US 11,730,533 B2
Auxiliary electrosurgical return rivet for use with cutting guard
Jacob C. Baril, Norwalk, CT (US); Justin J. Thomas, New Haven, CT (US); Saumya Banerjee, Hamden, CT (US); and Matthew A. Dinino, Newington, CT (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 12, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/900,230.
Prior Publication US 2021/0386470 A1, Dec. 16, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 18/16 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1233 (2013.01) [A61B 18/16 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00077 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1405 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An auxiliary return system for use with a bipolar electrosurgical device, comprising:
a tissue guard defining an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a body extending between the open proximal end and the open distal end, the body including an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface defining a lumen extending between the open proximal end and the open distal end, the outer peripheral surface including an elongated channel defined within the outer peripheral surface and configured to receive a ground wire within the elongated channel, a distal end of the elongated channel including a pocket defined between the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the body, wherein the distal end of the body is oblong and includes a long petal and a short petal, wherein the elongated channel defined in the body provides rigidity to the long petal; and
an electrically conductive rivet including proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the rivet configured to engage the inner peripheral surface of the body and the distal end of the rivet configured to engage the outer peripheral surface of the body to secure the rivet within the pocket, the distal end of the rivet including an electrical connector configured to electrically and mechanically engage the ground wire to provide electrical continuity between the ground wire and the rivet.