Numerical field calculation of patient return electrodes in electrosurgery

In order to examine the warming up characteristics during application of a new electrode design for a patient return electrode of an electrosurgical system numerical field calculations were performed in this study. A multi-layer thigh model was provided for this purpose, to which the patient return electrode and the active electrode were connected. The simulation geometry as well as the dielectric tissue parameters were set according to the current frequency. The heating up at the skin surface by the flowing current was evaluated. The results were compared with experimental thermographical measurements.