US 5,830,212 AGranted

Electrosurgical generator and electrode

AssigneeNDM Corporation

InventorsRobert Louis Cartmell, David Malcolm Tumey

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Abstract

An electrosurgical generator has an active electrode output connector and a return current connector, the generator providing an electrosurgical current at the active electrode output connector, and including a fault detection circuit for monitoring the proper operation of the generator. An active electrode is connected to the active electrode output connector for receiving the electrosurgical current from the generator and applying the electrosurgical current to a patient. A patient return electrode provides capacitive coupling with the skin of a patient. A patient return electrode cable is electrically connected to the patient return electrode. An interface module is electrically connected to the return current connector of the generator and to the patient return electrode cable for permitting return of the electrosurgical current from the patient to the generator via the patient return electrode and the patient return electrode cable. The interface module electrically simulates to the fault detection circuit of the electrosurgical generator a fault condition when the patient return electrode does not provide sufficient contact with the skin of a patient, whereby operation of the electrosurgical generator is terminated.

Claims17

Dependent claims

Apparatus for performing electrosurgical procedures, comprising:

an electrosurgical generator having an active electrode output connector and a return current connector, said generator providing an electrosurgical current at said active electrode output connector, said generator including a fault detection circuit for monitoring the proper operation of said generator;
an active electrode connected to said active electrode output connector for receiving said electrosurgical current from said generator and applying said electrosurgical current to a patient;
a patient return electrode, said patient return electrode providing capacitive coupling with the skin of a patient;
a patient return electrode cable, electrically connected to said patient return electrode;
and
an interface module electrically connected to said return current connector of said generator and to said patient return electrode cable for permitting return of said electrosurgical current from said patient to said generator via said patient return electrode and said patient return electrode cable, said interface module electrically simulating to said fault detection circuit of said electrosurgical generator a fault condition when the patient return electrode does not provide sufficient contact with the skin of a patient, whereby operation of said electrosurgical generator is terminated.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.