Switch arrangements for ultrasonic surgical instruments
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a handle housing configured to be supported in one hand, a shaft extending from the handle housing, and a switch assembly coupled to the handle housing, the switch assembly comprising:
- a first switch arrangement operably supported on a forward portion of the handle housing and being selectively movable relative to at least one first switch contact; and
a second switch arrangement, comprising;
a right switch button movably supported on a right side of the handle housing, the right switch button being selectively movable relative to at least one right switch contact supported by the handle housing;
a left switch button, wherein the handle housing defines a first pivot mount and a second pivot mount on a left side of the handle housing, an axis extending from the first pivot mount to the second pivot mount defining a left switch button axis, and wherein the left switch button is pivotally mounted on the first pivot mount and the second pivot mount along the left switch button axis;
a pivot arm coupled to the left switch button and extending into the handle housing, the pivot arm comprising an actuator portion; and
a left switch contact positioned in the handle housing, wherein the left switch button is pivotable in a downward direction about the left switch button axis to rotate the pivot arm in an upward direction, and wherein the rotation of the pivot arm in the upward direction brings the actuator portion into contact with the left switch contact from below the left switch contact, and wherein the first and second switch arrangements are configured to be selectively operated by a single hand supporting the handle housing.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Switch assemblies for handheld ultrasonic surgical instruments. The switch assemblies may include a first switch arrangement that is operably supported on a forward portion of a handle housing of the surgical instrument and is selectively movable relative to at least one first switch contact. The switch assembles may further include a second switch arrangement that comprises at least one of a right switch button that is movably supported on a right side of the handle housing relative to at least one right contact and a left switch button that is movably supported on a left side of the handle housing that is selectively movable relative to at least one left contact.
2310 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a handle housing configured to be supported in one hand, a shaft extending from the handle housing, and a switch assembly coupled to the handle housing, the switch assembly comprising:
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a first switch arrangement operably supported on a forward portion of the handle housing and being selectively movable relative to at least one first switch contact; and a second switch arrangement, comprising; a right switch button movably supported on a right side of the handle housing, the right switch button being selectively movable relative to at least one right switch contact supported by the handle housing; a left switch button, wherein the handle housing defines a first pivot mount and a second pivot mount on a left side of the handle housing, an axis extending from the first pivot mount to the second pivot mount defining a left switch button axis, and wherein the left switch button is pivotally mounted on the first pivot mount and the second pivot mount along the left switch button axis; a pivot arm coupled to the left switch button and extending into the handle housing, the pivot arm comprising an actuator portion; and a left switch contact positioned in the handle housing, wherein the left switch button is pivotable in a downward direction about the left switch button axis to rotate the pivot arm in an upward direction, and wherein the rotation of the pivot arm in the upward direction brings the actuator portion into contact with the left switch contact from below the left switch contact, and wherein the first and second switch arrangements are configured to be selectively operated by a single hand supporting the handle housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
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a generator for generating ultrasonic signals; a handle assembly including a handle housing configured to be operably supported in one hand; a switch assembly, comprising; a first switch arrangement operably supported on a forward portion of the handle housing and being selectively movable relative to at least one first switch contact communicating with the generator; and a second switch arrangement, comprising; a right switch button movably supported on a right side of the handle housing, the right switch button being selectively movable relative to at least one right switch contact supported by the handle housing and operably communicating with the generator; a left switch button, wherein the handle housing defines a first pivot mount and a second pivot mount on a left side of the handle housing, an axis extending from the first pivot mount to the second pivot mount defining a left switch button axis, and wherein the left switch button is pivotally mounted on the first pivot mount and the second pivot mount along the left switch button axis; a left switch pivot arm coupled to the left switch button and extending into the handle housing, the left switch pivot arm comprising an actuator portion; and a left switch contact positioned in the handle housing and operably communicating with the generator, wherein the left switch button is pivotable in a downward direction about the left switch button axis to rotate the left switch pivot arm in an upward direction, and wherein the rotation of the left switch pivot arm in the upward direction brings the actuator portion into contact with the left switch contact, and wherein the first and second switch arrangements are configured to be selectively operated by a single hand supporting the handle housing. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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Specification