U.S. patent number 3,624,590 [Application Number 04/762,582] was granted by the patent office on 1971-11-30 for clamp for disposable ground plate electrode.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Medical Plastics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Lee R. Bolduc.
United States Patent |
3,624,590 |
Bolduc |
November 30, 1971 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
CLAMP FOR DISPOSABLE GROUND PLATE ELECTRODE
Abstract
An electrosurgical unit using high-frequency currents having an
active electrode and a patient indifferent ground plate. The plate
is a disposable flexible ground plate electrode having an
electrically conductive skin releasably attached to a clamp
connected to a line leading to a power supply. A test circuit tests
the electrical connection between the clamp and the skin of the
plate electrode. The releasable connector has a flat contact plate
in surface engagement with the skin of the ground plate electrode.
One form of the connector has a pair of connected plate contacts
attached to and pivotally mounted on flat electrically insulative
covers.
Inventors: |
Bolduc; Lee R. (Minneapolis,
MN) |
Assignee: |
Medical Plastics, Inc.
(Minneapolis, MN)
|
Family
ID: |
25065482 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/762,582 |
Filed: |
September 25, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/269.1;
439/656 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01R
31/52 (20200101); H02H 11/001 (20130101); H01R
13/193 (20130101); G01R 31/54 (20200101); H01R
11/24 (20130101); A61N 1/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61N
1/04 (20060101); H01R 11/11 (20060101); H01R
13/02 (20060101); H01R 13/193 (20060101); H01R
11/24 (20060101); G01R 31/02 (20060101); H02H
11/00 (20060101); H01r 013/54 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/303.18,303.17,303.14,303.13,404,416,418 ;340/256
;339/14,149,150,151,174,176,200,206,207,208,220,255P,74,261,266,58,13,75R,75M |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Champion; Marvin A.
Assistant Examiner: Staab; Lawrence J.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An electrical connector attachable to an edge of a disposable
ground plate electrode having a generally flat, flexible base, an
electrically conductive skin means attached to and substantially
covering one side of the base, said skin means having a substantial
surface area for engagement with a surface of a body to make a
large surface electrical contact between the skin means and the
surface of the body, the improvement of: electrical conductor means
having generally flat contact plate means located in a plane and
positionable in physical engagement with the electrically
conductive skin means of the plate electrode, electrically
insulative first cover means attached to the conductor means and
covering outer portions of the conductor means, electrical line
means attached to the conductor means, means facing the plate means
of the electrical conductor means and engageable with the plate
electrode on the side thereof opposite the electrical conductor
means, electrically insulative second cover means attached to the
means facing the plate means and covering outer portions of the
means facing the plate means, biasing means for yieldably urging
the plate means of the electrical conductor means toward the means
facing the electrical conductor means whereby the plate means of
the electrical conductor means is maintained in physical engagement
with the electrically conductive skin means, said connector having
a portion extended at an angle away from the plane of the plate
means and a space for an edge of the plate electrode, pivoting
means cooperating with the first cover means and second cover means
to control the pivotal movement of the first cover means and second
cover means, said first and second cover means adapted to receive a
force operable to move the plate means of the electrical conductor
means away from the means facing the plate means.
2. The connector of claim 1 wherein each cover means has a
transverse wall
3. The connector of claim 2 wherein each cover means has a flat
outer side, a transverse recess in the forward portion of the outer
side of the cover means, said wall forming each bottom of the
recess in each cover means.
4. The connector of claim 3 including closure means for covering
the recesses.
5. The connector of claim 1 wherein the conductor means includes
the biasing means, said biasing means having outwardly curved body
sections having forward ends secured to the plate means and means
facing the plate means, and rear ends secured together, said curved
body sections biasing the conductor means toward the means facing
the conductor means.
6. The connector of claim 1 wherein each cover means has a
forwardly and outwardly directed nose extended substantially
parallel to the plate means. 7The conductor of claim 7 wherein: the
contact plate means comprises separate electrical conductor contact
plates, each plate having a substantially flat surface engageable
with separate portions of the skin
means. 8. The connector of claim 1 wherein: the extended portion on
the connector comprises at least one projection extended through a
hole in the
plate electrode. 9. The connector of claim 1 wherein: the means
facing the plate means is generally flat second electrical contact
plate means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 711,949, now U.S. Pat. No.
3,543,760 describes as disposable ground electrode and connector
usable in an electrosurgical unit for cautery, fulguration,
electrocoagulation and the like. The connector has a substantial
flat surface engageable with the conductor skin of the ground
electrode to provide a surface electrical contact between the
connector and the ground electrode. The test circuit of the present
invention functions to test the electrical contact between the
connector and the ground electrode and provides a control so that
when the circuit through the ground electrode is completed, the
ground electrode will be automatically placed in a second
high-voltage circuit.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The invention related to a connector attachable to a flat ground
plate electrode having an electrically conductive skin. The
connector has an electrical conductor positioned in positive
surface engagement with the electrically conductive skin of the
plate electrode. A biasing means yieldably urges and holds the
conductor in engagement with the electrically conductive skin. The
conductor is supported on a pivoted structure adapted to receive a
force operable to move the electrical conductor away from the skin
so that the connector can be disconnected from the plate electrode.
In one form the connector has structure adjacent the conductor
extended at an angle relative to the plane of the conductor to
cooperate with a portion of the electrode to positively hold the
conductor in assembled relationship with the plate electrode so
that it cannot be accidentally removed or partially separated from
the electrode when the conductor is held in physical engagement
with the skin. The connector can be a bipolar device having a pair
of spaced electrical contact members with flat surfaces clamped
into surface engagement with the skin of the ground plate
electrode. One form of the connector has cover members which
support and insulate the electrical plate contacts.
In the drawings
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical-surgical unit
equipped with the ground electrode and connector of the invention
used on a patient lying on an operating table;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the releasable connector attached
to an edge of the ground plate electrode;
FIG. 3 is a side view of one form of the connector of FIG. 2,
partly sectioned, in assembled relation with a ground plate
electrode;
FIG. 4 is an electrical diagram of the test and control
circuit;
FIG. 5 is a plan view with parts broken away of another form of the
connector;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6--6 of
FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further form of the
connector;
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the connector of FIG. 7 partly broken away
to illustrate the contact plates;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG.
8; and
FIG.10 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 10--10 of
FIG.8.
Referring to the drawing there is shown in FIG. 1, an
electrosurgical unit indicated generally at 10 illustrated in
operating environment on a patient 11 lying on a table 12. Table 12
is supported on floor 13 by an upright base 14 to locate the
patient in a convenient position for surgeon 16.
The electrosurgical unit 10 uses high-frequency current from a
portable transformer 17 connected to power supply lines 18 and to
an active electrode 19 by a cable or line 20. The circuit through
the patient 11 is completed with a ground plate electrode 21
located in contact with an area of the skin of the patient. A line
or cable 22 connected to the electrode 21 through a releasable
connector indicated generally at 23 clamped to the ground plate
electrode 21 completes the circuit to the transformer. The opposite
end of line 22 is connected to a test and control circuit indicated
generally at 24 carried by the transformer 17. In use, the surgeon
16 prior to operative use of the active electrode 19 will visually
observe a light 63 on the test and control circuit to see if the
releasable connector 23 is in electrical contact with the ground
plate electrode 21 and determine if high voltage is present in the
operating circuit.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, there is shown the disposable ground
plate electrode 21 as having a flat base 26 covered with an
electrically conductive skin 27. Plate 21 has an end flange or flap
28 folded over forming a stop edge 29. The base can be impregnated
with a plastic material which bonds the skin 27 to the top of the
base. The skin is an electrically conductive material, as sheet
metal or aluminum foil. The ground plate electrode 21 is described
in detail in copending U.S. application Ser. No. 711,949, filed
Mar. 11, 1968 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,543,760.
The releasable connector 23 functions to provide an electrical
connection between the cable 22 and the ground plate electrode 21.
Connector 23, shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, has a C-clamp 31 pivotally
carrying a pair of angularly disposed levers 32 and 33. As shown in
FIG. 2, lever 32 has separated contact plates 34 and 36 and
rearwardly directed conductor arms 34A and 36A separated with
plastic or other nonelectrically conductive material 37. Lever 33
may have similar separated plates formed with a rearwardly directed
lip 38A to hold the contact plates 34 and 36 in flat surface
engagement with the electrically conductive skin 27 of the ground
plate electrode 21.
Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a modified conductor 23A having
a plate 40 carrying a downwardly directed projection or finger 39
extended through a hole 41 in plate 21 and hole 42 in the lip 38A.
The other contact plate may also have a similar projection or
finger located in aligned holes in plate 21 and separated lip. The
projections positively lock the releasable connector 23A to the
ground electrode plate 21 so that it can not be accidentally
removed or partially separated from the plate electrode 21.
The entire C-clamp and exposed portions of the levers 32 and 33 are
coated with a plastic insulative material so that the connector can
not short out the ground electrode 21 causing burning of the
patient. The lines 43 and 44 from the cable 22 are connected to the
terminal portions of the conductors 34A and 36A respectively shown
in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown connector 23 in assembled
relation with the ground plate electrode 21 along with the test and
control circuit 24. The transformer 17 provides the circuit 24 with
a low-voltage source 46 and a high-voltage source 47. Line 48
connects a coil 49 of a relay 51 to the low-voltage source 46. The
coil 49 is connected to line 43 leading to the conductor arm 34A. A
manually operated control switch 52 interposed in the line 48
between the coil 49 and the low-voltage source 46 controls the
circuit for the low-test voltage and the circuit for the high
voltage. The low-voltage circuit is completed with a line 53
connected to the line 44 leading to the opposite conductor arm 36A
of the connector 23. Relay 51 has three contacts 54, 55 and 56 and
a pair of movable switching elements 57 and 58 operably associated
with the coil 49. Switching element 57 is connected with a line 59
to the line 43. Switching element 58 is connected with a line 61 to
the line 44. The contact 54 is connected to a line 62 which leads
to the low-voltage line 48. A light 63 is interposed in the line 62
to indicate an improper or insulated electrical connection between
the connector 23 and ground electrode 21. The light 63 may be
replaced with an electrically operated sound-producing device or
other signal means to provide a sensing signal indicating a
defective electrical connection between the connector 23 and the
ground electrode 21. Both contracts 55 and 56 are connected to the
high-voltage line 64 to complete one line of the high voltage
circuit. The high-voltage circuit is completed through the patient
11, the ground electrode 21 and line 20.
In use, the switch 52 is closed connecting the high-voltage source
46 to the connector 23. With the relay 51 in its normal position
the switching elements 57 and 58 are out of engagement with the
contacts 55 and 56. The element 58 engages the contact 54 closing
the circuit to the light 63. When the light 63 is "on," there is
nonelectrical contact between the connector 23 and the electrode 21
in that current does not flow via the ground electrode 21 between
the contact plates 34 and 36. When the connector 23 is in proper
electrical contact with the electrode 21, the low-voltage circuit
is completed through the plates 34 and 36 via the electrical
conductive skin 27 to energize the coil 49. This moves the
switching elements 57 and 58 into engagement with the contacts 55
and 56 thereby opening the circuit to the light 63 and closing the
high-voltage circuit to the connector 23. Both contact plates 34
and 36 are connected in the high voltage circuit by virtue of the
two switching elements 57 and 58. The high-voltage circuit is
completed through the active electrode 19, the patient 11 and the
cable 20.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown the modified flat
connector indicated generally at 66 for connecting the line 22 to
the disposable ground plate electrode 21. The connector 66 has a
pair of identical clamp contact members 67 and 68 formed from
conductive material, as sheet metal. The contacts 67 and 68 are
enclosed in and secured to flat identical covers 69 and 71 of
electrically insulative material such as plastic and the like. The
contact members 67 and 68 are identical in structure and are
located in spaced side relation in the cover to form a bipolar
connector.
As shown in FIG. 6, clamp contact member 67 comprises a pair of
conductor members 72 and 73 having engaging transverse ribs 74 and
76 secured together, as by spot welds, to form a one-piece clamp.
The center or body sections 77 and 78 of the members curve
outwardly to form a transverse chamber 79. The forward portion of
members 72 and 73 are flat contact plates 80 and 81 which are
biased together by the curved sections 77 and 78. Projected
upwardly from the front and rear edges of the sections 80 and 81
are pairs of upright ears 82 and 83 securing the plates 80 and 81
to the covers 69 and 71. The forward or front edges of the plate
contacts 80 and 81 have transverse outwardly directed flanges 84
and 86 extend over the front side of cover walls 87 and 92
respectively. Flange 84 is located in a transverse groove 89 along
the front side of wall 87.
Located on opposite sides of the wall 87 are holes 88 for
accommodating the ears 82. Wall 87 forms the bottom of the recess
90 in the cover 69 which is closed with a strip closure 91 mounted
on the cover flush with the flat outer side of the cover 69. The
member 72 is fastened to the wall 87 by turning the ears 82 over
the top of the wall 87. Member 73 is attached to the wall 92 in a
similar manner. The ears 83 project through holes 93 in the cover
on opposite sides of the wall 92 with the forward flange 86 located
in a transverse groove 94. The cover 69 has a recess 96 for the
turned over ears 83 which is closed with a strip closure 97 mounted
on the cover flush with the flat outer side of the cover 71. With
the members 72 and 73 secured to the walls 87 and 92 respectively,
the transverse curved bodies 77 and 78 are in transverse engagement
along bearing or fulcrum lines 98 and 99 with transverse
midportions of the covers 69 and 71. The lines 98 and 99 extend
along the midsection of the covers rearwardly of the walls 87 and
92, so that movement of the covers 69 and 71 toward each other in
the direction of the arrows 100, the covers 69 and 71 will fulcrum
along the fulcrum lines 98 and 99 spreading the plate contacts 80
and 81 whereby the ground plate electrode 21 may be inserted
between the plate contacts 80 and 81. The biasing action of the
curved sections 77 and 78 will hold the plate contacts 80 and 81 in
flat surface engagement with opposite sides of the ground plate
electrode 21.
The peripheral edges of the covers 69 and 71 have inwardly directed
side and end flanges 101 and 102 located in a relative lapped
relation so that the covers can be moved toward each other and
enclose the electrical connections of the lines 43 and 44 to the
clamp contact members 67 and 68 respectively.
As shown in FIG. 6, the front edges of the covers 69 and 71 have
forwardly projected and outwardly tapered nose portions 103 and 104
which provide rearwardly converging guide surfaces leading to the
plate contacts 80 and 81. The nose portions 103 and 104 extend
transversely parallel to the plate contacts 80 and 81 and are
separated from each other forming a mouth 94.
Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, there is shown a further modified flat
connector indicated generally at 106 attached to a line 107 adapted
to be connected to an electrosurgical electrosurgical unit as shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,543,760. The connector 106 has a pair of
cooperating flat electrically insulative identical covers 108 and
109 enclosing and mounting electrical clamp plates indicated
generally at 111. The covers can be molded from plastic material,
as a polycarbonate resin (L exan).
The clamp plates 111 comprises a pair of identical electrical
conductor members 112 and 113 formed of sheet metal having
transverse ribs 114 and 116 secured together by spot welds or the
like. The ribs 114 and 116 are joined to outwardly curved body
sections 117 and 118 terminating in transverse facing flat contact
plates 119 and 121. The body sections 117 and 118 are curved in
opposite directions and form a chamber or space 115 for the edge of
the ground electrode 21. Transversely along the front of the plates
119 and 121 are outwardly directed flanges 123 and 124. Each member
112 and 113 is formed from a single metal blank which is stamped or
otherwise deformed to make the rib, body contact plate and flange.
Flange 122 has front and rear ears 124 which extend over a
transverse wall 127 of the cover 108. The flange 122 projects into
a transverse groove 129 located along the front of wall 127. Flange
123 is in a similar groove 131 located in the cover 109 adjacent to
the forward edge of the wall 129. The contact plate 121 has ears
126 which extend over the edges of the wall 128 to secure the
member 113 to the cover 109. As shown in FIG. 10, the ends of the
contact plates 119 and 121 are also held in the covers 108 and 109
by side lips 108a and 109a.
Returning to FIG. 9, the ears 124 and 126 are in recesses 134 and
136 on the outer sides of the covers 108 and 109 respectively. The
walls 127 and 128 form the bottom of the recesses as well as the
supports for the contact plates 112 and 113. Closure members 137
and 138 fit into the top of the recesses 134 and 136 to close the
recesses.
Covers 108 and 109 have transverse front nose portions 139 and 141
with converging faces leading to mouth 142. The nose portions 139
and 141 form tapering tapering transverse groove or mouth 142 which
is used to direct the edge of the ground electrode directly in
front of the contacting portions of the contact plates 119 and 121.
The outwardly directed body sections 117 and 118 have transverse
and parallel pivot or fulcrum lines 143 and 144 for the covers 108
and 109. The inside midportions of the covers 108 and 109 contact
the fulcrum lines 143 and 149 so that on squeezing the rear
portions of the covers 108 and 109, as indicated by the arrow 149,
the nose portions 139 and 141 will move away from each other
spreading the contact plates 119 and 121. On release of the
squeezing force on the covers 108 and 109, the resilient spring
action of the members 112 and 113 will force the contact plates 119
and 121 toward each other into surface contact with each other or a
ground electrode.
The covers 108 and 109 have inwardly directed side and end flanges
146 and 147 which are offset relative to each other to enclose the
rear portion of members 112 and 113. The flanges have hole 148 for
the cord or line 109 which is attached to the flange 114 by a
connection 151 shown in FIG. 8.
Connector 106 is usable to make an electrical connection with any
type of electrical conductor member having a generally flat portion
engageable with at least one of the plate contacts. The conductor
covers are identical in size and shape so that they can be made
from a single mold. The electrical conductor members 112 and 113
are also identical members secured together along ribs 114 and 116
to form a spring clamp. The ears 124 and 126 can be turned over
with an assembling die to secure the contact plates to the covers
108 and 109.
* * * * *