Electrosurgical return electrode and rfid system

Abstract

An electrosurgical return electrode configured for operable association with a transponder detection unit. The return electrode includes a conductive element having an aperture array configured to allow passage of a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic interrogation signal from the transponder detection unit through the conductive element and through the return electrode. The return electrode is positionable over a transponder detection unit such that the return electrode may be placed upon the transponder detection unit and a patient may be positioned upon the return electrode. The return electrode enables the detection of a transponder located on, within, and/or near the patient without the need for repositioning the patient relative to the return electrode and without the need for positioning an ancillary transponder reader or transmitter above the patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrosurgical return electrode comprising:
 a conductive element configured to conduct electrical current, the conductive element having opposing first and second major surfaces and including an aperture array configured to allow passage of a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic interrogation signal from an associated transponder detection unit through the conductive element; and   a patient contact pad positioned adjacent the first major surface of the conductive element and configured to be disposed between the conductive element and a patient when the patient is at least partially positioned upon the patient contact pad;   wherein the electrosurgical return electrode is configured to be at least partly positionable upon a transponder detection unit with the second major surface facing the transponder detection unit.   
     
     
         2 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 1 , further comprising a transponder detection unit pad positioned adjacent the second major surface of the conductive element and configured to be disposed between the conductive element and the transponder detection unit when the electrosurgical return electrode is at least partially positioned upon the transponder detection unit. 
     
     
         3 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture array includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         4 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 3 , wherein the aperture array includes a plurality of distribution areas having separate aperture configurations. 
     
     
         5 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 4 , wherein the separate aperture configurations include separate aperture densities. 
     
     
         6 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 5 , wherein a second distribution area is disposed peripherally around at least a portion of a first distribution area, and wherein the second distribution area includes a higher aperture density than the first distribution area. 
     
     
         7 . The electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 4 , wherein the separate aperture configurations includes separate aperture sizes. 
     
     
         8 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 7 , wherein a first distribution area includes apertures having a smaller average size than apertures of a second distribution area, the second distribution area being disposed peripherally around at least a portion of a first distribution area. 
     
     
         9 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 4 , wherein the separate aperture configurations includes separate aperture shapes. 
     
     
         10 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture array includes circular or ovoid shaped apertures. 
     
     
         11 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture array includes slits. 
     
     
         12 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 11 , wherein the slits are substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical return electrode. 
     
     
         13 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 11 , wherein the slits are oriented transverse to a longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical return electrode. 
     
     
         14 . An electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 1 , wherein the aperture array covers 10 to 90% of the plan view surface area of the conductive element. 
     
     
         15 . An electrosurgical return electrode comprising:
 a sheet or substrate formed of a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic field transparent material;   a trace of conductive material applied to the sheet or substrate, the trace being sized and configured so as to provide sufficient conduction from a patient to enable the return electrode to function during an electrosurgical procedure, wherein a size ratio between the trace and the sheet or substrate enables the return electrode to be substantially transparent to a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic signal from an associated transponder detection unit.   
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 15 , further comprising a patient contact pad positioned adjacent the trace and the sheet or substrate, the patient contact pad being configured to be disposed between the trace and a patient when the patient is at least partially positioned upon the patient contact pad. 
     
     
         17 . An electrosurgical return electrode comprising:
 a conductive element array configured to conduct electrical current, the conductive element array having a first major surface and being formed of a plurality of electrically conductive panels, the plurality of electrically conductive panels being connected by a plurality of electrical connectors, the plurality of electrically conductive panels being spaced apart from one another to allow passage of a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic interrogation signal from an associated transponder detection unit between the plurality of electrically conductive panels; and   a patient contact pad positioned adjacent the first major surface of the conductive element array and being configured to be disposed between the conductive element array and a patient when the patient is at least partially positioned upon the patient contact pad;   wherein the electrosurgical return electrode is configured to be at least partly positionable upon a transponder detection unit with a second major surface of the conductive element array facing the transponder detection unit.   
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of electrically conductive panels are selectively connected together by the plurality of electrical connectors. 
     
     
         19 . The electrosurgical return electrode according to  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of electrically conductive panels are arranged in a row along a portion of a length of the return electrode. 
     
     
         20 . A method for detecting a transponder in an electrosurgical environment, the method comprising:
 positioning an electrosurgical return electrode on a transponder detection unit, the electrosurgical return electrode being substantially transparent to a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic interrogation signal;   positioning a patient on the electrosurgical return electrode;   actuating the transponder detection unit to send a magnetic, electric, or electromagnetic interrogation signal to a target area that includes or is near at least a portion of the patient; and   receiving a return signal from the transponder indicating presence of the transponder at the target area.