Dual mode electrosurgical pencil
US5098430A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 16, 1990 |
| Grant date | Mar 24, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01H2300/014
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A novel dual mode electrosurgical pencil is provided for conventional tissue cutting/coagulation use in a first mode of operation, and gas-enhanced coagulation by fulguration in a second mode of operation. The electrode and nozzle of the pencil are provided in a manner that permits relative positioning thereof, wherein the electrode extends sufficiently beyond the nozzle in the first mode for direct tissue contact, and is sufficiently nested within the nozzle in the second mode to accommodate laminar gas stream flow for effective gas-enhanced fulguration. In a preferred embodiment, a spring is utilized to maintain the nozzle in a retracted positiion during first mode use, and the pressure of an inert gas supply is utilized to move the nozzle from a retracted first mode position to a protracted second mode position. First and second mode control switches are provided on the gripping portion of the novel pencil in the preferred embodiment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.