U.S. patent number 3,799,168 [Application Number 05/229,720] was granted by the patent office on 1974-03-26 for electro-surgical handle.
Invention is credited to Rudolph W. Peters.
United States Patent |
3,799,168 |
Peters |
March 26, 1974 |
ELECTRO-SURGICAL HANDLE
Abstract
A disposable electro-surgical handle in which a single electrode
may be provided with different shapes at its respective ends, such
as a blade and a ball. Either end of the electrode is insertable
into the handle and is releasably secured therein. A spring loaded
current conducting clip insures electrical contact with the
electrode.
Inventors: |
Peters; Rudolph W. (Oakland,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
22862432 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/229,720 |
Filed: |
February 28, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/45; 403/3;
606/49; 439/172 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
18/1402 (20130101); H01R 11/18 (20130101); Y10T
403/12 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
18/14 (20060101); H01R 11/11 (20060101); H01R
11/18 (20060101); A61b 017/40 (); A61n 003/00 ();
H01r 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/303.13,303.14,303.17,303.18,303.19,404,405,406 ;306/43
;339/18TP,31T,31R,255R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Pace; Channing L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Zimmerman; Harris
Claims
I claim:
1. An electro-surgical device including an elongated insulated
handle having a bore therethrough, an electrical conductor entering
one end of said bore, a member slidably mounted in said bore and
electrically connected to said conductor, means resiliently urging
said member towards the other end of said bore, an electrode
receivable in the other end of said bore, said electrode having an
elongated insulated body having a conductor therein and extending
beyond the ends of said body, both ends of said electrode conductor
constituting both a surgical tool and a member engaging portion of
the electrode conductor whereby said electrode may be reversed in
said handle, and stop means limiting entry of said electrode into
said bore, said stop means being spaced from the end of the
electrode conductor a distance causing movement of said member
against said resilient means upon full insertion of the electrode
into said handle.
2. An electro-surgical device including an elongated insulated
handle having a bore therethrough, said bore having a transaxial
shoulder at one end of said bore, an electrical conductor entering
said one end of said bore, a radially enlarged detent receiving
means, comprising a circumferential groove, at the other end of
said bore, a first electrically conductive member seated in said
bore against said shoulder and connected to said conductor, a
second electrically conductive member slidably mounted in said bore
and axially spaced from said first conductive member, resilient
means interposed between said first and second members and
mechanically and electrically connecting said members, said
resilient means including a spring operatively connected to said
members, said first and second members having a generally C-shaped
cross-sectional configuration, and each said member having a flange
which faces the flange of the other said member.
3. An electro-surgical device including an elongated insulated
handle having a bore therethrough, said bore having a transaxial
shoulder at one end of said bore, an electrical conductor entering
said one end of said bore, a radially enlarged detent receiving
means, comprising a circumferential groove, at the other end of
said bore, a first electrically conductive member seated in said
bore against said shoulder and connected to said conductor, a
second electrically conductive member slidably mounted in said bore
and axially spaced from said first conductive member, said
resilient means interposed between said first and second members
and mechanically and electrically connecting said members, an
electrode receivable in said other end of said bore, said electrode
having an elongated insulated body having a conductor therein and
extending beyond the ends of said body, one end of said electrode
engaging said second member and the other end of said electrode
conductor constituting a surgical tool, both ends of said electrode
constituting both a surgical tool and a member engaging portion of
the electrode conductor whereby said electrode may be reversed in
said handle, stop means on said electrode limiting entry of said
electrode into said bore, said stop means being spaced from the end
of the electrode conductor a distance causing movement of said
second member against said resilient means upon full insertion of
the electrode into said handle, said electrode being provided with
a radially extending detent engageable in said radially enlarged
detent receiving groove.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electro-surgical equipment is in widespread use, and typically,
such devices include a manually engageable handle connected to a
current supply source with a tool electrode extending from one end
of the handle and electrically connected to the supply source. The
tool in most instances will be a flat blade electrode used for
cutting or the like, or a ball electrode used for effecting
coagulation and the like.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an
electro-surgical handle which can be manufactured in a simple and
economical manner, thereby permitting the same to be discarded
after a single use.
Another object of the invention is to provide such a handle in
which the electrode may be readily inserted and releasably held in
position, with means being provided to insure proper electrical
contact with the electrode.
A further object of the invention is to provide a device as above
described in which the electrode has a surgical functioning portion
at each end thereof, and in which such electrode may be inverted
into operative engagement with the handle with either end portion
exposed.
THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the tool of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the tool with the
handle and electrode in operative relationship;
FIG. 2-A is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with the electrode
reversed;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the handle and
electrode separated; and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view, similar to
FIG. 3, but with portions broken away.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In broad terms, the tool of the present invention comprises a
generally cylindrical handle 10, an electrode 12, and a current
conductor 14 for bringing a current from a supply source (not
shown), through handle 10 and then to the electrode. As will be
understood, the electrode is the actual surgical tool, and
depending upon its particular configuration, may be used for
cutting, cauterizing, coagulation, etc. Handle 10 is formed of a
non-conducting material, and preferably of a plastic material which
permits the same to be injection molded.
A bore 16 extends longitudinally of the handle for the medial
portion of its length, such bore communicating adjacent the rear
end portion of the handle with a restricted passage 18, a
transaxial passage 20 being defined at the juncture of such passage
with the bore. At the other or front end portion of the tool, the
bore 16 is provided with an enlarged annular groove 22 which
communicates with an outwardly flared opening 24, the latter
constituting the inlet for electrode 12, as will be more fully
described hereinafter.
Conductor 14 includes a center metal core 28 and an insulating
cover 30; the remote end of the conductor being connected to the
electrical power supply source. The conductor is inserted through
the rear end portion of handle 10 through bore 18 and in assembling
the handle, the end core 28, from which the insulation has been
stripped, is pushed through the handle to the opening 24 thereof. A
generally C-shaped metal clip 32 is then secured to such core end.
Said clip has a cylindrical portion 34 having a bore for receiving
the core and such portion is receivable in passage 18. The clip
further has a transaxial wall 36 which seats against shoulder 20,
an annular flange 38 extending forwardly and engaging the wall of
bore 16, and terminating in an inwardly directed lug 40. A weak
compression spring 42 has one end thereof secured in clip 32
between wall 36, flange 38 and lug 40. The other end of the spring
is engaged with a second metal clip 44, likewise of generally
C-shaped configuration, but oppositely directed to clip 32. That
is, clip 44 has a transaxial wall 46, an annular flange 48
extending rearwardly and engaging the wall of bore 16, and inwardly
directed lug 50. The spring thus serves as an electrical conductor
between clips 32 and 44 and also serves to resiliently urge clip 44
to the right or forwardly in the unloaded condition of the handle,
as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
Reference may now be made to electrode 12, best illustrated in FIG.
3. The electrode has a plastic or other insulated body 54 through
which a metal element 56 extends beyond both ends of the body. Each
end of the element is provided with a surgical shape, such as a
blade 58 at one end and a ball 60 at the other end. The medial
portion of the body is provided with transaxial shoulders 63 and 64
engageable with the front end 66 of the handle, and serving as
stops to limit the degree of entry of the electrode into the
handle. The length of the electrode from each outer end to its
associated shoulder is substantially the same.
As best seen in FIG. 2, when the electrode is inserted in the
handle until the associated shoulder stop engages handle end 66, an
end of the electrode will have engaged the forward surface of clip
wall 46 and moved clip rearwardly a small amount by effecting a
compression of spring 42. A circumferential detent 68 and 70 is
provided outwardly of each shoulder and each such detent will
resiliently seat in and engage groove 22 when the electrode is
fully inserted in the handle. Such engagement is sufficient to hold
the electrode against axial expulsion by spring action, but readily
permits deliberate removal of the electrode and, if desired,
reversal thereof and reinsertion of the electrode into the handle
for exposing the other end electrode tool.
It should be appreciated that the slight amount of spring
compression will effectively insure electrical contact between clip
44 and the electrode element 56, whether the ball 60 or blade 58 is
in engagement therewith. Since the conductor core 28 feeds current
to clip 44 through clip 32 and spring 42, the electrode is properly
energized at all times.
* * * * *