generator.
Electrosurgical return electrode devoid of externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with flexible conductive fabric
The electrosurgical return electrode is devoid of any externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the flexible conductive fabric.
Electrosurgical system using return electrode with removable capacitive connector
An electrosurgical system comprising a return electrode configured to wrap around and generally conform to a substantial portion of a part of a patient's body with one or more attachment features to secure the return electrode around the part of the patient's body, wherein the return electrode is devoid of any externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the flexible conductive fabric.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is for a wrapped electrosurgical return electrode with first and second pads and a conductive fabric element, an edge bus bar having an insulating layer that leaves an uninsulated portion for capacitive connection to an external electrosurgical wave generator connector, and a requirement that the return electrode be devoid of externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive fabric. One independent claim additionally emphasizes a flexible conductive fabric transparent to one or more wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation and bus bar surfaces with the insulating layer fully covering the first major surface and partially covering the second major surface.
Stated Advantages
Enables imaging/ID of RFID-tagged instruments despite placement of the return electrode by being transparent to RF waves and other medical-imaging wavelengths.
Self-limiting return electrode behavior via high effective DC/bulk impedance.
Consistent patient contact for different patient sizes and geometries using adaptable/optional sheathed or wearable configurations.
Reduced risk of current concentration into the patient by use of insulating layers around the bus bar while enabling capacitive connection.
Documented Applications
Imaging/ID of RFID-tagged instruments when the return electrode is placed under imaging/antenna conditions, by transparency to RF waves and other medical-imaging wavelengths.
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