Patent Publication Number: US-7722412-B2

Title: Return pad cable connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application is a Divisional Application that claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/652,354, filed Jan. 11, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,560, which is a Continuation Application application Ser. No. 10/478,343 that claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,604, filed Nov. 19, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,182,604, which claims the benefit of and priority to International Application Serial No. PCT/US02/17360, filed May 31, 2002, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/295,176, filed Jun. 1, 2001, the entire contents of each of which being incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present disclosure relates to a return pad cable connector and, more particularly, to a return pad cable connector having a reusable cable configuration and adapted to removably receive a disposable single use patient return pad. 
   2. Background of Related Art 
   Flexible conductive members (i.e., return pads, return electrodes, etc.) are of particular importance in the medical community wherein patients often need to be connected to electrical monitoring or electrical generating equipment. In such applications, flexible conductive members such as return pads or electrodes need to adapt to the shape of the patient&#39;s body in order to provide sufficient electrical contact with the surface of the patient&#39;s body. 
   Electrosurgery requires that an electrosurgical generator be connected to at least two electrodes to produce and deliver an electrical potential to a patient&#39;s body. For example, in monopolar electrosurgery, the electrodes usually consist of an active electrode applied at the surgical site and a return electrode or pad applied to a non-surgical site on the patient. 
   Generally, return electrodes are pliable and thus can be flexed or shaped to meet particular application requirements. Return electrodes are usually manufactured to attach with a pressure sensitive adhesive directly to the surface of the patient&#39;s body. Return electrodes are therefore designed and manufactured to be form fitting or flexible so as to provide adequate conductive contact with the non-flat surfaces of a patient&#39;s body. Typically a conductive adhesive is applied to the surface of the return electrode to hold and secure the return electrode to the patient&#39;s body. 
   The return electrodes need to be electrically connected to the source electrosurgical generator. This connection is usually provided by way of one or more insulated conductive wires which are configured to interface with the electrosurgical generator to complete the electrosurgical circuit. In the past, emphasis was placed on providing a tight physical connection between the conductive wire and the return electrode which could withstand potential disengagement of the conductive wire and return pad during a surgical procedure. 
   Contemporary wire termination and connection methods usually require that the ends of a wire be stripped of insulation, formed, and assembled to the flexible conductive member with a staple shaped attachment or some other attachable fastener such as a circular terminal and a rivet. The stripping process is highly dependent upon the nature of the insulation of the wire, the strip tooling design, and the tooling setup. Wire stripping problems can result in broken wire strands or wires that cannot be formed or terminated properly in subsequent operations. As can be appreciated, existing terminating and connection manufacturing processes tend to be overly complex and typically require tedious manufacturing steps to assure adequate electrical and mechanical connections. Inadequate electrical connections can result in impedance changes across the tissue which may effect the performance of the overall electrosurgical system. 
   In addition, for sanitary and medical reasons, after a return electrode (i.e., return pad) has been used in a medical procedure for a particular patient, the return pad is discarded and a new return pad is used for a new medical procedure for either the same or a different patient. Since return pads of the prior art are usually physically coupled to the conductive wire (i.e., hard wired), the conductive portion and generation leads are discarded along with the return pad. Typically, only the return pad needs to be discarded after each medical procedure for sanitary reasons. Disposal of both the return pad and the conductive portion simply increases the costs associated with the medical procedure. 
   Accordingly, the need exists for a return pad/electrode cable connector which incorporates a disposable return pad which is removably coupled to a reusable conductive portion/connector. 
   SUMMARY 
   A return pad cable connector, in accordance with the present disclosure, for use with a disposable return pad, includes a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which conductive wire interconnects the return pad cable connector to an electrosurgical energy source. The return pad further includes a connector operatively coupled to the cord, the connector having a conductive surface which is selectively engageable with a corresponding conductive surface disposed on the return pad, the conductive surface of the connector including a conductive adhesive disposed thereon and a non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the connector for engagement with a corresponding non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the return pad. 
   In still yet another embodiment, according to the present disclosure the cord-to-pad connector includes a base element having a handle and a fixed jaw having a conductive surface affixed to an inner surface thereof. A distal end of the conductive wire passes through the base element and operatively engages the conductive surface of the fixed jaw. The cord-to-pad connector further includes a return pad clamp pivotally mounted to the base element. The cord-to-pad connector is positionable between an open position wherein the return pad clamp is spaced from the fixed jaw and a closed position wherein the return pad clamp is in contact with the fixed jaw. Preferably, the return pad clamp includes a moveable jaw and a clamping lever depending therefrom and extending along the handle which allows a user to selectively engage and disengage a return pad. 
   Preferably, the cord-to-pad connector further includes a locking mechanism configured and adapted to selectively maintain the cord-to-pad connector in the closed position. The locking mechanism includes a latch projecting from the clamping lever of the return pad clamp and a locking rail projecting from a locking aperture formed in the handle. In use, the latch operatively engages the locking rail, thereby locking the cord-to-pad connector in the closed position. 
   Preferably, the return pad includes a pad-to-cord connector which has a conductive pad surface disposed thereon which conductive pad surface is configured and adapted to operatively engage the conductive surface of the base element. In this manner, an electrical connection between the return pad and the cord-to-pad connector is established. A conductive adhesive may be disposed between the conductive pad surface and the conductive surface of the base element to facilitate the electrical connection and to maintain electrical continuity between elements. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the return pad cable connector of the present disclosure includes a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which connects to an electrosurgical energy source and a connector which operatively couples to the cord wherein the connector has at least one magnet disposed thereon for magnetically coupling the connector to a conductive surface disposed on the return pad. In accordance with the present disclosure, when the connector is magnetically coupled to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad energy is permitted to pass from the return pad to the electrosurgical energy source via the conductive wire. 
   Preferably, the at least one magnet is made from an electrically conductive material. More preferably, the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to the at least one electrically conductive magnet. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the connector further includes at least one electrical contact disposed on the surface of at least one of the magnets. Preferably, the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to each of the at least one electrical contact. 
   In still an alternative embodiment, the connector includes a flexible substrate having a first portion and a second portion integrally connected to the first portion, the first and second portion defining a fold line therebetween and a magnet disposed on each of the first and second portions of the flexible substrate in order to sandwich the conductive surface of the return pad therebetween. Preferably, the conductive wire of the cord is electrically coupled to the magnet, such that when the connector is magnetically coupled to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad, energy is permitted to pass from the return pad to the electrosurgical energy source via the conductive wire. 
   It is envisioned that at least the magnet which is electrically coupled to the conductive wire is made from an electrically conductive material. Preferably, the connector further includes at least one electrical contact disposed on the surface of the magnet which is electrically coupled to the conductive wire. The conductive wire of the cord is preferably electrically coupled to each of the at least one electrical contacts. 
   It is envisioned that the conductive wire of the cord can extend from a side of the substrate which is either parallel to the fold line or transverse to the fold line. It is further envisioned that each magnet is coupled to the substrate via a pin passing through the magnet and into the substrate. 
   These and other advantages and features of the apparatus disclosed herein, will become apparent through reference to the following description of embodiments, the accompanying drawings and the claims. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a bottom plan view of a return pad and an electrode cable connector in accordance with the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a return pad and an electrode cable connector in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a return pad and an electrode cable connector in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded, perspective view of a return pad and an electrode cable connector similar to the embodiments shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the electrode connector of  FIG. 4  shown in the closed position; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the electrode connector of  FIG. 4  shown in the open position; 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an electrode cable connector in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 8  is a top plan view of an electrode cable connector in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an electrode cable connector in accordance with still another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of an electrode cable connector of  FIG. 9  illustrating a preferred method of coupling of a magnet to a substrate thereof. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Preferred embodiments of the presently disclosed return pad cable connector will now be described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. 
   Referring now in detail to  FIG. 1 , a return pad cable connector is shown in accordance with the present disclosure and is generally identified as  100 . Cable connector  100  includes a reusable conductive wire cable  102  which operatively couples at a proximal end thereof to an electrosurgical generator “E/S” and a reusable cord-to-pad interface  104  which is disposed at a distal end thereof. Cord-to-pad interface  104  includes an insulated backing  106  having a conductive cord surface  108  disposed thereon which electrically couples to a wire  107  passing through cable  102 . 
   An adhesive border  110  is defined about the outer periphery of the conductive cord surface  108 . It is contemplated that conductive cord surface  108  may be positioned along one edge of cord-to-pad interface  104  to facilitate connection with the return pad  120 . However, it is also envisioned that the conductive cord surface  108  or multiple conductive cord surfaces  108  may be arranged anywhere on the surface of the cord-to-pad interface  104  defending upon a particular purpose or to facilitate electrical engagement. Preferably, the adhesive border  110  includes a non-conductive adhesive  112  applied thereto which reduces stray electrical current from emanating from the conductive cord surface  108 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 1 , cable connector  100  is configured and adapted to be removably adhered to a return pad or return electrode  120 . Return pad  120  includes an insulated backing  122 , an insulated cover  124  and a conventional electrically conductive member  126  retained between insulated backing  122  and insulated cover  124 . 
   Insulated backing  122  includes a pad-to-cord interface  128  which extends from a side surface thereof. Pad-to-cord interface  128  includes a conductive pad surface  130 , preferably made from an electrically conductive material, disposed thereon which electrically couples return pad  120  to the conductive cord surface  108 . Conductive pad surface  130  is electrically connected to conductive member  126  (via at least one conductive wire  132  which is disposed between backing  122  and cover  124 ). An adhesive border  134  is defined about the outer periphery of the conductive cord surface  108 . It is contemplated that conductive pad surface  130  is positioned to compliment the particular arrangements of conductive surface(s)  108  on the cord-to-pad interfaces. Much like adhesive border  110 , adhesive border  134  may also include a non-conductive adhesive  112  applied thereto to facilitate engagement and reduce stray electrical currents. 
   A non-conductive adhesive for adhering adhesive border  110  of cord-to-pad interface  104  to adhesive border  134  of pad-to-cord interface  128  is disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,146 to Sieverding, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. By providing cord-to-pad interface  104  with an adhesive border  110  and providing pad-to-cord interface  128  with an adhesive border  134 , sufficient electrical connection is established between conductive cord surface  108  and conductive pad surface  130 . More particularly, cord-to-pad interface  104  is adhered to pad-to-cord interface  128  by applying the non-conductive adhesive  112  to their respective adhesive borders  110  and  134  and pressing the two interfaces together. In this manner, conductive cord surface  108  directly contacts conductive pad surface  130  thereby establishing an electrical connection therebetween. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a return pad cable connector is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure and is generally identified as cable connector  200 . Cable connector  200  includes a reusable conductive wire cable  202  having a typical connector  204  attached to a proximal end thereof for interfacing cable  202  with an electrosurgical generator (not shown) and a reusable cord-to-pad interface  206  operatively coupled to a distal end thereof. Cord-to-pad interface  206  includes an insulated backing  208  having a pair of conductive cord surfaces  210   a ,  210   b  disposed thereon which electrically couple to a wire  212  passing through cable  202 . 
   Conductive cord surfaces  210   a ,  210   b  are preferably spaced from one another and extend distally along a top surface  211  of cord-to-pad interface  206 . An adhesive border  214  is defined about the periphery of each conductive cord surface  210   a ,  210   b . Adhesive border  214  may include a non-conductive adhesive  216  applied thereto in order to facilitate mechanical connection with return pad  220 . A conductive adhesive  218   a ,  281   b  is applied to each conductive cord surface  210   a ,  210   b , respectively. 
   As seen in  FIG. 2 , cable connector  200  is configured and adapted to be removably adhered to return pad  220 . Return pad  220  is similar to return pad  120  of  FIG. 1  but includes a pair of complimentary conductive surfaces  230   a ,  230   b  which electrically couple with conductive pad surfaces  210   a ,  210   b , respectively. Each conductive surface  230   a ,  230   b , in turn, is coupled to a conductive member  236   a ,  236   b  disposed within the return pad  220 . 
   More particularly, return pad  220  includes an insulated backing  222  having a pad-to-cord interface  228  which extends from a side surface thereof. Pad-to-cord interface  228  includes the pad conductive surfaces  230   a ,  230   b  disposed thereon which couple with conductive cord surfaces  210   a ,  210   b . An adhesive border  234  surrounds the periphery of each conductive pad surface  230 . Adhesive border  234  is configured to include a non-conductive adhesive  216  applied thereto which reduces stray current which may emanate from the conductive surfaces. A conductive adhesive  218  and covers each conductive pad surface  230   a ,  230   b  to facilitate and maintain electrical connection with conductive cord surfaces  210   a ,  210   b.    
   Preferably, a conductive adhesive  218  is selected such that the conductivity of the adhesive will be sufficient for the electrosurgical power to be conducted through the small area of the attachment as well as provide impedance low enough for contact quality monitoring in the generator. While a non-conductive and a conductive adhesive have been contemplated for use in the present embodiment, it is envisioned that a single conductive adhesive can be applied to both adhesive borders  214  and  234  as well as to both conductive surfaces  210   a ,  210   b  and  230   a ,  230   b . Adhesive  218   a ,  218   b  is selected such that the electro-conductivity of the adhesive promotes the transfer of electric signals between conductive surfaces  210   a ,  210   b  and  230   a ,  230   b.    
   Turning now to  FIGS. 3-6 , a return pad cable connector is shown in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure and is generally identified as  300 . Cable connector  300  includes two major subunits; a base element  302  and a return pad clamp  304  (see  FIG. 4 ). As explained in greater detail below, base element  302  and return pad clamp  304  cooperate to grip the return pad  400 . It is contemplated that both base element  302  and return pad clamp  304  are preferably molded from a strong, resilient plastic material, such as acetal resin. 
   Base element  302  includes a return pad interface  306  and a handle  308 . Preferably, handle  308  is dimensioned to facilitate gripping and may be ergonomically shaped to enhance “feel”. 
   Return pad interface  306  preferably includes a fixed jaw  312  having an L-shaped cross-section defined by a first leg  310  for housing a series of pivot mounts  336  disposed therein and a second leg  311  which vertically extends therefrom which cooperates with the pad clamp  304  to secure the return pad  400  as explained in more detail below. A lever housing  314  is formed in the pad interface  306  and operates to mechanically align and secure the pad clamp  304  with handle  308 . More particularly, a locking aperture  316  extends through handle  308  and is located toward the distal end of the same ( 308 ). As explained in more detail below, locking aperture  316  and lever housing  314  cooperate to align and secure the pad clamp  304  within handle  308 . 
   Return pad clamp  304  includes a movable jaw  318  and a clamping lever  320  which depends from movable jaw  318  and which is designed to mechanically engage handle  308 . Clamping lever  320  includes a proximal half  322  having an offset  324  which extends at an angle relative to proximal half  322 . A distal half  326  depends from offset  324  such that proximal half  322 , offset  324  and distal half  326  form a generally reverse “S” configuration which facilitates assembly of the cable connector  300 . In other words, the proximal and distal halves  322  and  326  are generally parallel to one another and offset  324  is disposed perpendicular thereto. Movable jaw  318  also includes a series of pivot projections  334  which are designed for mechanical engagement with pivot mounts  336  as discussed below. 
   A locking pivot grip  328  is disposed on the proximal half  322  of the return pad clamp  304  and a corresponding unlocking pivot grip  330  is formed on the distal half  326 . The locking and unlocking pivot grips  328  and  330  are designed to facilitate movement of clamping lever  320  by an operator&#39;s finger to mechanically move/pivot jaw member  318  from a first open position for reception of the return pad  400  to the second locking position which secures the return pad  400  in electromechanical engagement with the cable connector  300 . 
   Return pad clamp  304  is pivotally mounted to base element  302  so that movable jaw  318  lies in registration with fixed jaw  312  and pivots about an axis “A” (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) defined through first leg  310  of the return pad interface  306 . More particularly, the return pad clamp  304  is mounted by passing clamping lever  320  through lever housing  314  and engaging the pivot projections  334  within the corresponding pivot mounts  336  disposed in first leg  310 . 
   Clamping lever  320  when mounted extends along handle  308 , preferably lying in a channel  338  defined therein. More particularly, clamping lever  320 , when mounted, extends through lever housing  314  and to locking aperture  316  such that the distal half  326  is movable within locking aperture  316  from a first locking position wherein movable jaw is secured to the return pad  400  (see  FIG. 5 ) to a second open position for disengaging the return pad  400  (see  FIG. 6 ). Preferably, locking aperture  316  is designed to accept and cooperate with clamping lever  320  in the manner described above. For example, in one embodiment, locking aperture  316  is generally keyhole shaped, with a rectangular portion designed to accommodate distal half  326  of clamping lever  320 , and a circular, chamfered thumb well  340  which surrounds un-locking grip  330 . The length of offset  324  is preferably dimensioned to allow proximal half  322  to lie generally flush with the outer surface of handle  308  when clamping lever  320  is disposed in the “locked” position. Also, when locked, distal half  326  is generally flush with the opposite surface of handle  308 . 
   A locking rail  342  is disposed within locking aperture  316  and is designed to mechanically engage a corresponding latch  332  disposed on offset  324  to secure clamping lever  320  in a “locked” position which, in turn, locks the cable connector  300  to the return pad  400 . As can be appreciated, cooperation between locking rail  342  and latch  332  is made possible by dimensioning clamping lever  320  such that the distance from axis A to the tip of latch  332  is slightly less than the distance from that point to the tip of locking rail  342 . Thus, when the unit is in a locked position, as shown in  FIG. 5 , latch  332  is securely retained by locking rail  342 . As described in more detail below, movement of distal half  326  via un-locking grip  330  in direction “D” disengages latch  332  from locking rail  342  which, in turn, disengages/unlocks the clamping lever  320  and releases the return pad  400 . 
   As best shown in  FIG. 4 , base element  302  also includes a conductive surface  344  affixed to an inner facing surface of fixed jaw  312  which couples with a conductive wire  346  extending from handle  308  to the electrosurgical generator (not shown). 
   Returning to  FIG. 3 , cable connector  300  is configured and adapted to be removably coupled to return pad  400 . Return pad  400  includes an insulated backing  402 , an insulated cover  404  and a conventional electrically conductive member  406  retained between insulated backing  402  and insulated cover  404 . 
   Insulated backing  402  includes a pad-to-cord connector  408  extending from a side surface thereof. Pad-to-cord connector  408  includes a conductive pad surface  410  disposed thereon for electrically connecting return pad  400  to conductive surface  344  of connector  300 . Conductive pad surface  410  is electrically connected to conductive member  406  via a conductive path  412 . An adhesive border  414  surrounds conductive pad surface  410  and is configured such that a non-conductive adhesive  416  can be applied thereto. It is contemplated that a conductive adhesive can be applied between conductive surface  344  of connector  300  and pad conductive surface  410  to assure electrical continuity between the same. 
   As seen in  FIG. 5 , while in a locked position connector  300  firmly holds return pad  400  between fixed and movable jaws  312  and  318 , respectively, via the mechanically cooperative action of latch  332  and locking rail  342 . In this manner, conductive surface  344  of connector  300  and conductive pad surface  410  of return pad  400  are held in electrical contact with one another. In the open position, as shown in  FIG. 6 , movable jaw  318  is rotated away from fixed jaw  312 , permitting insertion and removal of return pad  400  therefrom. 
   Movement between the open and the closed/locked positions is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . To move from the closed/locked position (as seen in  FIG. 5 ), the operator applies a force in the direction “D” to unlocking grip  330 , preferably by pressing with a thumb or finger. By applying a force in the direction “D” the distal half  326  and latch  332  unlocks causing the movable jaw  318  of clamping member  320  to pivot away from fixed jaw  312  and release pad  400 . In turn, offset  324  rotates upward, forcing the proximal half  322  out of channel  338 . More particularly, applying a force in the direction “D” rotates the pivot projections  334  within pivot mounts  336  to cause movable jaw  318  to open. Once rotated to the “open” position, the return pad  400  is either released or a new return pad may be positioned therein. 
   Once the return pad  400  is in place between the movable jaw  318  and the fixed jaw  312 , the connector  300  can be locked. Locking of connector  300  involves applying a force in a direction “C” to locking grip  328 . This forces latch  332  against locking rail  342 , causing proximate leg  322  to flex and rotate latch  332  beyond locking rail  342  thus moving clamp lever  320  to a “locked” position (see  FIG. 5 ). In turn, the pivot projections of moveable jaw  318  are rotated within pivot mounts  336  of fixed jaw  316  thereby securing return pad  400  between the jaw members  312 ,  318 . 
   In accordance with the present disclosure, it is envisioned that each jaw member  312 ,  318  may be provided with a plurality of teeth  317  formed on either conductive surface  344  of connector  300 , the non-conductive surface of second leg  311  of fixed jaw  312  or both. Accordingly, the plurality of teeth  317  increases the retention of pad-to-chord connector  408  of return pad  400  therebetween. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 7-10  a return pad cable connector in shown in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure and is generally identified as  500 . In accordance with the present disclosure it is envisioned that return pad cable connector  500  is configured and adapted to cooperate with a return electrode  120  as generally described above. 
   With particular reference to  FIG. 7 , return pad cable connector  500  includes a conductive return wire cable  502 , operatively coupled at a proximal end thereof to an electrosurgical generator (not shown), and a cord-to-pad interface  504  operatively coupled to a distal end thereof. In accordance with the present disclosure, it is envisioned that cord-to-pad interface  504  is made of an electrically conductive magnetic material. Accordingly, when cord-to-pad interface  504  is approximated toward or brought into contact with conductive pad surface  130  of return pad  120 , interface  504  will magnetically couple with conductive-pad surface  130 . As such, the contact between cord-to-pad interface  504  and conductive pad surface  130  will return energy during electrosurgical procedures, from return pad  120  to the electrosurgical generator (not shown). 
   Turning now to  FIG. 8 , return pad cable connector  500  includes a conductive return wire cable  502 , operatively coupled at a proximal end thereof to an electrosurgical generator (not shown), and a cord-to-pad interface  510  operatively coupled to a distal end thereof. In accordance with the present embodiment, cord-to-pad interface  510  includes a magnetic substrate  512  having at least one electrical contact  514  disposed thereon, wherein wire cable  502  is electrically coupled to electrical contact(s)  514 . It is envisioned that magnetic substrate  512  can be made from either conductive or non-conductive materials. Accordingly, when cord-to-pad interface  510  is approximated toward or brought into contact with conductive pad surface  130  of return pad  120 , such that the at least one electrical contact  514  will be brought into contact with conductive pad surface  130 , interface  510  will magnetically couple with conductive pad surface  130 . As such, the contact between cord-to-pad interface  510  and conductive pad surface  130  will return energy during electrosurgical procedures, from return pad  120  to the electrosurgical generator (not shown). 
   Turning now to  FIG. 9 , return pad cable connector  500  includes a conductive return wire cable  502 , operatively coupled at a proximal end thereof to an electrosurgical generator (not shown), and a cord-to-pad interface  520  operatively coupled to a distal end thereof. Cord-to-pad interface  520  includes a flexible substrate  522  having a first portion  524  and a second portion  526  integrally connected to first portion  524  to thereby define a fold line  528 . Cord-to-pad interface  520  further includes an electrically conductive magnet  530  provided on each of first and second portions  524 ,  526  of substrate  522 , wherein wire cable  502  is electrically coupled to one of the pair of magnets  530 . While a pair of electrically conductive magnets  530  is disclosed, it is contemplated that only magnet  530 , which is electrically coupled to wire cable  502 , needs to be made from an electrically conductive material while the other magnet can be made from non-conductive materials. It is further envisioned that, if both magnets  530  are non-conductive, an electrical contact (not shown) can be disposed on magnet  530  which is electrical contact is electrically coupled to wire cable  502 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 9 , wire cable  502  can extend from return pad cable connector  500  from a side of substrate  522  which is parallel to fold line  528 , or in the alternative, as shown in phantom, wire cable  502  can extend from return pad cable connector  500  from a side of substrate  522  which is transverse to fold line  528 . 
   Use of return pad cable connector  500 , shown in  FIG. 9 , requires that after conductive pad surface  130  of return pad  120  is brought into contact with magnet  530  with is electrically coupled to wire cable  502 , flexible substrate  522  is folded along fold line  528  in order to approximate magnets  530  of first and second portions  524 ,  526  toward one another thereby sandwiching conductive pad surface  130  therebetween. As such, the contact between magnet  530 , coupled to-wire cable  502 , and conductive pad surface  130  will return energy during electrosurgical procedures, from return pad  120  to the electrosurgical generator (not shown). 
   As seen in  FIG. 10 , a preferred method of coupling a magnet to a substrate for a return pad cable connector  500  is illustrated. In particular, a magnet  540  overlies a substrate  542  and at least one retaining device  544  (i.e., a pin) is used to pass though magnet  540  and imbedded in substrate  542  to secure magnet  540  to substrate  542 . Further, as seen in  FIG. 10 , wire cable  502  can be disposed between magnet  540  and substrate  542 . While a pin has been disclosed it is envisioned that other methods of coupling the magnet to a substrate can be used, such as, for example, an adhesive, screws, clips, clamps and the like. 
   The use of magnets in return pad cable connector  500  results in easier attachment and removal of return pad cable connector  500  from conductive pad surface  130  of return pad  120  as well as easier cleaning of the contact surfaces and a lower profile. 
   In accordance with the present disclosure, it is envisioned that return pad cable connector  500  can be used in combination with a conductive adhesive disposed between return pad cable connector  500  and conductive pad surface  130 . 
   The above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.