Megadyne Medical Products, Inc.

Other

Cobe Laboratories, Inc.

Encore Medical Asset Corporation

Eastman-kodak Company

James D Isaacson

Paul R Borgmeier

Richard P Fleenor

David B Kieda

William A Miller

Gary Allen Carson

Michael R Hoglund

Robert F Hause, Jr

Ralph Koschinsky

Robert E Doty

Steven D Kimmell

Mark D Glassett

Michael S Hintze

Tremayne Paul Mikalauski

James Alan Katerberg

Lawrence R Young

Theodore F Williams

Thomas L Navarro

Treymayne Paul Mikalauski

William Alan Miller

An electrode for an iontophoretic drug delivery system includes a retainer having a malleable characteristic. The retainer and a conductor are connected to a platform. The conductor and a dose controller are electrically coupled to the iontophoretic drug delivery system. A drug delivery matrix is operably connected to the platform and proximate the conductor wherein the conductor, the drug delivery matrix, and the dose controller cooperate to deliver a drug to a user when the electrode is affixed to the user and operably connected to the iontophoretic drug delivery system.

Iontophoretic electrode

Systems, methods, and instruments associated with controlling the operating modes of an electrosurgical instrument using control signals delivered in a wireless manner from the electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical instrument transmits wireless control signals to the electrosurgical generator to initiate delivery of electrosurgical energy. The control signals are delivered to the electrosurgical generator without the need for a conductive cord extending between the electrosurgical generator and the electrosurgical instrument. The energy is delivered to the electrosurgical instrument, in response to the wireless control signals, along a path through an electrode and the physician utilizing the electrosurgical instrument and/or a conductive path external to the physician. The electrode upon which the physician rests provides a path for the electrosurgical energy and optionally prevents burning of the physician during an electrosurgical procedure.

Methods, systems and devices for performing electrosurgical procedures

Methods, systems, and devices for performing electrosurgical procedures

An electrosurgical return electrode for use in electrosurgery. The return electrode is self-limiting and self-regulating as to current temperature and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. According to one aspect of the invention, an inductor is coupled in series with the electrosurgical return electrode. The inductor is configured to optimize the flow of the electrosurgical current by minimizing the effective bulk impedance of the electrosurgical return electrode when the amount of contact area between the patient and the electrosurgical return electrode is sufficient to conduct electrosurgery. According to another aspect of the present invention, a conductor member is adapted for use with circuitry that indicates to a user when the contact area between the patient and the self-limiting member and/or return electrode is below a given threshold.

Tuned return electrode with matching inductor

A removable semi-insulating sheet for use in self-limiting electrosurgical return semi-insulating sheet for use with electrosurgery. Through the selection of impedance characteristics for the electrode materials of the principal body of the semi-insulating sheet, and through tailoring of semi-insulating sheet geometries, the return electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. The semi-insulating sheet has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 &#x3a9;&#xb7;cm. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. The configuration of the presently described return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery.

Self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode

An electrosurgical apparatus having a counter/lockout mechanism that monitors the number of sterilization/use cycles the electrosurgical apparatus undergoes and indicates the number of sterilization/use cycles that have actually been performed. The counter/lockout mechanism includes a temperature actuated element actuated in response to each sterilization cycle and a mechanically actuated element in response to a use cycle to effectuate a change of one or a plurality of indicia. The counter/lockout mechanism causes a single increment or decrement for each sterilization/use cycle that has been completed while also impeding use of the electrosurgical apparatus when the electrosurgical apparatus has undergone a predetermined number of sterilization/use cycles. In one embodiment, the distance of movement of the mechanically actuated element when fully actuated is greater than the distance the indicator moves when illustrating a change in the number of remaining uses.

Electrosurgical counter and lockout mechanism

An electrosurgical return electrode for use in electrosurgery. The return electrode is self-limiting and self-regulating as to maximum current and temperature rise to prevent patient trauma. An inductor is coupled in series with the return electrode. The inductor counteracts at least a portion of the impedance of the return electrode and the patient to optimize the flow of the current when the amount of contact area between the patient and the return electrode is sufficient to perform electrosurgery. The inductor may also be variable to allow the overall impedance of the electrosurgical circuit to be adjusted and tuned to work properly and safely with a particular patient and the other equipment used to perform electrosurgery. A conductor member operates with circuitry that indicates to a user when the contact area between the patient and the self-limiting member and/or return electrode is below a given threshold.

Electrosurgical generator

Electrosurgical generator display

A self-limiting electrosurgical return electrode for use with electrosurgery. Through selection of impedance characteristics for the materials of the principal body of the electrode, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise to prevent patient trauma. The return electrode includes a sheet of material having an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000&OHgr;.cm and one or more connectors for making electrical connection to the sheet. The effective bulk impedance of the sheet may arise from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof. Configuration of the return electrode allows the electrode to self-limit the electrode's current densities, thereby preventing burning of a patient during surgery. Through employment of washable surface areas, the electrode is made readily cleanable, disinfectable, sterilizable, and reusable. An optional sleeve is provided for cooperative use with the electrode.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

James D Isaacson