Medical instrument and handle assembly

• US 4,147,163 A
• Filed: 09/06/1977
• Issued: 04/03/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Newman, Richard W., Connors, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schnall, Jerome
• Application Number:
  US05/831,058
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 128/9, 362/183, 320/2, 320/3, 320/15
• US Class Current: 600/200
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00032 internally powered
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00034 rechargeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/227 for ears, i.e. otoscopes

Abstract

A battery handle for an electrically illuminated diagnostic instrument, the handle being able to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable cells. The handle is constructed so that rechargeable cells can be recharged without removing the cells from the handle. Non-rechargeable cells are insulated from the recharging circuit so that if the handle is inadvertently placed in a recharging unit with non-rechargeable cells in it, the latter will not be damaged. The handle includes a neck portion to which different diagnostic instruments can be releasably connected, and with no instruments attached the neck portion can be used as a general illuminator with particular utility as a throat illuminator.

Claims

1. A battery handle for a medical diagnostic instrument, the handle being arranged to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable type cells, a pair of the latter cells being assembled in a pack that is dimensionally different than a pair of the former, a movable contact member engageable with a terminal of whichever type of cell is employed in the handle, means in the handle to complete a circuit between the cells and a light source, said last-named means including means for conducting current from one end of the handle to the other, current conducting means forming a part of the recharging circuit for the rechargeable cells, said last-named means being insulated from the handle current conducting means, the movable contact members when engaging the terminal of a non-rechargeable cell being position so as to contact the handle current conducting means, the movable contact member when engaging the terminal of a rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the recharging circuit current conducting means whereby the cell can be recharged.

2. A battery handle as defined in claim 1 wherein the handle includes a light source, and a neck portion to which the head portion of the diagnostic instrument can be releasably secured, the light source being positioned in said neck portion.

3. A battery handle as defined in claim 2 wherein the instrument head portion is secured to the handle neck portion by a threaded connection.

4. A battery handle as defined in claim 2 wherein the light source and neck portion are arranged so that the handle can be effectively used for diagnostic purposes with or without the instrument head portion.

5. A battery handle for a medical diagnostic instrument, the handle being adapted to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable type cells, a pair of the latter being assembled in a pack having a different length than the overall length of a pair of the former, a movable contact in the handle engageable with a terminal of whichever type cell is employed in the handle, said contact being spring biased into engagement with the terminal, means in the handle to complete a circuit between the cells and a lamp, said last-named means including means for conducting current from a point in the handle adjacent the movable contact to one terminal of the lamp, a current conducting member forming a part of the recharging circuit for the recharging cells, said last-named member being adjacent the movable contact and insulated from the means for conducting current to said one lamp terminal, the movable contact when engaging the terminal of a non-rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the means for conducting current to said one lamp terminal, the movable contact when engaging the terminal of a rechargeable cell being positioned so as to contact the conducting member of the recharging circuit whereby the cell can be recharged.

6. A battery handle as defined in claim 5 wherein a portion of the conducting member of the recharging circuit is accessible from outside the handle for recharging.

7. A battery handle as defined in claim 5 wherein the handle includes a lamp, and a neck portion to which the head portion of the diagnostic instrument can be releasably secured, the lamp being positioned in the neck portion.

8. A battery handle as defined in claim 7 wherein the instrument head portion is secured to the handle neck portion by a threaded connection.

9. A battery handle as defined in claim 7 wherein the lamp and neck portion are arranged so that the handle can be effectively used for diagnostic purposes with or without the instrument head portion.

10. A battery handle as defined in claim 7 together with heat insulating means encircling the lamp.