Wireless Electrosurgical Controller

• US 20100179541A1
• Filed: 01/13/2009
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Joseph, Daniel A., Zimmerer, Tatiana E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,235,917 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03 Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a wireless, bite activated switch for electrosurgery related electrosurgical systems, and methods of use thereof. During an electrosurgical procedure, a biocompatible switching device is gently held in the surgeon'"'"'s mouth, typically between the teeth. The surgeon may activate an electrosurgical device by biting down on the switch. In embodiments, the wireless, bite activated switch includes a passive RFID tag that is powered by a radiofrequency signal transmitted by an interrogator included within an electrosurgical system unit. The wireless, bite activated may include a unique identifier which enable the electrosurgical system unit to respond only to a designated wireless device.

Claims

1. A wireless switch, comprising:

a resilient housing having a top surface and a bottom surface configured for insertion within a user'"'"'s mouth;

an activator disposed within the housing and activatable in response to a force applied to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface;

an antenna configured to at least one of transmit and receive a radiofrequency signal, the antenna adapted to connect to a transponder, the transponder configured to receive a radiofrequency interrogatory signal and, in response thereto, sense the state of the activator, and transmit a radiofrequency response signal conveying the state of the activator to an electrosurgical energy source.

2. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the activator includes conductive resilient material.

3. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the activator is configured to provide tactile feedback upon activation.

4. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the activator is activatable in response to a compressive force applied to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface.

5. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the resilient housing is formed from material selected from the group consisting of vinyl, rubber, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane, and polypropylene.

6. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the resilient housing includes a flavoring.

7. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the transponder is further configured to transmit a unique identifier in response to a radiofrequency interrogatory signal.

8. A wireless switch, comprising:

a resilient housing having a top surface and a bottom surface;

an actuator disposed within the housing and activatable in response to a force applied to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface;

an antenna for transmitting and receiving a radiofrequency signal;

a transponder operatively coupled to the activator and the antenna, the transponder configured to receive a radiofrequency interrogatory signal and in response thereto, sense the state of the activator, and transmit a radiofrequency response signal conveying the state of the activator.

9. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 8, wherein the transponder includes an RFID tag.

10. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 8, wherein the transponder is powerable by an electric current induced by the radiofrequency interrogatory signal.

11. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 8, further comprising a power source operably coupled to the transponder.

12. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 8, wherein the transponder is further configured to transmit a unique identifier in response to a radiofrequency interrogatory signal.

13. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 8, wherein the resilient housing is formed from material selected from the group consisting of vinyl, rubber, silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane, and polypropylene.

14. The wireless switch in accordance with claim 8, wherein the resilient housing includes a flavoring.

15. An electrosurgical system, comprising:

an electrosurgical system unit comprising in operative communication;

an interrogator adapted to at least one of transmit a radiofrequency interrogatory signal and receive a radiofrequency response signal;

a controller;

an electrosurgical energy source configured to selectively provide electrosurgical energy; and

a user interface;

a wireless switch, comprising;

a resilient housing having a top surface and a bottom surface configured for insertion within a user'"'"'s mouth;

an activator disposed within the housing and activatable in response to a force applied to at least one of the top surface and the bottom surface;

an antenna configured to at least one of transmit and receive a radiofrequency signal, the antenna adapted to connect to a transponder, the transponder configured to receive a radiofrequency interrogatory signal and, in response thereto, sense the state of the activator, and transmit a radiofrequency response signal conveying the state of the activator to an electrosurgical energy source; and

an electrosurgical instrument operably coupled to the electrosurgical energy source.

16. The electrosurgical system according to claim 15, wherein activation of the wireless switch activates the electrosurgical energy source.

17. The electrosurgical system according to claim 16, wherein the electrosurgical system unit has a first operating mode and a second operating mode.

18. The electrosurgical system according to claim 17, wherein:

in the first operating mode, activation of the wireless switch causes to be generated an output indication; and

in the second operating mode, activation of the wireless switch activates the electrosurgical energy source.

19. The electrosurgical system according to claim 15, wherein:

a first activation of the wireless switch causes the electrosurgical energy source to be activated; and

a second activation of the wireless switch causes the electrosurgical energy source to be deactivated.

20. The electrosurgical system according to claim 15, wherein:

activation of the wireless switch causes the electrosurgical energy source to be activated for a predetermined period of time.