US 12,186,014 B2
Monopolar return pad including a pathway for evacuating surgical smoke
Daniel A. Joseph, Golden, CO (US); and Tony Moua, Broomfield, CO (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Jun. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/831,681.
Application 17/831,681 is a continuation of application No. 16/711,603, filed on Dec. 12, 2019, granted, now 11,364,076.
Prior Publication US 2022/0287771 A1, Sep. 15, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 18/16 (2006.01); A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/14 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/16 (2013.01) [A61B 18/1206 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00951 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00077 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00589 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1253 (2013.01); A61B 2018/126 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1467 (2013.01); A61B 2018/167 (2013.01); A61B 2218/008 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A combination patient return pad and surgical smoke evacuator, comprising:
a housing defining a cavity therein configured to receive suction;
a return electrode directly coupled to a surface of the housing and including an adhesive material configured to attach the return electrode to tissue, the return electrode configured to return energy, applied to the tissue by an energy source through an active electrode, back to the energy source; and
a suction tube having a first end portion configured to be coupled to a vacuum source, and a second end portion configured to be coupled to the housing to be in fluid communication with the cavity for vacuuming surgical smoke through the cavity.