Cautery override safety systems endoscopic electrosurgical suction-irrigation instrument
US5312327A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 9, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 17, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 9, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M1/772
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrocautery suction/irrigation endoscopic instrument having an electrocautery safety override is provided. The instrument preferably includes a cannula, an irrigation conduit in fluid communication with the cannula, an irrigation valve for regulating fluid flow in the irrigation conduit, an actuator coupled to the valve, an electrocautery probe coupled to a source of current, and an electrical switch coupled to the source of current and to either the irrigation valve or to the actuator. When the actuator is activated to permit fluid flow through the irrigation conduit, the switch is switched and prevents the flow of cautery current from the current source to the electrocautery probe. Preferably, the switch opens a DC circuit which is used to signal the current source to provide an high voltage AC electrocautery current. Alternatively, the switch may be located in the high voltage AC circuit. Both foot and thumb activated cut/coag switches are disclosed for use with the instrument.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.