Capacitive reusable electrosurgical return electrode

摘要

A capacitive reusable electrosurgical return electrode pad for use with electrosurgery. Through selection of the electrode geometries and the impedance characteristics of the electrode, the electrode is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The electrosurgical return electrode can include a connector and a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 100,000 OMEGA.cm. The electrode can have a working surface area from about 11 to about 1,500 square inches (or about 70 to about 10,000 square centimeters). The electrode can be disposed on the working surface of an operating table or dentist's chair immediately underlying a patient during electrosurgery. This very large working surface area eliminates the need for direct contact or contact through conducting gels and by employing washable surface areas, it is made readily cleanable and reusable.