The thermal behavior of electrolyte-coated metal-foil dispersive electrodes.

The thermal properties of electrolyte-coated aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) foil dispersive electrodes carrying 700 mA of electrosurgical current for 1 min were studied on seven human subjects ranging in weight from 46 to 84 kg. Calibrated thermographic imaging was used for data analyses. The mean skin temperature rise for the Al-foil electrode was 1 degrees C and for the Cu-foil electrode was 0.5 degrees C. The maximum temperatures occurred at the perimeter of both electrode types and were 3.5 degrees C for the Al-foil and 2.5 degrees C for the Cu-foil electrode. Both electrodes performed adequately under these severe test conditions.