Wearable return electrodes for electrosurgical systems
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12108984-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
A wearable electrosurgical return electrode includes an outer pad, an inner pad, and a conductive element disposed between the outer pad and the inner pad. The return electrode is formed as a flexible sheath and configured to be worn over at least a portion of a body during use.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a wearable electrosurgical return electrode with a generally tubular shape and a flexible, elastic sheath configured to be secured on and conform to contours of a patient when worn during use. The wearable return electrode includes an inner pad having an outer surface and an outer pad having an inner surface, with a conductive element disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the inner pad and the inner surface of the outer pad.
The conductive element and the pads form separate flexible and elastic layers, and the wearable return electrode is configured to facilitate a capacitive connection to a capacitive connector of an electrosurgical wave generator separate from the wearable return electrode. The wearable return electrode is devoid of any externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive element.
In certain embodiments, the conductive element includes an insulated major surface and an opposing second major surface that is at least partially not insulated, or includes a bus bar disposed along an edge with one bus-bar major surface entirely covered by an insulating layer and at least a portion of the second surface uncovered. The uncovered, non-insulated portion is configured to facilitate the capacitive connection, and the system form includes a capacitive connector selectively connectable to the wearable return electrode through either the inner or outer pad.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a wearable, flexible and elastic, generally tubular electrosurgical return electrode with inner and outer pads and a conductive element that enables capacitive connection to a separate wave generator while remaining devoid of externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive element. Three independent claims define the main inventive coverage: the structure of the wearable electrode, a bus bar with selective insulation for capacitive connection, and an electrosurgical system pairing the wearable electrode with a selectively connectable capacitive connector.
Wearable generally tubular return electrode with inner/outer pads and conductive element layer
A wearable electrosurgical return electrode comprising a generally tubular-shaped sheath with an inner pad having an outer surface and an outer pad having an inner surface, and a conductive element disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the inner pad and the inner surface of the outer pad; the conductive element, inner pad, and outer pad are flexible and elastic so the wearable return electrode is configured to be secured on and conform to contours of a patient when worn during use; the wearable return electrode is devoid of any externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive element; and the conductive element and the inner or outer pad are configured to facilitate a capacitive connection to a capacitive connector of an electrosurgical wave generator separate from the wearable return electrode.
Bus bar along an edge with selective insulation to facilitate capacitive connection
A wearable electrosurgical return electrode comprising a first pad, a second pad, and a conductive element disposed between the first pad and the second pad, the conductive element comprising a bus bar disposed along an edge thereof with a first major surface facing the first pad and a second major surface facing the second pad; the first major surface is entirely covered by an insulating layer and at least a portion of the second surface of the bus bar is uncovered by the insulating layer; the uncovered portion of the second surface of the bus bar and the second pad are configured to facilitate a capacitive connection between the bus bar and an electrical connector of an electrosurgical wave generator; and the wearable return electrode is devoid of any externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive element.
Electrosurgical system with capacitive connector making connection through insulated/non-insulated conductive surfaces
An electrosurgical system comprising a wearable electrosurgical return electrode and a capacitive connector selectively connectable to the wearable electrosurgical return electrode; the wearable electrosurgical return electrode comprises an outer pad, an inner pad, and a conductive element disposed between the outer pad and the inner pad, the conductive element having a first major surface that is insulated and an opposing second major surface that is at least partially not insulated; the wearable return electrode is devoid of any externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive element; and the capacitive connector is configured to make a capacitive electrical connection through either the inner or outer pad and with the non-insulated portion of the conductive element.
Across the independent claims, the inventive coverage centers on a wearable generally tubular return electrode with flexible and elastic pads and a conductive element that provides capacitive coupling to a separate electrosurgical wave generator or connector, while remaining devoid of externally exposed electrical connectors in electrical contact with the conductive element. Two structural options are defined: capacitive connection using an insulated/non-insulated conductive surface configuration, and capacitive connection using an edge bus bar with selective insulation leaving a portion uncovered.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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