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.

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.

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.