Electrosurgical apparatus
First Claim
1. An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument, the assembly comprising an elongate tubular shaft mounting on a distal end portion thereof at least one electrode, an electrical conductor passing through the shaft and connected to the electrode, and, mounted on a proximal end portion of the shaft, mounting means for detachably mounting the assembly to a handpiece of the instrument, the mounting means comprising a first component shaped for attachment to the handpiece in a non-rotational relationship, and a second component rotatably coupled to the first component and secured to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft with respect to the first component about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the conductor terminating in a contact portion housed in the first component and being formed so as to allow the electrode, the shaft, a part of the conductor in the distal end portion of the shaft, and the second component to rotate with respect to the first component and the contact portion about the longitudinal axis.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument has an elongate tubular shaft with electrodes mounted on a distal end and, on a proximal end of the shaft, means for detachably mounting the assembly in a handpiece of the instrument. Electrical conductors pass through the shaft from the electrodes to contacts on the mounting means which are located so as to make a connection with a radio frequency source. The mounting means takes the form of a housing shaped for attachment to the handpiece in a non-rotational relationship and, rotatably located within the housing, a sleeve which is fixed to the shaft. The conductors terminate in contact portions secured in the housing of the mounting means and are so formed as to allow the electrodes, the shaft, parts of the conductors in the distal end portions, the shaft, and the sleeve to rotate with respect to the housing and the contact portions about the axis of the shaft.
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Citations
15 Claims
- 1. An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument, the assembly comprising an elongate tubular shaft mounting on a distal end portion thereof at least one electrode, an electrical conductor passing through the shaft and connected to the electrode, and, mounted on a proximal end portion of the shaft, mounting means for detachably mounting the assembly to a handpiece of the instrument, the mounting means comprising a first component shaped for attachment to the handpiece in a non-rotational relationship, and a second component rotatably coupled to the first component and secured to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft with respect to the first component about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the conductor terminating in a contact portion housed in the first component and being formed so as to allow the electrode, the shaft, a part of the conductor in the distal end portion of the shaft, and the second component to rotate with respect to the first component and the contact portion about the longitudinal axis.
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12. An electrosurgical instrument comprising a handpiece and an electrode assembly detachably mounted to the handpiece, wherein the electrode assembly comprises an elongate tubular shaft mounting on a distal end portion thereof at least one electrode, an electrical conductor passing through the shaft and connected to the electrode, and, mounted on a proximal end portion of the shaft, mounting means for detachably mounting the assembly to a handpiece of the instrument, the mounting means comprising a first component shaped for attachment to the handpiece in a non-rotational relationship, and a second component rotatably coupled to the first component and secured to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft with respect to the first component about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the conductor terminating in a contact portion housed in the first component and being formed so as to allow the electrode, the shaft, a part of the conductor in the distal end portion of the shaft, and the second component to rotate with respect to the first component and the contact portion about the longitudinal axis, and
wherein the handpiece includes electrical supply conductors at least one of which has a contact for sliding contact with said contact portion of the assembly.
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14. An electrode assembly for an electrosurgical instrument, the assembly comprising an elongate tubular shaft mounting on a distal end portion thereof a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of corresponding electrical conductors passing through the shaft and connected to the electrodes, and, mounted on a proximal end portion of the shaft, mounting means for detachably mounting the assembly to a handpiece of the instrument, the mounting means comprising a first component shaped for attachment to the handpiece in a non-rotational relationship, and a second component rotatably coupled to the first component and secured to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft with respect to the first component about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the conductors terminating in a plurality of corresponding contact portions housed in the first component and being formed so as to allow the electrodes, the shaft, a part of each conductor in the distal end portion of the shaft, and the second component to rotate with respect to the first component and the contact portions about the longitudinal axis.
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15. An electrosurgical instrument comprising a handpiece and an electrode assembly detachably mounted to the handpiece, wherein the electrode assembly comprises an elongate tubular shaft mounting on a distal end portion thereof a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of corresponding electrical conductors passing through the shaft and connected to the electrodes, and, mounted on a proximal end portion of the shaft, mounting means for detachably mounting the assembly to a handpiece of the instrument, the mounting means comprising a first component shaped for attachment to the handpiece in a non-rotational relationship, and a second component rotatably coupled to the first component and secured to the shaft and rotatable with the shaft with respect to the first component about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the conductors terminating in a plurality of corresponding contact portions housed in the first component and being formed so as to allow the electrodes, the shaft, a part of each conductor in the distal end portion of the shaft, and the second component to rotate with respect to the first component and the contact portions about the longitudinal axis, and
wherein the handpiece includes a plurality of electrical supply conductors each contacting a corresponding contact portion of the assembly.
Specification