ISOLATING SWITCHING CIRCUIT FOR AN ELECTROSURGICAL GENERATOR

• US 3,801,800 A
• Filed: 12/26/1972
• Issued: 04/02/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: David W. Newton
• Original Assignee: David W. Newton
• Inventors: Newton, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, James R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ginsburg, M.
• Application Number:
  US05/318,177
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 128/303.14,303.17 307/117,116 250/208,209,217SS
• US Class Current: 327/514
• 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 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0066 without feedback, i.e. open loop control

Abstract

An isolating switching circuit suitable for use in an electrosurgical generator to transmit mode information from an electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical power generator is disclosed. A selected light emitting diode is energized in accordance with the setting of a mode of operation switch located in the electrosurgical instrument. The light thus emitted impinges on an associated light activated transistor. The thusly activated light activated transistor in turn controls the mode of operation of the electrosurgical power generator so that the desired cutting or coagulating R.F. potential is generated. Alternatively no light emitting diode is energized and the electrosurgical generator idles.

Claims

1. In an electrosurgical apparatus having an electrosurgical power generator and an electrosurgical instrument, an isolating switching circuit to transmit mode information from said electrosurgical instrument to said electrosurgical power generator, said isolating switching circuit comprising:

a control device mounted in said electrosurgical instrument;

light emitting means for selectively emitting at least one light beam, said light emitting means connected to said control device so as to be activated by said control device;

light sensing means for sensing said at least one light beam generated by said light emitting means and for generating a control voltage in accordance therewith; and

, control means connected to said light sensing means for controlling the operation of said electrosurgical power generator in a manner determined by the light sensed by said light sensing means.

2. An isolating switching circuit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control device comprises a switch located in said electrosurgical instrument, and wherein said light emitting means comprises first and second light emitting diodes selectively energized in accordance with the operation of said control device.

3. An isolating switching circuit as claimed in claim 2 wherein said light sensing means includes first and second light activated transistors selectively energized by said light emitting diodes.

4. An isolating switching circuit as claimed in claim 3 wherein said light emitting means also includes a DC-to-DC converter connected so as to energize said light emitting diodes in accordance with the operation of said control device.

5. An isolating switching circuit as claimed in claim 4 wherein said switch is a single pole double throw switch connected so that one of said light emitting diodes is energized when said switch is in one position and the other of said light emitting diodes is energized when said switch is in the other position.

6. An isolating switching circuit as claimed in claim 5 wherein said control means comprises first and second relays selectively operated by said light activated transistors.