Disposable probe tip for electro-surgical device

Claim 2

In a hand-held electro-surgical unit having a tubular housing, a nose piece configurated to be mounted on the tubular housing, and a conductive sleeve extending through the nose piece, the improvement comprising a disposable probe tip interchangeably received in the nose piece within the conductive sleeve, said probe tip being formed of an elongate tubular member having a central bore; and a probe tip wire extending through said bore, a first portion of said wire extending beyond one end of said tubular member to an operative position suitable for contacting the human body for treatment thereof, and a second portion of said wire being anchored to said tubular member and projecting in a transverse direction relative to the latter to engage the conductive sleeve when the probe tip is received in the latter.

Claim 3

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 1, wherein said probe tip wire comprises an elongate wire folded substantially at the midpoint thereof to form said first wire portion in the shape of a loop.

Claim 4

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 2, wherein said first wire portion is in the form of a diamond-shaped loop.

Claim 5

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 2, wherein said second portion comprises an ear provided at each free end of said probe tip wire formed by bending each of the latter into a substantially closed loop.

Claim 6

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 4, wherein said ears have substantially opposing inclined wire portions increasingly spaced in the direction of said one end of said tubular member to a maximum spacing greater than the transverse dimensions of said bore, and inwardly directed transverse wire portions forming extensions of respective inclined wire portions adapted to engage said tubular member to fix said probe tip wire relative to said tubular member, whereby insertion of the other end of said tubular member into said conductive sleeve causes the latter to engAge said inclined wire portions to thereby resiliently deform said ears and provide frictional engagement and electrical contact between said ears and the conductive sleeve.

Claim 7

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 1, further comprising stop means provided on said tubular member for limiting the extent of insertion of the latter into the conductive sleeve.

Claim 8

A disposable probe tip as deinfed in claim 6, wherein said stop means comprises an annular flange about said tubular member intermediate the ends thereof, said annular flange having a diameter greater than the transverse dimensions of the conductive sleeve, whereby said annular flange abuts against the conductive sleeve when said probe tip is fully inserted within the conductive sleeve.

Claim 9

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 1, wherein said probe tip wire is folded to form two legs which together define a plane, said central bore at said one end of said tubular member being in the form of a rectangular opening parallel to said plane, whereby said rectantgular opening prevents rotary movements of said probe tip wire relative to said tubular member about the longitudinal length of said probe tip wire.

Claim 10

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular member is made of an elastomeric material.

Claim 11

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 1, wherein said probe tip wire is made from a conductive, deformable material.

Claim 12

A disposable probe tip insertable into a conductive sleeve of an electro-surgical device, the probe tip comprising a tubular member having a central bore and a pair of diametrically opposed transverse holes in the wall of said tubular member at one end thereof which is adapted to be receivable within the conductive sleeve; and a folded conductive probe tip wire folded substantially at the midpoint thereof to form a looped end suitable for contacting the human body for treatment thereof, the free ends of said folded wire being bent to form ears having substantially opposed inclined wire portions increasingly spaced in the direction of the other end of said tubular member to a maximum spacing greater than the transverse dimensions of said bore, and inwardly directed transverse wire portions forming extensions of the respective inclined wire portions, said folded wire extending through said bore with said looped end projecting beyond the other end of said tubular member, said ears extending beyond said one end of said tubular member and looping in a reverse direction for positioning said transverse wire portions within respective ones of said transverse holes to substantially fix said probe wire relative to said tubular member to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, whereby insertion of said one end of said tubular member into the conductive sleeve causes the latter to engage said inclined wire portions to thereby resiliently deform said ears and provide frictional engagement and electrical contact between said ears and the conductive sleeve.

Claim 13

A disposable probe tip insertable into a conductive sleeve of an electro-surgical device, the probe tip comprising a tubular member having a central bore and a pair of diametrically opposed transverse holes in the wall of said tubular member at one end thereof which is adapted to be receivable within the conductive sleeve; and a folded conductive probe tip wire folded substantially at the midpoint thereof to form a looped end suitable for contacting the human body for treatment thereof, the free ends of said folded wire being bent to form ears having substantially opposed inclined wire portions increasingly spaced in the direction of the other end of said tubular member to a maximum spacing greater than the transverse dimensions of said bore, and inwardly directed transverse wire portions forming extensions of the respective inclined wire portions, said folded wire extending through said bore with said looped end projecting beyond the other end of said tubular member, said ears extending beyond said one end of said tubular member and looping in a reverse direction for positioning said transverse wire portions within respective ones of said transverse holes to substantially fix said probe wire relative to said tubular member to prevent longitudinal movement thereof, whereby insertion of said one end of said tubular member into the conductive sleeve causes the latter to engage said inclined wire portions to thereby resiliently deform said ears and provide frictional engagement and electrical contact between said ears and the conductive sleeve.

Claim 14

A disposable probe tip as defined in claim 11, wherein said one end of said tubular member is provided with a longitudinal slot in which said ears are disposed, and further comprising two spaced apertured walls provided in said slot on opposite sides of said bore for receiving said transverse wire portions.

Claim 15

In a hand-held electro-surgical unit having a tubular housing and an electrical connector mounted thereon to which electrical energy can be applied, the improvement comprising a nose piece having one end configurated to be mounted on the tubular housing; a conductive sleeve extending through the nose piece and in electrical contact with the electrical connector when said nose piece is mounted on said tubular housing; and a disposable probe tip interchangeably received in the nose piece within the conductive sleeve, said probe tip including a probe tip wire in electrical contact with said conductive sleeve when mounted within the nose piece and having a portion thereof suitable for contacting the human bOdy for treatment thereof.

Claim 16

In a hand-held electro-surgical unit having a tubular housing and an electrical connector mounted thereon to which electrical energy can be applied, the improvement comprising a nose piece having one end configurated to be mounted on the tubular housing; a conductive sleeve extending through the nose piece and in electrical contact with the electrical connector when said nose piece is mounted on said tubular housing; and a disposable probe tip interchangeably received in the nose piece within the conductive sleeve, said probe tip including a probe tip wire in electrical contact with said conductive sleeve when mounted within the nose piece and having a portion thereof suitable for contacting the human bOdy for treatment thereof.

Claim 17

In a hand-held unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said nose piece is provided with a hole having a rectangular cross section; said conductive sleeve being in the form of a tube of rectangular cross section receivable in said rectangular hole, the probe tip portion receivable in said conductive sleeve having a rectangular cross section and being matingly receivable in said rectangular tube, whereby rotary movement of said probe tip relative to said nose piece is prevented.

Claim 18

In a hand-held unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said conductive sleeve is provided with internally projecting dimples on the portion thereof which makes connection with the electrical connector, whereby said dimples abut against the electrical connector in pressure relation to provide good electrical contact.