Switch assembly for electrosurgical instrument
US9820806B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 29, 2009 |
| Grant date | Nov 21, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2018/1246
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including jaw members at a distal end thereof. The forceps also includes a switch assembly that includes a supporting member, a flexible membrane circuit having snap dome switch contacts operably fixed thereto, and ergonomically-contoured keytops. The switch assembly provides at least one monopolar activation switch, and a bipolar activation switch. The forceps also include a drive mechanism which causes the jaw members to move relative to one another for manipulating tissue. A monopolar safety switch is incorporated into the switch assembly which cooperates with the drive mechanism to inhibit the monopolar activation switch when the jaw members are in an open position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.