CAUTERY

• US 3,662,151 A
• Filed: 11/17/1969
• Issued: 05/09/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1969
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Paul C. Haffey
• Original Assignee: Paul C. Haffey
• Inventors: Haffey, Paul C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bartis, A.
• Application Number:
  US04/877,339
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 219/221,227,230,231,233,235,241,501,232 128/303.1-303.19 30/140 83/16,171
• US Class Current: 219/233
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/08 by means of electrically-heated probes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/293 Of tool

Abstract

A hot wire surgical cautery has a casing which serves as a handle. A resistance wire cautery tip is connected to one end of the handle. Associated with the handle are two switches. The first switch responds to pressure from the surgeons'"'"''"'"'s finger to cause electric current to flow through the tip and heat the tip to the desired cauterizing temperature. The other switch, which may be either a finger-pressure actuated switch similar to the first switch or a mercury switch automatically operated by raising the tip end of the tool, enables an electric circuit connected to the cautery to increase the voltage applied to the tip and thereby appreciably increasing the temperature thereof. This increase in temperature cleans the tip by burning off undesired residue clinging thereto. The increase in tip temperature for cleaning purposes is only temporary and the normal tip energization is automatically restored after a short period of time regardless of whether the second switch remains closed. A temperature control provides the exact tip temperature desired.

Claims

1. Cauterizing apparatus for use with a source of electricity comprising an elongated handle;

a wire tip disposed at one end of said handle;

a first switch disposed on said handle and electrically connected with said wire tip to control the supply of electricity thereto;

a second switch disposed on said handle, said second switch being closed by said handle being placed in a rest position; and

electrical circuit means controlled by said second switch and adapted to receive electricity from the source, said circuit means including control means in circuit with said wire tip to control the electricity supplied thereto when said first switch is closed and timing means in circuit with said second switch and said control means and operative to provide an output for a predetermined period of time after said second switch is closed, said timing means providing said output only once after said second switch is closed regardless of how long said second switch remains closed, said control means having a first state supplying electricity from the source to said wire tip at a first voltage to place said wire tip at a cauterizing temperature and a second state supplying electricity from the source to said wire tip at a second voltage greater than said first voltage to place said wire tip at a cleaning temperature greater than said cauterizing temperature and said control means being normally in said first state and being in said second state under the control of said output from said timing means to maintain said wire tip at said cleaning temperature for only said predetermined period of time whereby said wire tip is placed at said cleaning temperature for only said predetermined period of time each time said second switch is closed.

2. The cauterizing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means is connected with said timing means such that said control means returns to said first state immediately upon cessation of said output.

3. The cauterizing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means includes transformer means having a first output terminal for supplying said first voltage and a second output terminal for supplying said second voltage, a first set of contacts connected between said first output terminal and said wire tip, and a second set of contacts connected between said second output terminal and said wire tip, said first set of contacts being closed when said control means is in said first state and being open when said control means is in said second state and said second set of contacts being open when said control means is in said first state and being closed when said control means is in said second state.

4. The cauterizing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said timing means includes a transistor having a base and an emitter-collector circuit, and a capacitor connected between said base and said second switch;

and said control means includes a relay having a winding connected in said emitter-collector circuit and contact means connected with said wire tip, said winding being energized by said transistor when said control means is in said second state.

5. The cauterizing apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a transformer having a secondary winding with first and second end terminals and an intermediate tap, a second capacitor and a first diode connected in series between said first and second end terminals, a first resistor connected with said first end terminal, and a second variable resistor connected with said intermediate tap;

said contaCt means includes a first set of contacts connected between said first resistor and said wire tip and a second set of contacts connected between said wire tip and said second variable resistor;

said first and second switches are each connected with said second end terminal;

said emitter-collector circuit and said winding are connected across said second capacitor; and

said timing means includes a third resistor connected with the junction of said first capacitor and said second switch and a diode connected with said base of said transistor and said third resistor.

6. The cauterizing apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said handle has a second end opposite said one end, and said rest position is defined by said handle being positioned with said one end higher than said second end.

7. The cauterizing apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said second switch is a gravity operated switch.

8. The cauterizing apparatus as recited in claim 7 wherein said second switch is a mercury switch.

9. Cauterizing apparatus for use with a source of electricity comprising an elongated handle;

a wire tip disposed at one end of said handle;

a first switch disposed on said handle and electrically connected with said wire tip to control the supply of electricity thereto;

a second switch disposed on said handle; and

electrical circuit means controlled by said second switch and adapted to receive electricity from the source, said circuit means including control means in circuit with said wire tip to control the amount of electricity supplied thereto when said first switch is closed and timing means connected with said second switch and said control means and operative to provide an output for a predetermined period of time after said second switch is closed, said control means having a first state supplying electricity from the source to said wire tip at a first voltage to place said wire tip at a cauterizing temperature and a second state supplying electricity from the source to said wire tip at a second voltage greater than said first voltage to place said wire tip at a cleaning temperature greater than said cauterizing temperature and said control means being normally in said first state and being in said second state under the control of said output from said timing means to maintain said wire tip at said cleaning temperature for only said predetermined period of time, said electrical circuit means including transformer means having a secondary winding, and a capacitor and a diode connected in series across said secondary winding, and said timing means including a transistor having a base and an emitter-collector circuit, a capacitor connected between said base and said second switch, and said control means including a relay having a winding connected in said emitter-collector circuit and contact means connected between said secondary winding and said wire tip, said winding being energized by said transistor when said control means is in said second state.