An analyte monitor includes a sensor, a sensor control unit, and a display unit. The sensor has, for example, a substrate, a recessed channel formed in the substrate, and conductive material disposed in the recessed channel to form a working electrode. The sensor control unit typically has a housing adapted for placement on skin and is adapted to receive a portion of an electrochemical sensor. The sensor control unit also includes two or more conductive contacts disposed on the housing and configured for coupling to two or more contact pads on the sensor. A transmitter is disposed in the housing and coupled to the plurality of conductive contacts for transmitting data obtained using the sensor. The display unit has a receiver for receiving data transmitted by the transmitter of the sensor control unit and a display coupled to the receiver for displaying an indication of a level of an analyte. The analyte monitor may also be part of a drug delivery system to alter the level of the analyte based on the data obtained using the sensor.

Analyte Monitoring Device And Methods Of Use

An electrosurgical generator has an output power control system that causes the impedance of tissue to rise and fall in a cyclic pattern until the tissue is desiccated. The advantage of the power control system is that thermal spread and charring are reduced. In addition, the power control system offers improved performance for electrosurgical vessel sealing and tissue welding. The output power is applied cyclically by a control system with tissue impedance feedback. The impedance of the tissue follows the cyclic pattern of the output power several times, depending on the state of the tissue, until the tissue becomes fully desiccated. High power is applied to cause the tissue to reach a high impedance, and then the power is reduced to allow the impedance to fall. Thermal energy is allowed to dissipate during the low power cycle. The control system is adaptive to tissue in the sense that output power is modulated in response to the impedance of the tissue.

Electrosurgical generator with adaptive power control

A closed-loop control system is disclosed for use with an electrosurgical generator that generates electrosurgical energy. The closed loop control system includes a user interface for allowing a user to select at least one pre-surgical parameter, such as the type of surgical instrument operatively connected to the generator, the type of tissue and the desired surgical effect. A sensor module is also included for continually sensing at least one of electrical and physical properties proximate a surgical site and generating at least one signal relating thereto. The system also includes a control module for continually receiving the at least one selected pre-surgical parameter from the user interface and each of the signals from the sensor module, and processing each of the signals in accordance with the at least one pre-surgical parameter using at least one of a microprocessor, computer algorithm and a mapping. The control module generates at least one corresponding control signal relating to each signal from the sensor module, and relays the control signal to the electrosurgical generator for controlling the same. A method is also disclosed for performing an electrosurgical procedure at a surgical site on a patient. The method includes the steps of: applying at least one electrical pulse to the surgical site; continually sensing electrical and physical properties proximate the surgical site; and varying pulse parameters of individual pulses of the at least one pulse in accordance with the continually-sensed properties.

Method and system for controlling output of RF medical generator

An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a microprocessor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue.

Vessel sealing system

An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a processor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue. A tissue cooling period is provided to enhance operative outcomes.

System and method for tissue sealing

A biomedical electrode is disclosed, having a geometry of conductive plates along a longitudinal axis of the electrode such that interior edge(s) of the plate(s) adjoining the axis are curvilinear or otherwise non-parallel to the axis. The geometry permits the electrode to register an earlier detection of a CQM alarm condition if a portion of the electrode unpeels from contact with the body of a mammalian patient before the extent of unpeeling would otherwise cause a CQM alarm condition established by and issued from an electrosurgical generator.

Biomedical electrode providing early detection of accidental detachment

A biomedical electrode having an electrically non-conductive backing and at least one, and preferably two, conductive plates contacting the electrically non-conductive backing. A field of lossy dielectric material is used between the electrically conductive plate(s) and the surface of the electrode applied to a patient. A field of conductive adhesive contacts both the conductive plate(s) and the field of lossy dielectric material. The electrode does not operate purely capacitively, nor does it operate purely resistively. Hot spots due to 'edge effect' are substantially reduced. At the same time, the biomedical electrode functioning as an electrosurgical dispersive electrode has an impedance within the range expected by the contact monitoring safety circuits provided with many current electrosurgical generators. The biomedical electrode also can function as a cardiac stimulating electrode, such as a defibrillation, cardioversion, or pacing electrode. A method of controlling the lossy dielectric properties of the biomedical electrode is also disclosed.

Biomedical electrode with lossy dielectric properties

A bioelectrode (10) having a backing (12), a conductive layer (28, 30) adjacent to the backing (12), and a layer of conductive adhesive (36, 38) adjacent to the conductive layer (28, 30). This bioelectrode (10) is designed to have two special configurations. It is originally manufactured in its first configuration wherein the backing (10) forms a sealed protective enclosure for the layer of conductive adhesive (36, 38). When a physician is ready to apply the electrode (10) to a patient, the electrode (10) is readily converted to its second configuration wherein the layer of conductive adhesive (36, 38) is exposed for contracting and adhering the bioelectrode (10) to the body of the patient.

Self-packaging bioelectrodes

A universally functional biomedical electrode is disclosed, where the electrode has a resistive element that reduces edge effect by a redistribution of current within the electrode and in mammalian tissue contacting the electrode. In one embodiment, the electrode has at its perimeter in one layer the resistive element that provides a cross-sectional area to reduce edge effect regardless of the type of biomedical instrumentation connected thereto. With the construction of other layers suitable for multifunctional electrode usage, this electrode can serve as a single item in inventory at health facilities.

Universally functional biomedical electrode

An article especially suited for use as a vibration isolating or shock absorbing structure comprising a multitude of short, resiliently compressible, elastic, tubular, rubbery bodies (11) held together in closely-packed relationship by restraining means. The rubbery bodies comprise a cured thermosetting millable extrudable composition having in the cured state an elasticity in excess of 200% and an elongation at break in excess of 300%. The tubular bodies are characterized by having a length to diameter ratio from about 2:1 to about 8:1 and a wall thickness of at least 0.6mm (0.025 inch).

Samuel G. Netherly

Papers

Biomedical electrode providing early detection of accidental detachment

Biomedical electrode with lossy dielectric properties

Self-packaging bioelectrodes

Universally functional biomedical electrode

Vibration isolation structure