U.S. patent application number 12/537319 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for medical technology device and medical technology device arrangement.
Invention is credited to Uwe FISCHER, Andreas HORLLE, Wolfgang KUHNE, Andre ROGGAN, Stefan SCHIDDEL, Christopher SPRENGER, Timo STRAUSS.
Application Number | 20100093226 12/537319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41413372 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100093226 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HORLLE; Andreas ; et
al. |
April 15, 2010 |
MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICE AND MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY DEVICE
ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
The invention concerns a medical technology device for treatment
of the human or animal body, comprising at least one electrical
plug connector which is adapted to be connected to a complementary
counterpart plug connector of a further medical technology device
and which in an active position is arranged projecting upwardly at
the top side of the device. To provide a medical technology device
which can be used both as an individual device and also in
conjunction with a second device as a device arrangement and which
in that respect satisfies existing safety and aesthetic demands, it
is provided in accordance with the invention that the plug
connector is adapted to be movable from the active position into a
passive position, wherein in the passive position the plug
connector is removed from the top side of the device and the top
side is closed in substantially fluid-tight relationship.
Inventors: |
HORLLE; Andreas; (Berlin,
DE) ; ROGGAN; Andre; (Berlin, DE) ; KUHNE;
Wolfgang; (Schonfliess, DE) ; FISCHER; Uwe;
(Berlin, DE) ; STRAUSS; Timo; (Berlin, DE)
; SCHIDDEL; Stefan; (Potsdam, DE) ; SPRENGER;
Christopher; (Berlin, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Family ID: |
41413372 |
Appl. No.: |
12/537319 |
Filed: |
August 7, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/668 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 439/909 20130101;
A61B 2018/1823 20130101; H01R 13/5213 20130101; H01R 13/5224
20130101; A61B 18/1206 20130101; H01R 13/74 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/668 |
International
Class: |
H01R 24/04 20060101
H01R024/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 15, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 047 339.1 |
Claims
1. A medical technology device for treatment of the human or animal
body, comprising at least one electrical plug connector which is
adapted to be connected to a complementary counterpart plug
connector of a further medical technology device and which in an
active position is arranged projecting upwardly at the top side of
the device, wherein the plug connector is adapted to be movable
from the active position into a passive position, wherein in the
passive position the plug connector is removed from the top side of
the device and the top side is closed in substantially fluid-tight
relationship.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has at least
one lift unit by which the plug connector is movably connected to
the rest of the device.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the lift unit has a
prismatic joint, by which the plug connector is adapted to be
movable substantially linearly from the active position into the
passive position.
4. the device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes at
least one cover means which closes the top side of the device in
the passive position in substantially fluid-tight relationship.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the plug connector is
connected to the cover means and arranged in the interior of the
device in the passive position.
6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has at least
one drive means which urges the plug connector from the passive
position in the direction of the active position.
7. A medical technology device arrangement for treatment of the
human or animal body, comprising at least first and second medical
technology devices which are electrically and mechanically
connected together by way of a plug connector arrangement, wherein
the plug connector arrangement includes a plug connector connected
to the first device and a counterpart plug connector which is
connected to the second device and which is of a complementary
configuration to the plug connector, wherein the first medical
technology device comprises at least one electrical plug connector
which is adapted connected complementary counterpart plug connector
of a further medical technology device and which in an active
position is arranged projecting upwardly at the top side of the
device, wherein the plug connector is adapted ted to be movable
from the active position into a passive position, wherein in the
passive position the plug connector is removed from the top side of
the device and the top side is closed in substantially fluid-tight
relationship.
8. The device arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first
device is an ultrasound generator and the second device is an HF
generator.
9. The device arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the device
arrangement is so adapted that in operation both a high frequency
current signal and also a signal for an ultrasound instrument can
be taken off simultaneously at the ultrasound generator.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to German Patent
Application No. 10 2008 047 339.1, filed Sep. 15, 2008, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention concerns a medical technology device for
treatment of the human or animal body, comprising at least one
electrical plug connector which is adapted to be connected to a
complementary counterpart plug connector of a further medical
technology device and which in an active position is arranged
projecting upwardly at the top side of the device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] For many years now the many different possible uses of
medical technology have led to a large number of specialised end
devices such as for example high frequency generators, ultrasound
generators or argon plasma units. In order always to provide the
physician with an optimum device for various uses, multifunctional
devices or device arrangements have been developed. In the simplest
case those devices or device arrangements are afforded by
electrically and mechanically connecting two or more devices. A
known example is connecting an argon plasma unit to a high
frequency generator, referred to for brevity as an HF generator. In
that case a high frequency current is passed into the argon plasma
unit by way of a plug connection to be able to connect the argon
plasma/HF manual instrument to the argon plasma unit.
[0004] The cable connection for transmission of the HF signal
between the devices should be kept as short as possible. With
increasing length, when carrying high frequency ac voltages, the
electrical leakage currents or stray currents increase and
electromagnetic compatibility decreases. Preferably therefore the
HF plug connection between the devices which are usually disposed
in mutually superposed relationship is arranged in the proximity of
the output jacks of the manual instruments.
[0005] The problem which arises with all known device arrangements
is that the devices cannot be used, or at least cannot both be
used, as an individual device. At least in one of the devices,
electrical contacts are exposed in the uncoupled condition so that
existing medical device safety standards, for example in relation
to protection from spray water, cannot be observed. In addition the
uncoupled individual devices generally do not meet the aesthetic
demands which are usual nowadays.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore the object of the present invention is to provide
a medical technology device which can be used both as an individual
device and also in conjunction with a second device as a device
arrangement and in that respect satisfies existing safety and
aesthetic demands.
[0007] According to the invention that object is attained by the
above-mentioned medical technology device in that the plug
connector is adapted to be movable from the active position into a
passive position, wherein in the passive position the plug
connector is removed from the top side of the device and the top
side is closed in substantially fluid-tight relationship.
[0008] The solution according to the invention has the advantage
that the medical technology device can be very easily converted
between an individual operating mode and a combination operating
mode. The possible uses of the device according to the invention
are thus considerably enhanced because it can now be used both as
an individual device and also as a combination device.
[0009] The solution according to the invention can be supplemented
by further advantageous configurations. Some such configurations
are described hereinafter.
[0010] Thus the medical technology device can have at least one
lift unit by which the plug connector is movably connected to the
rest of the device. That has the advantage that the plug connector
and therewith the medical technology device can be particularly
easily and quickly converted between the active and the passive
positions. In particular the lift unit can have a prismatic joint,
by means of which the plug connector is movable substantially
linearly from the active position into the passive position. One or
more cables connected to electric contacts of the plug connector
lead to the plug connector. It has been found that the linear
movement of the prismatic joint is particularly well suited for
carefully passing the cable to the plug connector. It will be
appreciated that alternatively the lift unit can also have a rotary
joint coupling or any other form of joint coupling.
[0011] Embodiments with a connecting wire or chain or also the
cable as a connecting element are also possible.
[0012] In order in a simple manner to ensure protection from spray
or splash water when the device is used as an individual device,
the device can include at least one cover means which closes the
top side of the device in the passive position in substantially
fluid-tight relationship. In addition the plug connector can be
connected to the cover means and arranged in the interior of the
device in the passive position. Thus the cover means, for example a
cover plate, serves at the same time as a holder for the plug
connector.
[0013] In a further advantageous configuration the device can have
at least one drive means which urges the plug connector from the
passive position in the direction of the active position. That has
the advantage that the plug connector automatically moves from the
passive position which involves poor access, in the interior of the
medical technology device, into the active position. By way of
example a spring element such as a compression coil spring can be
used as the drive means.
[0014] The invention further includes a medical technology device
arrangement for treatment of the human or animal body, comprising
at least two medical technology devices which are electrically and
mechanically connected together by way of a plug connector
arrangement, wherein the plug connector arrangement includes a plug
connector connected to the first device and a counterpart plug
connector which is connected to the second device and which is of a
complementary configuration to the plug connector. In order to be
able to use both devices separately the first medical technology
device is designed in accordance with one of the foregoing
embodiments.
[0015] In a particularly advantageous configuration of the device
arrangement the first device can be an ultrasound generator and the
second device can be an HF generator. There are many uses for
ultrasound generators and HF generators as individual devices and
also as a combination device so that this affords very many
possible uses for the device arrangement.
[0016] To connect combined ultrasound-HF instruments, the device
arrangement can be so adapted that in operation both a high
frequency current signal and also a signal for an ultrasound
instrument can be taken off simultaneously at the ultrasound
generator. Combined ultrasound-HF instruments produce for example
ultrasound energy for tissue cutting and use HF energy for
coagulating the tissue prior to cutting.
[0017] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by
means of embodiments by way of example illustrated in the drawings.
The different features can be combined together as desired, as also
in the above-described embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of an embodiment by way of
example of a device arrangement according to the invention,
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a first embodiment by
way of example of a medical technology device according to the
invention from above,
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the medical technology
device of FIG. 2 from below,
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a diagrammatic view of an embodiment by way of
example of a counterpart plug of the device arrangement of FIG.
1,
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a diagrammatic view of the counterpart plug
connector of FIG. 4 from above,
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic view of a further embodiment by
way of example of a medical technology device according to the
invention in an active position,
[0025] FIG. 7 shows a diagrammatic view of the medical technology
device of FIG. 6 in a passive position,
[0026] FIG. 8 shows a diagrammatic view of an embodiment by way of
example of a counterpart plug for a device arrangement with the
device of FIGS. 6 and 7,
[0027] FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic view of a further embodiment by
way of example of a medical technology device according to the
invention in an active position,
[0028] FIG. 10 shows a diagrammatic view of the medical technology
device of FIG. 9 in a passive position,
[0029] FIG. 11 shows a diagrammatic view of a plug connector of a
further embodiment by way of example of a medical technology device
according to the invention, and
[0030] FIG. 12 shows a diagrammatic view of the device arrangement
according to the invention as shown in FIG. 1 with connected
devices.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] A medical technology device arrangement 1 in FIG. 1 includes
an ultrasound generator 2 and an HF generator 3.
[0032] At the front side 4 the ultrasound generator 2 has a touch
screen operating panel 5 and output jacks 6a, 6b. On its housing
cover 7 at the top side, in the proximity of the front side 4, the
ultrasound generator 2 has an upwardly projecting plug connector 8.
Two holding bars 10 are disposed also projecting upwardly but
laterally as a prolongation of the side walls 9.
[0033] The output jacks 6a are adapted for the connection of
surgical ultrasound instruments and the output jacks 6b are adapted
for the connection of combined HF/ultrasound instruments. Combined
HF/ultrasound instruments can produce an ultrasound signal and in
addition have one or more electrodes for the delivery of HF energy
to the tissue to be treated. As the ultrasound generator 2 itself
cannot generate any HF energy for the combined HF/ultrasound
instruments, it is passed by way of the plug connector 8 from the
HF generator 3 into the ultrasound generator 2, as described in
greater detail hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 2 through 11. By
way of the touch screen operating panel 5 the user can perform the
necessary settings both for the individual mode of operation and
also the combination mode of operation. The holding bars 10 arrest
the ultrasound generator 2 in relation to the HF generator 3 in the
combined state and can be fixed to the generators 2, 3 with fixing
means such as for example screws. Alternatively the holding bars 10
for example can also be arranged as a prolongation of the rear
wall.
[0034] Similarly as in the case of the ultrasound generator 2,
arranged at the front side 11 of the HF generator 3 there are also
a touch screen operating panel 12 and various output jacks 13.
Provided in the bottom 14 of the housing of the HF generator 3,
though not visible in FIG. 1, is a counterpart plug connector 15 of
a complementary configuration to the plug connector 8 of the
ultrasound generator 2. The configuration of the counterpart plug
connector 15 is shown in FIG. 4 and is described in greater detail
hereinafter.
[0035] FIG. 1 shows the ultrasound generator 2 and the HF generator
3 in a position before they are connected. FIG. 12 shows the device
arrangement 1 with connected generators 2, 3, as they are disposed
in the combination mode of operation. It will be appreciated that
other medical technology devices can also be connected with the
plug connector according to the invention.
[0036] In the combination mode of operation the HF generator 3
transmits HF energy by way of the counterpart plug connector 15
coupled to the plug connector 8, to the ultrasound generator 2.
Otherwise the HF generator 3 also has all features of a
commercially available HF generator, which will not be discussed in
greater detail here.
[0037] Reference is now made to FIGS. 2 and 3 to describe in
greater detail a first embodiment of the medical technology device
2 according to the invention with the plug connector 8. For the
sake of enhanced clarity the parts which are not relevant to the
plug connector 8, such as for example the front side, of the
ultrasound generator 2, have been omitted from FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows the plug connector 8 in an active position in
which the plug connector 8 is extended and projects upwardly beyond
the housing cover 7. FIG. 3 shows the plug connector 8 in a passive
position in which it is retracted into the interior of the
ultrasound generator 2 so that the plug connector does not project
above the housing cover 7.
[0039] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 the plug connector 8 is
connected to a lift unit 16 fixed to the housing cover 7. The lift
unit 16 with the plug connector 8 is arranged in a rectangular
opening 26 in the housing cover 7. In FIGS. 2 and 3 the lift unit
16 is screwed to the housing cover 7 and the plug connector 8 is
screwed to the lift unit 16. Alternatively however they can also be
welded, riveted, glued or fixed in some other fashion. The lift
unit 16 has a rectangular flange frame 17 to which the plug
connector 8 is connected. The flange frame 17 is movably coupled to
a linear guide in the form of four guide rods 18. The guide rods 18
which are of equal length and which extend in mutually parallel
relationship are respectively fixed relative to each other at the
ends. The upper ends are connected to the housing cover 7 by way of
a reinforcing plate 19. The lower ends are connected to a
substantially U-shaped fixing plate 20. Compression coil springs 21
are arranged around the guide rods 18, between the flange frame 17
and the fixing plate 20.
[0040] The plug connector 8 is arranged linearly movably by the
lift unit 16. The flange frame 17, with the guide rods 18, forms a
prismatic joint 22, by means of which the plug connector 8 is
movable substantially linearly between the active position in FIG.
2 into the passive position in FIG. 3 in a direction of movement R.
The direction of movement R extends substantially at a right angle
to the plane of the housing cover 7. To reduce friction between the
guide rods 18 and the flange frame 17 anti-friction bushes for
example can be fitted into the flange frame 17.
[0041] The flange frame 17 is of a substantially two-stage
structure and has a wide lower flange and a narrow upper flange.
The wide lower flange is connected to the guide rods 18 and is
always disposed in the interior of the ultrasound generator 2. The
narrow upper flange is connected to the plug connector and projects
above the housing cover 7 in the active position. In the center the
flange frame 17 has a cable opening through which the cables (not
shown) can be passed to the plug connector.
[0042] The lift unit 16 can be arrested in the active position in
FIG. 2 to prevent unwanted lowering movement of the plug connector
8, for example when the two generators 2, 3 are being fitted
together. The arresting action can be effected for example by
screwing or however also by latching.
[0043] The compression coil springs 21 are provided as a drive unit
which always urges the lift unit 16 and therewith the plug
connector 8 in the direction of the active position. It is thus
particularly easy for the operator to move the plug connector 8
from the inwardly disposed passive position in which access to the
plug connector 8 is difficult, into the active position.
[0044] The ultrasound generator 2 further includes a cover portion
23 which closes the housing cover 7 in substantially fluid-tight
relationship in the passive position. The cover portion 23 is
produced for example from a metal plate screwed to the housing
cover 7. To enhance the sealing effect a seal can be arranged
between the cover portion 23 and the housing cover 7. The cover
portion 23 can also serve at the same time as an arresting means
which holds the lift unit 16 in the passive position. It will be
appreciated that alternatively a latching means or similar can also
be provided as a means for arresting the lift unit 16 in the
passive position.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows the counterpart plug connector 15 fitted in the
HF generator 3. The counterpart plug connector 15 is connected to a
funnel-shaped holder 44 fixed to the housing bottom 14. The
funnel-shaped configuration of the holder 44 facilitates
positioning of the plug connector 8 relative to the counterpart
plug connector 15 when coupling the two generators 2, 3. The
counterpart plug connector 15 with the holder 44 remains unchanged
when separating or connecting the two generators 2, 3. The
electrical contacts (not shown) in the counterpart plug connector
15 are so arranged that they cannot be touched by the operator when
the devices 2, 3 are separated.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows a view of the counterpart plug connector 15
from below. The counterpart plug connector 15 includes a mechanical
orientation projection 24 to prevent incorrect insertion, and bores
for fixing screws. In addition it has a plurality of contact pins
25 for transmission of various electrical signals such as for
example HF signals for monopolar and bipolar applications and
signals for connection recognition. The counterpart plug connector
15 is of a complementary configuration to the plug connector 8.
[0047] A further embodiment of the device 2 according to the
invention with an alternative lift unit 27 is shown in FIGS. 6 and
7 and described hereinafter. For the sake of brevity only the
differences in relation to the above-described embodiment are
considered here. FIG. 6 shows the housing cover 7 transparent, for
the sake of clarity. FIG. 6 shows the plug connector 8 with an
alternative lift unit 27 in the active position, while FIG. 7 shows
them in the passive position.
[0048] The lift unit 27 in FIGS. 6 and 7 includes a receiving shell
28, a turning plate 29 and an intermediate portion 30 to which the
plug connector 8 is fixed. The lift unit 27 also has a connecting
wire 31 as a mechanical movable connection between the turning
plate 29 and the receiving shell 28. An electrical connecting cable
32 connects the contacts (not shown) of the plug connector 8 to the
corresponding contacts (not shown) in the interior of the
ultrasound generator 2. The connecting cable 32 is longer than the
connecting wire 31 to avoid tensile forces on the connecting cable
32. The receiving shell 28 has a receiving depression 33 in which
the turning plate 29 extends in the active position in FIG. 6. The
contact pins 25 of the plug connector 8 extend substantially
parallel to the flat turning plate 29 which extends substantially
at a right angle to the housing cover 7 in the receiving depression
33. Thus in the active position the plug connector 8 projects above
the housing cover 7.
[0049] To move the plug connector 8 into the passive position the
turning plate 29 is removed from the receiving depression 33 and
placed on the receiving shell 28 in a position of being turned
through 90.degree. so that the plug connector 8 is in the interior
of the receiving depression 33. The passive position is shown in
FIG. 7 with a view on to the ultrasound generator 2 from above. The
turning plate 29 can be fixed in the passive position by fixing
means such as for example screws (not shown).
[0050] FIG. 8 shows a holder 35 for the counterpart plug connector
15, that is suited for the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7. Unlike the
holder 44 in FIG. 4 the holder 35 has a shaped depression 36 into
which the turning plate 29 can engage from below when the devices
2, 3 are connected.
[0051] A further embodiment of the device 2 according to the
invention with an alternative lift unit 37 is shown in FIGS. 9 and
10 and described hereinafter. For the sake of brevity only the
differences in relation to the above-described embodiments are
considered here. FIG. 9 does not show the housing cover 7 of the
ultrasound generator 2. FIG. 9 shows the plug connector 8 with an
alternative lift unit 37 in the active position while FIG. 10 shows
them in the passive position.
[0052] Like the embodiment of FIG. 6 the lift unit 37 of the
embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10 also includes a receiving shell 38, a
turning plate 39 and an intermediate portion 40 to which the plug
connector 8 is fixed. A connecting wire 41 in this case also
connects the turning plate 39 to the receiving shell 38. It will be
noted however that the turning plate 39 has to be rotated through
180.degree. to move the lift unit 37 from the active position in
FIG. 9 into the passive position in FIG. 10. The turning plate 39
can also be secured in the passive position in FIG. 10 for example
with fixing screws (not shown). For this embodiment it is also
possible to use the counterpart plug connector 15 with the holder
23 from FIG. 4.
[0053] A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 11.
FIG. 11 shows a double plug connector 42 in which a plug connector
8 is arranged at each end. The plug connectors 8 are fixed in a
housing 43 and the contacts thereof (not shown) are respectively
connected together in the interior of the housing. For use of the
double plug connector 42 both the ultrasound generator 2 and also
the HF generator 3 are equipped with the holder 44 and the
counterpart plug connector 15 of FIG. 4. In the active position the
double plug connector 42 is fitted on to the counterpart plug
connector 15 of the ultrasound generator 2. Thus the ultrasound
generator 2 can be connected to the HF generator 3. For the passive
position the double plug connector 42 is removed and a cover plate
closes the housing cover 7 in fluid-tight relationship.
* * * * *