Adhesive Temperature Sensor Patch for Neutral Electrode Detachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrosurgical neutral electrodes lack effective temperature monitoring capabilities, leading to potential patient burns due to improper attachment or detachment, and integrating temperature sensors into the electrodes complicates production and compatibility with conventional HF generators.

Innovation Solution

A measuring device with locally spaced temperature sensors and an adhesive layer allows attachment to conventional electrodes, enabling reliable temperature monitoring without altering the electrodes' production or requiring new HF generators, using resistance thermosensors or thermocouples for accurate temperature measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If temperature sensors are integrated into the neutral electrode, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but production complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring capabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature monitoring function is segmented from the neutral electrode itself. Instead of integrating sensors into the electrode, the patent uses a separate measuring device that attaches to the electrode via adhesive layer, dividing the system into independent functional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An adhesive layer acts as an intermediary between the measuring device and the neutral electrode. This intermediary enables temperature monitoring without direct integration, allowing the measuring device to contact the electrode while maintaining production simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If temperature sensors are integrated into the neutral electrode, then temperature monitoring capability is improved, but compatibility with conventional HF generators deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature monitoring capabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with conventional HF generators

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the temperature monitoring function into an independent measuring device, the system maintains compatibility with conventional HF generators that expect standard neutral electrodes without integrated sensors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The measuring device serves multiple purposes: it provides temperature monitoring while maintaining compatibility with existing HF generators and electrode types, making the solution universally applicable without requiring system-specific modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If impedance measurements are used to detect electrode detachment, then detachment detection capability is improved, but temperature measurement capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachment detection capabilityVSAvoidtemperature measurement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive layer serves as an intermediary that enables direct thermal contact between the measuring device and electrode, allowing accurate temperature measurement that impedance methods cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces electrical impedance measurement with direct thermal sensing through the adhesive layer, substituting a mechanical/thermal contact method for an electrical measurement method to achieve superior temperature measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures accurate temperature monitoring of neutral electrodes, preventing burns by detecting improper attachment or detachment, while maintaining compatibility with existing equipment and reducing production costs.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive layer is provided, via which the measuring device is arrangeable on a medical electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the measurement on the base material of the medical electrode (web, tape, foam) is sufficiently accurate and reliably detects a temperature change

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20260029282A1Measuring device for measuring the temperature of a medical electrode

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 LEONHARD LANG GMBH

AI summary

A measuring device for measuring the temperature and/or a change in temperature of a medical electrode is separate from the measuring device, preferably a neutral electrode. The measuring device includes a support and at least two temperature sensors arranged on the support. The at least two temperature sensors are spatially distanced from each other, and an adhesive layer is provided, via which the measuring device can be arranged on a medical electrode, preferably on the upper face of the medical electrode, and the upper face facing away from the skin.