Is a grounding pad required when using a bi-pole or dual lesion setup?

In a bi-pole or dual lesion setup, a grounding pad is not required because the system is designed to create a complete circuit through the electrodes placed on the patient's skin. This type of setup typically involves two electrodes placed close together on the treatment area, which allows for localized treatment without the need for a grounding pad to complete the electrical circuit.

The function of a grounding pad primarily comes into play in monopolar setups, where there is a single active electrode and a need to establish a return pathway for the electrical energy. In contrast, with a bi-pole or dual lesion arrangement, the current flows between the two electrodes, eliminating the necessity for an external grounding pad.

Additionally, the use of grounding pads can sometimes add complexity and may introduce potential safety considerations regarding the grounding of the entire system when it's not necessary for bi-polar configurations. Therefore, recognizing the operational dynamics of the electrode configuration is key to understanding that a grounding pad is not needed in this specific scenario.