Connection of a Bipolar Electrosurgical Hand Piece to a Monopolar Output of an Electrosurgical Generator

Abstract

A method and apparatus for operatively connecting a bipolar electrosurgical hand piece to a monopolar output of an electrosurgical unit wherein active components simulate expected impedance characteristics of monopolar return electrodes connected to a patient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electronic bridging circuit comprising:
 one or more circuit components arranged in electrical communication with a primary radiofrequency electrode lead of a bipolar hand piece connectable to a monopolar generator output of an electrosurgical generator upon which a super-imposed rider wave signal is configured to be transmitted, said super-imposed rider wave signal being normalized to a monopolar balanced state of feedback to an electrosurgical generator reference plate electrode monitoring circuit via said one or more circuit components;   said one or more circuit components selected to affect said super-imposed rider wave signal by balancing said super-imposed rider wave signal, said one or more circuit components arranged in the form of a current divider circuit; and   wherein monopolar outputs of the electrosurgical generator are in electrical communication with said bipolar hand piece electrodes upon connection of said bipolar hand piece with the electrosurgical generator and not comprising a patient return pad.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 1  wherein said one or more circuit components comprises a plurality of circuit components and said plurality of circuit components are connected in a parallel configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 1  comprising a plurality of said one or more circuit components connected in a series configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 1  wherein one of said one or more circuit components comprises a capacitive value. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 4  wherein said capacitive value comprises a value of about 1 picofarad to a value of about 1 microfarad. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 4  wherein said capacitive value comprises a value of about 40 picofarads to a value of about 0.1 microfarad. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 1  wherein one of said one or more circuit components comprises an inductive value. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 1  wherein one of said one or more circuit components comprises a resistive value. 
     
     
         9 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 1  wherein said one or more circuit components are arranged in a bridge circuit. 
     
     
         10 . An electrosurgical apparatus comprising:
 a monopolar electrosurgical generator output in electrical communication with a bipolar electrosurgical hand piece;   one or more connectors wherein at least one of said one or more connectors comprises a plurality of circuit components disposed therein and one or more terminals, said plurality of circuit components electrically coupled to one or more of said one or more terminals, said plurality of circuit components arranged in a form of a current divider circuit; and   not comprising a patient return pad.   
     
     
         11 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said bipolar electrosurgical hand piece is configured to operate in a cut only mode. 
     
     
         12 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said bipolar electrosurgical hand piece is configured to operate in a coagulate only mode. 
     
     
         13 . A bipolar electrosurgical hand piece powered by a monopolar electrosurgical generator output, said bipolar electrosurgical hand piece comprising one or more connectors, at least one of said one or more connectors comprising a plurality of circuit components disposed therein and one or more terminals, said plurality of circuit components electrically coupled to one or more of said one or more terminals, said plurality of circuit components arranged in a form of a current divider circuit; and not comprising a patient return pad. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic bridging circuit of  claim 1  wherein said electronic bridging circuit is removably connectable to a return pathway of the electrosurgical generator. 
     
     
         15 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said current divider circuit is electrically connected to a first of said one or more terminals. 
     
     
         16 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said current divider circuit is electrically connected to a second of said one or more terminals. 
     
     
         17 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said current divider circuit is electrically connected to a first and second of said one or more terminals. 
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said current divider circuit is electrically connected to a first of said one or more terminals. 
     
     
         19 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said current divider circuit is electrically connected to a second of said one or more terminals. 
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said current divider circuit is electrically connected to a first and second of said one or more terminals.