#$%^&*AU2009201052B220130718.pdf#####SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A FAULT IN A CAPACITIVE RETURN ELECTRODE FOR USE IN ELECTROSURGERY ABSTRACT An electrosurgical system (100) includes an electrosurgical generator (102), a capacitive return pad (104, 200), a phase detection component (414), and a control component (400). The electrosurgical generator (102) is configured to generate electrosurgical energy. The capacitive return pad (104, 200) has at least one 5 capacitive return electrode (204a, 204B) operatively coupled to the electrosurgical generator (102) and is configured to provide a return path for the electrosurgical energy. The phase detection component (414) is configured to determine a phase difference between the current and the voltage of the electrosurgical energy. The control component (400) is in operative communication with the phase detection 10 component (414) and is configured to receive the determined phase difference from the phase detection component (414). The control component (400) is configured to detect a fault in the capacitive return pad (104, 200) by utilizing the determined phase difference. 207R1i i DOC1/5 iv-. 100 108-102a 106 ELECTROSURGICAL GENERATOR 1074 FIG. 1 200 204a-, ,204b 2B --- 2--------- ----- B 208206 210 FIG. 2A -200 204a -21b 206 206 204a -zz 204b WF -~--: 202 208 204b FIG. 2B
