Patent ID: 6666859
Filing Date: 2003-12-23
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
An electrosurgical electrode configured to be disposed beneath a patient during electrosurgery to provide a return path for an electrosurgical current used in electrosurgery, the electrosurgical electrode comprising:a sheet of material having an effective bulk resistivity equal to or greater than about 8,000&OHgr;.cm; an upper surface having sufficient area to limit a current density to safe thresholds while obviating the need for direct contact between the patient and the electrode, wherein the effective impedance of the electrode is inversely proportional to the effective contact area between the patient and the electrode and the electrosurgical electrode being self-limiting so that the electrosurgical current is limited to safe thresholds so as to prevent an undesirable patient burn at a contact area between the patient and the electrode in the event of an accidental reduction in the contact area below a threshold level.