US5042981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Assembly comprising a surgical drape and a contour-type electrosurgical dispersive electrode, and method for its use
Assignee: INVAP SE
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Filing: 1989-05-03
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Granted: 1991-08-27
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Expires: 2009-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An assembly of a contour-type electrosurgical dispersive electrode and a surgical drape, the electrode having a contact surface with the skin in which its perimeter electrically and/or geometrically bounds a region of the surface of the body which contains the surgical field. The electrode is formed by one or more electrically conductive zones linked together conductively and/or capacitively.
Inventors
- 👤 Julio R. F. Gross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/16; A61B2018/167
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An assembly for providing a dispersive radiofrequency current return path in an electrosurgical procedure, said assembly comprising: strip-shaped conductive electrode means shaped and sized for directly contacting the skin of the patient, adjacent to and at least partially surrounding a surgical field of said electrosurgical procedure; and surgical drape material bonded to one side of said electrode means, and shaped and sized so as to cover said surgical field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An assembly for providing a dispersive radiofrequency current return path in an electrosurgical procedure, said assembly comprising: strip-shaped conductive electrode means shaped and sized for directly contacting the skin of the patient, adjacent to and at least partially surrounding a surgical field of said electrosurgical procedure; and surgical drape material bonded to one side of said electrode means, and shaped and sized so as to cover said surgical field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said electrode means includes an electrode which is shaped so as to define an enclosed angle of at least 180° in order to at least partially surround said surgical field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
An assembly as in claim 2, wherein said electrode is U-shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly as in claim 2, wherein said electrode is shaped as a closed curve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said electrode means comprises: a plurality of conductive zones; and capacitive means interconnecting said conductive zones for conducting radiofrequency current therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said electrode means comprises: a plurality of conductive zones; and conductive means interconnecting said conductive zones for conducting radiofrequency current therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as in claim 1, further comprising radiopaque means associated with said electrode means for radioscopically indicating the location of the surgical field.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is disposed on said surgical drape material so as to adhere said assembly to said patient both within and outside said surgical field as defined by said electrode means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said surgical drape material is polyurethane.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly as in claim 9, wherein said surgical drape material is about 25-50 microns thick.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said electrode means includes an aluminum electrode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as in claim 11, further comprising plastic strengthening means intermediate said electrode and said surgical drape material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as in claim 12, wherein said strengthening means is a biocompatible plastic layer overlaying said electrode and about 23-100 microns thick.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly as in claim 13, wherein said plastic layer is polyester.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly as in claim 13, wherein said plastic layer is cellulose acetate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An assembly as in claim 12, further comprising an aluminum auxiliary electrode intermediate said plastic strengthening means and said surgical drape material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as in claim 16, wherein said electrode and said auxiliary electrode are both about 10-15 microns thick.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
An assembly as in claim 16, further comprising an adhesive layer attached to said surgical drape material, said auxiliary electrode, said plastic strengthening means, and said electrode and adapted for being adhered to the skin of the patient.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly as in claim 18, wherein said adhesive layer comprises polyethylene.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
An assembly as in claim 18, wherein said adhesive layer comprises acrylic.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said assembly is at most about 190 microns thick.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as in claim 1, wherein said electrode means and said surgical drape material are constructed to be easily incisible by a standard scalpel.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
47 words
In combination, an assembly as in claim 1, said assembly being sterile, and further comprising a sterile cable secured to said electrode means, said assembly and said cable being contained in package means for permitting said assembly and said cable to be vended while maintaining their sterility.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electrosurgical method employing an active electrode and comprising the steps of: forming a scalpel-penetrable assembly which includes a thin strip-shaped dispersive electrode bonded to surgical drape material; defining the surgical field for a surgical procedure to be performed; and forming a low-impedance path from the active electrode to ground by grounding said dispersive electrode and adhering said assembly to the patient's skin with the electrode close to and at least partially surrounding the dispersive surgical field, and the surgical drape material covering the surgical field.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electrosurgical method employing an active electrode and comprising the steps of: forming a scalpel-penetrable assembly which includes a thin strip-shaped dispersive electrode bonded to surgical drape material; defining the surgical field for a surgical procedure to be performed; and forming a low-impedance path from the active electrode to ground by grounding said dispersive electrode and adhering said assembly to the patient's skin with the electrode close to and at least partially surrounding the dispersive surgical field, and the surgical drape material covering the surgical field.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as in claim 24, which includes controlling the current distribution path within the patient's body so as to substantially avoid alternatesite burns and shock hazards.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method as in claim 25, which includes limiting the current density at said dispersive electrode and substantially avoiding hot spots by disposing said dispersive electrode to define as large an angle surrounding the surgical field as possible in view of the location of the surgical field on the patient's body.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as in claim 26, further comprising a step of cutting said dispersive electrode and surgical drape material with a scalpel to permit further surgery to be performed in the region under the dispersive electrode.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
93 words
An electrosurgical method employing an active electrode and comprising the steps of: forming a dispersive electrode assembly which includes a strip-shaped dispersive electrode and means for adhering said electrode to the body of a patient; defining a surgical field for a surgical procedure to be performed on the body of the patient; and forming a low-impedance path from the active electrode to ground by grounding said dispersive electrode and adhering said assembly to the patient's body with the dispersive electrode bounding said surgical field, while leaving the surgical field substantially unobstructed for surgery.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
93 words
An electrosurgical method employing an active electrode and comprising the steps of: forming a dispersive electrode assembly which includes a strip-shaped dispersive electrode and means for adhering said electrode to the body of a patient; defining a surgical field for a surgical procedure to be performed on the body of the patient; and forming a low-impedance path from the active electrode to ground by grounding said dispersive electrode and adhering said assembly to the patient's body with the dispersive electrode bounding said surgical field, while leaving the surgical field substantially unobstructed for surgery.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
80 words
Electrosurgical equipment, comprising a circuit connection of: active electrode means operable for performing an electrosurgical procedure; an RF comprising means for supplying an RF current to said active electrode means; and dispersive electrode means for being adhered to the patient's body surrounding said surgical field, forming a low-impedance path from the active electrode means to said RF generator; and for bounding a surgical field for an electrosurgical procedure to be performed, while leaving the surgical field substantially unobstructed for surgery.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
80 words
Electrosurgical equipment, comprising a circuit connection of: active electrode means operable for performing an electrosurgical procedure; an RF comprising means for supplying an RF current to said active electrode means; and dispersive electrode means for being adhered to the patient's body surrounding said surgical field, forming a low-impedance path from the active electrode means to said RF generator; and for bounding a surgical field for an electrosurgical procedure to be performed, while leaving the surgical field substantially unobstructed for surgery.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electrosurgical dispersive electrode assembly comprising curved, strip-shaped conductive electrode means, shaped and sized for bounding a surgical field on the body of a patient, forming a low-impedance path from an active electrode to ground, while leaving the surgical field substantially unobstructed for surgery; and means for adhering said electrode means to said body of said patient.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electrosurgical dispersive electrode assembly comprising curved, strip-shaped conductive electrode means, shaped and sized for bounding a surgical field on the body of a patient, forming a low-impedance path from an active electrode to ground, while leaving the surgical field substantially unobstructed for surgery; and means for adhering said electrode means to said body of said patient.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
An assembly as in claim 30, wherein said assembly further comprises surgical drape material adhered to one side of said curved conductive electrode means, which surgical drape material can cover the surgical field bounded by said conductive electrode means, said surgical field still remaining substantially unobstructive for surgery.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4269189A
Cited
US4303073A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-08-26 | 1995-02-25 | 1995-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-08-26 | 1999-02-25 | 1999-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-08-26 | 2003-02-25 | 2003-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |