Importance

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Abstract

The invention described herein is a safety circuit for preventing burns to a patient during an electrosurgical operation. In the preferred embodiment, the safety circuit includes a pair of monitors for sensing an imbalance between current flowing to a patient from a radio-frequency generator and current returning to the radio-frequency generator from the patient. When such an imbalance occurs as a result of a stray current path to ground from the patient, an alarm is actuated. In addition, a first alternate current path between chassis ground and the radio-frequency generator and a second alternate current path between system ground and chassis ground are included. A monitor in each alternate current path is designed to actuate an alarm upon detecting a predetermined flow of current. Not only do the monitors provide back-up for each other, but the first alternate path holds near ground potential a dispersive electrode which contacts the patient. Preferably, circuitry is also included for minimizing radio-frequency leakage from the lead carrying current to the patient.

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First Claim