High volume fluid seal for electrosurgical handpiece

• US 8,162,937 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Cunningham, James S., Romero, Paul R., Roy, Jeffrey M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lucchesi, Nicholas D
• Assistant Examiner(s): STOHR, LEAH C
• Application Number:
  US12/163,134
• Publication Number:
  US 20090322034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 606 20- 52, 606/41, 606/42
• US Class Current: 606/42
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1402 Probes for open surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A fluid resistant seal connector for an electrosurgical handpiece includes a housing adapted to be supported within an electrosurgical handpiece. The housing includes opposing half sections each having an inner peripheral surface. The fluid resistant seal further includes a first seal adapted to engage an activation circuit of the handpiece and at least one second seal adapted to engage an electrosurgical supply wire in a fluid-tight relationship therewith. At least one of the first and second seals is configured to complement the inner peripheral surface of the housing.

Claims

1. A fluid resistant seal connector for an electrosurgical handpiece, comprising:

a housing adapted to be supported within an electrosurgical handpiece, the housing including opposing half sections each having a peripheral groove formed therein; and

a first seal adapted to engage an activation circuit of the handpiece and at least one second seal adapted to engage an electrosurgical supply wire in a fluid-tight relationship therewith, at least one of the first and second seals configured to complement the peripheral grooves formed in the housing.

2. An electrosurgical handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed of a first material and the seals are formed of a second material.

3. An electrosurgical handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the housing half sections are formed via an injection molding process.

4. An electrosurgical handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the first seal includes mutually engaging opposing sections that engage and encapsulate a portion of the activation circuit upon assembly of the housing.

5. An electrosurgical handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the second seal includes mutually engaging opposing sections that engage and encapsulate a portion of the activation circuit upon assembly of the housing.

6. An electrosurgical handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the activation circuit is a voltage divider network.

7. An electrosurgical handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of support members disposed on an inner surface thereof, the plurality of support members configured to support an electrical connection between the supply wire and the activation circuit.

8. An electrosurgical handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a plurality of support members disposed on an outer surface thereof, the plurality of support members configured to support and secure the housing within the electrosurgical handpiece.

9. An electrosurgical handpiece according to claim 1, wherein the housing half sections are coupled together utilizing at least one of an adhesive, a fastener, a welding process, and sonic energy.

10. A fluid resistant seal connector for an electrosurgical handpiece, comprising:

a housing adapted to be supported within an electrosurgical handpiece, the housing including opposing half sections each having a peripheral groove formed therein;

a first seal adapted to engage an activation circuit of the handpiece and at least one second seal adapted to engage an electrosurgical supply wire in a fluid-tight relationship therewith, at least one of the first and second seals configured to complement the peripheral grooves formed in the housing, the seals including mutually engaging opposing sections that encapsulate and secure the respective activation circuit and supply wire upon assembly with the opposing half sections of the housing; and

a plurality of support members disposed on the outer periphery of the housing configured to engage an inner surface of the electrosurgical handpiece wherein upon assembly of the handpiece, the support members compress the housing to enhance the fluid-tight seal between the housing, activation circuit and support wire.

11. A method of manufacturing a fluid seal connector for an electrosurgical handpiece, comprising:

providing;

a housing adapted to be supported within an electrosurgical handpiece, the housing including opposing half sections each having a peripheral groove formed therein; and

a first seal and at least one second seal configured to complement the peripheral grooves formed in the housing;

engaging the first seal with an activation circuit;

engaging the second seal with an electrosurgical supply wire; and

assembling the housing such that the first and second seals encapsulate the respective activation circuit and supply wire in a fluid-tight manner.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the housing of the providing step further includes a plurality of support members disposed on an outer periphery thereof and configured to engage an inner surface of the electrosurgical handpiece, wherein upon assembly of the handpiece, the support members compress the housing to enhance the fluid-tight seal between the housing, activation circuit and support wire.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the providing step further comprises forming the housing half sections via an injection molding process.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising providing a plurality of support members disposed on an inner surface of the housing configured to support an electrical connection between the supply wire and the activation circuit.

15. A method according to claim 11, further comprising forming the housing and the seals as an assembly via a two-shot injection molding process.

16. A method according to claim 11, further comprising coupling the housing half sections together utilizing at least one of an adhesive, a fastener, a welding process, and sonic energy.

17. A method according to claim 11, wherein the activation circuit of the engaging the first seal step is a voltage divider network.

18. A method according to claim 11, wherein the first seal of the providing step includes mutually engaging opposing sections that engage and encapsulate a portion of the activation circuit upon assembly of the housing.

19. A method according to claim 11, wherein the second seal of the providing step includes mutually engaging opposing sections that engage and encapsulate a portion of the activation circuit upon assembly of the housing.

20. A method according to claim 11, further comprising forming the housing of a first material and forming the seals of a second material.