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US5766165A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Return path monitoring system

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-09-22
•
Granted: 1998-06-16
•
Expires: 2015-09-22
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Abstract

Abstract A controlled return path monitoring system is used in combination with an electrosurgical generator unit employing an active electrode for performing electrosurgery. The system includes internal electrode which is disposed, in use, within the body of a patient in proximity to the active electrode and is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator unit so as to provide a preferred current return path back to the electrosurgical generator unit, and an external electrode which is disposed, in use, on the body of the patient and is electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator unit so as to provide a safety current return path back to the electrosurgical generator unit. A detector monitors the return current flow from the two electrodes back to the electrosurgical generator unit and controls the unit in accordance with the monitored return current flow, e.g., shuts off the unit when the flow exceeds a predetermined level.

Inventors

  • 👤 John S. Gentelia
  • 👤 Ernesto G. Sevilla

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-22 23:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1206; A61B18/1233; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00273; A61B2018/00291

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 167 words
A controlled return path monitoring system in combination with an electrosurgical generator unit including an active electrode for performing electrosurgery, said system comprising: a first, internal electrode disposed, in use, within the body of a patient in proximity to the active electrode and electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator unit so as to provide a preferred current return path providing a substantial current flow back to the electrosurgical generator unit under normal operating conditions; a second, external electrode disposed, in use, on the body of the patient and electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator unit so as to provide a safety current return path providing a further current flow, back to the electrosurgical generator unit, which, under said normal operating conditions, is less than the current flow in said preferred current flow path; and monitoring means for monitoring the return current flow from said first and second electrodes back to the electrosurgical generator unit and for controlling the unit in accordance with the monitored return current flow.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 167 words
A controlled return path monitoring system in combination with an electrosurgical generator unit including an active electrode for performing electrosurgery, said system comprising: a first, internal electrode disposed, in use, within the body of a patient in proximity to the active electrode and electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator unit so as to provide a preferred current return path providing a substantial current flow back to the electrosurgical generator unit under normal operating conditions; a second, external electrode disposed, in use, on the body of the patient and electrically connected to the electrosurgical generator unit so as to provide a safety current return path providing a further current flow, back to the electrosurgical generator unit, which, under said normal operating conditions, is less than the current flow in said preferred current flow path; and monitoring means for monitoring the return current flow from said first and second electrodes back to the electrosurgical generator unit and for controlling the unit in accordance with the monitored return current flow.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said monitoring means comprises means for monitoring the current levels in the preferred return path and the safety return path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 46 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said monitoring means comprises means for comparing the current levels in the preferred return path and the safety return path, and for shutting off the electrosurgical generator unit when a predetermined relative change between said levels is detected.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1620929A Cited
US1713971A Cited
US1620828A Cited
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US4907589A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-06-15 2001-12-15 2002-06-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-06-15 2005-12-15 2006-06-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-06-15 2009-12-15 2010-06-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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