MONOPOLAR ELECTROSURGICAL MULTI-PLUG CONNECTOR DEVICE AND METHOD WHICH ACCEPTS MULTIPLE DIFFERENT CONNECTOR PLUGS
First Claim
1. A multi-plug connector device for mechanically and electrically connecting multiple different types of connector plugs of foot-switched monopolar electrosurgical handpieces to an electrosurgical generator, comprising:
- a base defining a passageway through which the connection plugs are inserted for connection to the connector device and withdrawn for disconnection from the connector device;
a pivot arm having a forward end and a socket connector located at the forward end, the pivot arm connected relative to the base to pivot between a first position in which the socket connector is located in alignment with the passageway and a second position in which the socket connector is located out of alignment with the passageway, the socket connector including a socket for receiving a first type of connector plug inserted through the passageway into the socket when the pivot arm is in the first position;
a pivot electrode having a forward contact arm and a middle contact arm, the pivot electrode connected relative to the base to pivot between a first position and a second position, the first position of the pivot electrode contacting the forward contact arm with the socket connector when the pivot arm is in the first position, the second position of the pivot electrode locating the middle contact arm within the passageway in contact with a second type of connector plug inserted through the passageway when the pivot arm is in the second position; and
an electrical contact member electrically connected to the pivot electrode to conduct current to the pivot electrode.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Each of a banana pin connector plug, a rolled sheet metal connector plug and a Bovie connector plug are electrically and mechanically connected an electrosurgical generator with a single adapter-less multi-plug connector device. These three connector plugs are prevalently used to connect foot-switched monopolar electrosurgical handpieces to the generator. A socket is moved into a position to connect to the banana pin connector plug, and the socket is moved out of position to permit a contact arm to move into contact with the rolled sheet metal connector plug and the Bovie connector plug.
49 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A multi-plug connector device for mechanically and electrically connecting multiple different types of connector plugs of foot-switched monopolar electrosurgical handpieces to an electrosurgical generator, comprising:
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a base defining a passageway through which the connection plugs are inserted for connection to the connector device and withdrawn for disconnection from the connector device;
a pivot arm having a forward end and a socket connector located at the forward end, the pivot arm connected relative to the base to pivot between a first position in which the socket connector is located in alignment with the passageway and a second position in which the socket connector is located out of alignment with the passageway, the socket connector including a socket for receiving a first type of connector plug inserted through the passageway into the socket when the pivot arm is in the first position;
a pivot electrode having a forward contact arm and a middle contact arm, the pivot electrode connected relative to the base to pivot between a first position and a second position, the first position of the pivot electrode contacting the forward contact arm with the socket connector when the pivot arm is in the first position, the second position of the pivot electrode locating the middle contact arm within the passageway in contact with a second type of connector plug inserted through the passageway when the pivot arm is in the second position; and
an electrical contact member electrically connected to the pivot electrode to conduct current to the pivot electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. In an electrosurgical generator, a single multi-plug connector device which accepts and mechanically connects to each one of a banana pin connector plug, a rolled sheet metal connector plug and a Bovie connector plug which are electrically connected to a foot-switched monopolar electrosurgical handpiece.
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15. A multi-plug connector device for mechanically and electrically connecting each one of a banana pin connector plug, a rolled sheet metal connector plug and a Bovie connector plug to an electrosurgical generator, comprising:
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a base defining a passageway through which the connection plugs are inserted for connection to the connector device and withdrawn for disconnection from the connector device;
a socket connector defining a socket into which the banana pin connector plug is inserted;
a first member connected to the socket connector and operative to move the socket connector and the socket into and out of alignment with the passageway;
a contact arm for contacting the rolled sheet metal connector plug and the Bovie connector plug;
a second member connected to the contact arm and operative to move the contact arm into and out of alignment with the passageway; and
an interconnection between the first and second members which moves the socket connector into alignment with the passageway and the contact arm out of alignment with the passageway in one operative position and moves the socket connector out of alignment with the passageway and the contact arm into alignment with the passageway in another operative position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of electrically and mechanically connecting each one of a banana pin connector plug, a rolled sheet metal connector plug and a Bovie connector plug to an electrosurgical generator one connector plug at a time, comprising:
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defining a passageway through which each of the connection plugs are inserted for connection to and withdrawn for disconnection from the electrosurgical generator;
moving a socket into the passageway into which the banana pin connector plug may be inserted; and
moving a contact arm into the passageway by which to contact the rolled sheet metal connector plug and the Bovie connector plug. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification