High-frequency surgical device and operation monitoring device for a high-frequency surgical device

• US 6,864,686 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2002
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Storz Endoskop GmbH
• Original Assignee: Storz Endoskop GmbH
• Inventors: Kellenberger, Konrad, Novak, Pavel, Daners, Felix
• Primary Examiner(s): Deb, Anjan K.
• Application Number:
  US10/273,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20030036757A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 324/418, 324/419, 324/547, 324/421, 324/546, 324/522, 324/523, 324/654, 324/527, 700/292, 606/32, 606/34
• US Class Current: 324/419
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety

Abstract

A high-frequency surgical device encompassing control electronics that control a power unit which utilizes a high-frequency transformer that is the only galvanic separation between the supply voltage and the patient/user unit.

Claims

1. A function-monitoring device for high-voltage relays for surgical devices comprising:

a controllable voltage source, for generating a variable voltage;

a relay trigger circuit, for triggering a relay;

an inductivity measuring circuit, for measuring the inductivity of the relay; and

a control logic, for variably applying to the relay a first and a second direct current voltage and superimposing a first and second alternating current voltage over the first and second direct current voltages respectively to generate first and second measured values, and for comparing the first and second measured values to generate a new value, and for comparing the new value with a reference value.

2. The function-monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said trigger circuit is tuned to reed relays.

3. The function-monitoring device of claim 2, wherein the function-monitoring device has no electrical connection to high-frequency outlets of the high voltage to be monitored.

4. The function-monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the first direct current voltage applied to the relay is 0.0V.

5. The function-monitoring device of claim 1, wherein the second direct current voltage applied to the relay is the maximum voltage that can be applied to the relay without the relay closing.

6. The function-monitoring device of claim 1, wherein said control logic conducts a self-test prior to or following the application of the direct and alternating current voltages to the relay.

7. A method for monitoring the function of high-voltage relays for surgical devices comprising the steps of:

application of a first direct voltage, which does not cause magnetic saturation of the relays and does not cause the relays to close;

superimposition of an alternating current voltage onto the first direct current voltage to create a first measured value;

application of a second direct current voltage, which is the largest possible direct current voltage with which no relay contacts will close;

superimposition of an alternating current voltage onto the second direct current voltage to create a second measured value;

comparison of the second measured value with the first measured value to create a new value; and

comparison of the new value with a minimum reference value.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the first direct current voltage applied is zero volts.

9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of conducting a self-test prior to or following the process for monitoring the function of high-voltage relays for surgical devices.

10. A function-monitoring device for high-voltage relays for surgical devices comprising:

a direct current voltage source;

an alternating current voltage source;

an inductivity measuring circuit;

a logic controller;

wherein said logic controller applies a first direct current voltage to the relay and superimposes a first alternating current voltage over the first direct current voltage and generates a first measured value;

and said logic controller applies a second direct current voltage to the relay and superimposes the first alternating current voltage over the second direct current voltage and generates a second measured value;

and compares the first and second measured values to generate a new value, which is then compared to a reference value.

11. The function-monitoring device of claim 10, wherein said logic controller is tuned to reed relays.

12. The function-monitoring device of claim 11, wherein the function-monitoring device has no electrical connection to high-frequency outlets of the high voltage to be monitored.