Handle For High Frequency Electrodes

Abstract

A handle for high frequency electrodes, particularly for use in high frequency surgery has built-in switches for operating a high frequency generator so as to change its outgoing energy, frequency etc. The device is particularly characterized in that contact elements depending from a magnetic field are used as the operating switches and that a permanent magnet is located in the handle.

Description

This invention relates to a handle for high frequency electrodes, particularly for use in high frequency surgery which is provided with built-in switches for operating a high frequency generator so as to change its outgoing energy, its frequency and the like.

Existing handles of this type have mechanical switch contacts which are actuated by push bottoms or tumbler switches. Handles are also known wherein the rotation of a mounted sleeve with inserted slip rings provides the operation of the generator.

Existing devices have the drawbacks of a comparatively complicated construction, slow contact connection, switch locations which under certain circumstances do not operate precisely and mechanical as well as electrical wear out at the contacts.

An object of the present invention is to eliminate these drawbacks and to provide a device of the described type of simplified construction and yet of higher operational efficiency.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the accomplishment of the objectives of the present invention it was found desirable to use as actuating switches contact elements depending from a magnetic force and to provide a permanent magnet connected with the handle. In addition to the advantages of simple structure and simple and safe service this construction has the advantage of high contact security with unequivocal switching locations.

It is advantageous to arrange the magnet on or in a handle portion constructed as a slide. It is also advantageous to apply controlling springs to the slide in such manner that it can be shifted linearly from a predetermined zero position to the operating positions and to arrange the operation of the high frequency generator so that when the magnet is shifted over the contact elements the generator can be switched on at the same time. As operating switches are preferably used contact elements embedded in protective mass, so-called reed contacts.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing showing by way of example only, a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a handle constructed in accordance with the present invention, parts being shown in section.

FIG. 2 is a sectional plan view.

The drawing shows a handle having a casing 1 and a high frequency conductor having the shape of a thin narrow strip 2. The conductor is located in the casing and it connects a high frequency cable 3 with a high frequency electrode 5 partially enclosed in a metal box 4. A plastic protecting plate 6 is firmly connected with the casing 1 and is connected directly over the high frequency conductor 2. Two shifted reed contacts 7 and 8 are cast into the plastic plate 6. The contacts 7 and 8 actuate the high frequency generator through the actuating lines 9 and 10 as well as the high frequency cable 2 serving as the common return conduit for the lines, in such manner that when the contact 7 is closed the high frequency generator is switched, for example, to the coagulation operation and when the contact 8 is closed it is switched to the cutting operation. When the contacts are open the high frequency generator is switched off.

The selection between the cutting operation and the coagulation operation takes place by a permanent magnet 12 mounted in a slide 11. When the slide 11 is moved in the direction of the arrow 13 up to a stop 14 of a guide 15 against the force of a spring 16, then the permanent magnet 12 will be placed directly over the contact 8 and will close this contact.

When the slide 11 is moved in the direction of the arrow 17 up to a stop 18 of the guide 15 against the force of a spring 19, then the magnet 12 will be placed directly over the contact 7 so that this contact will be closed. In the zero position of the slide 11 determined by the springs 16 and 19 (which is that illustrated in the drawing) the magnet is located in an intermediate position between the contacts 7 and 8. The two contacts are both open in this position of the magnet 12, so that the high frequency generator is switched off. A screw in the bore 20 is used for connecting the guide 15 with the plate 6.

Claims

I claim:

1. For use with a high frequency surgery generator, high frequency surgery electrodes, a handle for said electrodes, said handle comprising a casing having a box for retaining said electrodes, high frequency conducting means connecting said electrodes with said generator, switching means, and actuating lines connecting said switching means with said generator for changing its output values, said switching means comprising two reed contacts for separately switching said generator to different output values and a slide actuated magnet biased to assume a zero position between said reed contacts and movable from said zero position to actuate any one of said contacts.

2. A handle in accordance with claim 1, comprising a protecting plate carried by said casing, said reed contacts being embedded in said protecting plate.

3. A handle in accordance with claim 1, comprising springs biasing said slide actuated magnet into said zero position.

4. A handle in accordance with claim 1, wherein said high frequency conducting means comprise a common electrical return conduit for said actuating lines.