ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS FOR DENTAL USE

• US 3,730,188 A
• Filed: 03/24/1971
• Issued: 05/01/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Irving A. Ellman
• Original Assignee: Irving A. Ellman
• Inventors: Ellman, Irving A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pace, Channing L.
• Application Number:
  US05/127,727
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303.14,303.17,423
• US Class Current: 606/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control

Abstract

Electrosurgical apparatus for dental use employing an electronic radio-frequency oscillator is described. The radio-frequency oscillator or R.F. generator is powered by an electronic power supply constructed to selectively deliver full-wave rectified voltage and current for excellent cutting with minimal hemostasis, half-wave rectified voltage and current providing moderate cutting with maximum hemostasis, and voltage and current between the full-wave rectified and half-wave rectified condition for combined good cutting and good hemostasis. A further variation makes selectively available filtered or unfiltered rectified voltage and current for further control over cutting and hemostasis.

Claims

1. Electrosurgical apparatus for dental use providing controlled cutting and coagulation comprising a radio-frequency oscillator circuit for generating at its output radio-frequency oscillating currents when activated by voltage at its input, means coupled to the output of said radio-frequency oscillator for applying said radio-frequency oscillating currents to a dental patient, a voltage supply circuit for receiving A.C. voltage and converting same to a rectified D.C. output voltage capable of activating said radio-frequency oscillator when applied to the oscillator input, means for applying the said output voltage of the supply circuit to the input of the radio-frequency oscillator, and means connected to said voltage supply circuit for selectively changing the waveform of its output voltage and thereby selectively modifying the radio-frequency oscillating currents generated by the oscillator when activated by said output voltage, said voltage supply circuit comprising a single-phase full-wave rectifier circuit comprising plural rectifiers capable of producing a fully-rectified output voltage, and the selective changing means comprising means connected to the rectifier circuit for producing a half-wave rectified output voltAge.

2. Electrosurgical apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the selective changing means comprises means for introducing resistance in series with at least one of the rectifiers to produce a rectified output voltage wherein the peak voltage is different for alternate half cycles.

3. Electrosurgical apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the selective changing means comprises means for connecting one of the rectifiers to the bridge circuit, means for disconnecting one of the rectifiers from the bridge circuit, and means for connecting one of the rectifiers in series with a fixed resistor in the bridge circuit.

4. Electrosurgical apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the selective changing means includes a variable resistance, and means for selectively connecting the variable resistance into the voltage supply circuit.

5. Electrosurgical apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the voltage supply circuit comprises a single phase full-wave bridge rectifier circuit and the selective changing means includes means for disabling at least one of the rectifiers.

6. Electrosurgical apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the rectifier circuit comprises a center-tapped transformer and two rectifiers, and the selective changing means comprises means for disconnecting one of the two rectifiers.

7. Electrosurgical apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein the selective changing means comprises means for introducing a resistance in series with one of the two rectifiers.

8. Electrosurgical apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the voltage supply circuit comprises filtering means, and the selective changing means comprises means for selectively connecting the filtering means to the voltage supply circuit.

9. Electrosurgical apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein the selective changing means comprises a three-position switch for connecting the filtering means in one switch position and for disabling part of the rectifying circuit in another switch position.