Biomedical Return Electrode Having Thermochromic Layer

摘要

A biomedical return electrode for electrosurgery or radiofrequency (RF), a biomedical electrode pad ( 100 ), a system ( 300 ), and a method of treating tissue using a biomedical return electrode are disclosed. The biomedical return electrode comprises an electrode conductor ( 114 ) for receiving electrical energy from tissue via a return path, and a thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) layer ( 116 ) coupled to the conductor ( 114 ). The TLC layer ( 116 ) changes colour at one or more sites dependent upon the conductor temperature at each site. The TLC layer ( 116 ) changes colour in a predetermined range of temperatures from about 40° C. to about 50° C. to alert an operator about the risk of a burn occurring. The biomedical electrode pad ( 100 ) comprises at least one such biomedical return electrode and a conductive body ( 112 ) to form a contact with tissue. The system ( 300 ) comprises an apparatus for delivering electrical energy to tissue and such a biomedical electrode pad ( 100 ). The system ( 300 ) may optionally comprise a colour sensor ( 340 ) for viewing the pad ( 100 ) and monitoring equipment for remotely observing the pad ( 100 ).