Connector systems for electrosurgical generator

• US 7,416,437 B2
• Filed: 08/23/2006
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Sherwood Services AG
• Inventors: Sartor, Joe Don, Huseman, Mark Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US11/508,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20060281360A1
• Time in Patent Office: 734 Days
• Field of Search: 439/489, 439/157, 439/909, 439/912, 439/218, 439/219, 439/651, 439/652, 606/42, 606/41, 606/48, 606/50, 128/898
• US Class Current: 439/489
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery

Abstract

A connector system for coupling electrosurgical instruments to electrosurgical generators is provided. The connector system includes a plug portion connectable to an electrosurgical instrument, the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument having a shape specific to a particular manufacturer; and a plug receptacle portion supported on the electrosurgical generator; the plug receptacle portion being shaped to receive the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument of the particular manufacturer and the plug portion of the electrosurgical instrument of any other manufacturer.

Claims

1. A connector system for connecting an electrosurgical instrument to an electrosurgical generator, the connector system comprising:

a plug portion connectable to the electrosurgical instrument, said plug portion including a plurality of pins and a prong that extend therefrom, said prong retaining one or more electrical contacts therein;

a plug receptacle portion disposed within the generator, said plug receptacle portion defining a recess for receiving at least a portion of said plug portion therein, said plug receptacle portion including a plurality of apertures for receiving respective ones of said plurality of pins and a prong receptacle for receiving said prong; and

a tactile feedback mechanism pivotabley connected to the plug receptacle portion and adapted to engage the plug portion via a camming pin when the plug portion is inserted into the plug receptacle portion.

2. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the prong includes a plurality of electrical contacts.

3. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the prong has a first geometry and said prong receptacle has a second geometry different from the first geometry which is matingly compatible with said first geometry of said prong.

4. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the prong has at least one of a generally L-shaped cross-sectional profile and a rectilinear-shaped profile.

5. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein each aperture includes a contact terminal operatively associated therewith.

6. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the tactile feedback mechanism provides positive feedback to the user that the plug portion has been properly inserted into the plug receptacle portion.

7. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the prong receptacle has an L-shaped cross-sectional profile.

8. The connector system according to claim 7, wherein the L-shaped cross-sectional profile defines a corner that blocks insertion of a three pin plug into the plug receptacle when the three pin plug is being inserted upside down.

9. The connector system according to claim 5, wherein the plug receptacle portion includes at least one contact pin extending therethrough.

10. The connector system according to claim 9, wherein the contact pins are positioned to contact respective ones of the electrical contacts of the prong.

11. The connector system according to claim 10, wherein the prong has an overall width which is less than about 0.43 inches and an overall height which is less than about 0.38 inches.

12. The connector system according to claim 11, wherein the prong receptacle has an overall width which is greater than about 0.39 inches and an overall height which is greater than about 0.324 inches.

13. The connector system according to claim 1, wherein the plug portion includes a plug housing configured to receive a connecting wire therein, the connecting wire having a power pin extending therefrom.

14. The connector system according to claim 13, wherein the prong is positioned closer to a first side edge of the plug housing than a second side edge thereof, wherein the second side edge is opposite the first side edge thereof.

15. The connector system according to claim 13, wherein the plug portion includes symbology provided on a surface thereof.

16. The connector system according to claim 15, wherein the symbology includes information regarding the operative parameters of the electrosurgical instrument.

17. The connector system according to claim 13, wherein the power pin is positioned closer to a first side edge of the plug housing than a second side edge thereof, wherein the second side edge is opposite the first side edge thereof.

18. The connector system according to claim 17, wherein the plug portion further includes at least one position pin extending from the plug housing.

19. The connector system according to claim 18, wherein a first position pin extends from the plug housing near the second side edge and in substantially the same direction as the power pin, and a second position pin extends from the plug housing at a location off-set from the center thereof and in the same direction as the power pin.

20. The connector system according to claim 19, wherein the prong is positioned between the power pin and the second position pin.

21. A connector system for coupling electrosurgical instruments to electrosurgical generators, the connector system comprising:

a first plug portion connectable to a first electrosurgical instrument, the first plug portion of the first electrosurgical instrument having a first configuration;

a plug receptacle portion supported on an electrosurgical generator, the plug receptacle portion being configured to receive the first plug portion of the first electrosurgical instrument and to receive a second plug portion of a second electrosurgical instrument that has a second configuration different than the first configuration of the first plug portion; and

a tactile feedback mechanism pivotabley connected to the plug receptacle portion and adapted to engage the plug portion via a camming pin when the plug portion is inserted into the plug receptacle portion.

22. The connector system according to claim 21, wherein the tactile feedback mechanism provides positive feedback to the user that the first plug portion has been properly inserted into the plug receptacle portion.

23. The connector system according to claim 21, wherein the first plug portion includes symbology provided on a surface thereof, the symbology including information regarding the operative parameters of the first electrosurgical instrument.

24. The connector system according to claim 21, wherein the first plug portion further includes a prong having a particular shape extending therefrom.

25. The connector system according to claim 24, wherein the prong has an L-shaped cross-sectional profile and includes at least one electrical contact.

26. The connector system according to claim 25, wherein the plug receptacle portion includes a prong receptacle formed therein configured and dimensioned to receive the prong therein.

27. The connector system according to claim 26, wherein the prong receptacle includes at least one pin extending therefrom for contact with a corresponding electrical contact.

28. The connector system according to claim 26, wherein the prong has an overall width which is less than about 0.43 inches and an overall height which is less than about 0.38 inches.

29. The connector system according to claim 26, wherein the prong receptacle is configured and dimensioned to block insertion of the second plug portion that is being inserted in an incorrect orientation.