Switch mechanisms for safe activation of energy on an electrosurgical instrument
First Claim
1. A safe activation switching mechanism coupling an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator comprising:
- a pair of high-energy contacts including a first high-energy contact and a second high-energy contact interconnecting an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator;
a pair of low-energy activation contacts including a first low-energy activation contact and a second low-energy activation contact coupled to the electrosurgical generator and configured to activate the electrosurgical generator; and
an actuator having a first portion configured to engage the first high-energy contact and the second high-energy contact and a second portion configured to engage the first low-energy activation contact and the second low-energy activation contact;
wherein initially engaging the first and second high-energy contacts operably connects the electrosurgical instrument to the energy source and subsequently the first and second low-energy activation contacts activate the electrosurgical generator to supply electrosurgical energy solely through the pair of high-energy contacts to eliminate arcing between the high-energy contacts.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various safe switching mechanisms are provided for use with electrosurgical instruments which prevent arcing between the high-energy contacts as the high-energy source is activated. The switching mechanisms generally include a pair of high-energy contacts and a pair of activation contacts. An actuator is provided which initially engages the high-energy contacts in advance of engagement of the activation contacts to prevent arcing and subsequently disengages the activation contacts in advance of the high-energy contacts as the energy source is deactivated. A method of switching power to an electrosurgical instrument while avoiding damage to high-energy contacts is also disclosed.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A safe activation switching mechanism coupling an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator comprising:
-
a pair of high-energy contacts including a first high-energy contact and a second high-energy contact interconnecting an electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator; a pair of low-energy activation contacts including a first low-energy activation contact and a second low-energy activation contact coupled to the electrosurgical generator and configured to activate the electrosurgical generator; and an actuator having a first portion configured to engage the first high-energy contact and the second high-energy contact and a second portion configured to engage the first low-energy activation contact and the second low-energy activation contact;
wherein initially engaging the first and second high-energy contacts operably connects the electrosurgical instrument to the energy source and subsequently the first and second low-energy activation contacts activate the electrosurgical generator to supply electrosurgical energy solely through the pair of high-energy contacts to eliminate arcing between the high-energy contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. An electrosurgical instrument assembly comprising:
-
an electrosurgical generator; and an electrosurgical instrument connected to the electrosurgical generator, the electrosurgical instrument including; a switch mechanism having a pair of high-energy contacts interconnecting the electrosurgical instrument and the electrosurgical generator; a pair of low-energy activation contacts coupled to the electrosurgical generator and adapted to activate the electrosurgical generator; and an actuator having a first portion for engaging the high-energy contacts in advance of engaging the low-energy activation contacts to supply electrosurgical energy solely through the pair of high-energy contacts to eliminate arcing between the high-energy contacts.
-
-
20. A method of safely activating a high electrosurgical instrument comprising the steps of:
-
providing a switch mechanism including a pair of high-energy contacts interconnecting the electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator a pair of low-energy activation contacts coupled to the electrosurgical generator and an actuator engageable with the high-energy contacts and the low-energy activation contacts; moving the actuator into engagement with the pair of high-energy contacts to interconnect the electrosurgical instrument and an electrosurgical generator; and subsequently moving the actuator into engagement with the pair of low-energy activation contacts to activate the electrosurgical generator to supply electrosurgical energy solely through the pair of high-energy contacts to eliminate arcing between the high-energy contacts.
-
Specification