#$%^&*AU2007221762B220130620.pdf#####SMART RETURN ELECTRODE PAD ABSTRACT 5 An electrosurgical return electrode (6) is disclosed. The return electrode (6) includes a return electrode pad (20) having a patient-contacting surface (32) configured to conduct electrosurgical energy and a sensor circuit (22) coupled to the return electrode pad (30). The sensor circuit (22) is configured to monitor at least one of a return electrode pad (30) property and a tissue property to generate sensor data. The return 1o electrode (6) also includes a control circuit coupled to the return electrode pad (30) and to the sensor circuit (22). The control circuits configured to receive and process sensor data from the sensor circuit (22) and relay the processed sensor data to an electrosurgical energy source (27).
