Removable tip cautery

Claim 1

A portable cautery apparatus of the type utilizing a self-contained voltage source comprising a housing, a voltage source mounted in said housing and contained within said housing, control means adapted to control said voltage source moveably mounted to said housing in operative electrical engagement with said voltage source, adaptor means for providing a connection between said voltage source and a heater tip means, said adaptor means mounted to said housing and extending from said housing, said adaptor means comprising a member defining a blind bore and tubular first and second electrodes mounted in said member and substantially terminating at an end of said blind bore, said first electrode being electrically connected to said voltage source and said second electrode being electrically connected to said control means, said adaptor means member having a forward end formed with and terminating in a planar surface, a flexible sheath completely enclosing said housing to provide a contamination free environment for said housing, a disposable heater tip means adapted to be removably mounted to said adaptor means, said adaptor means being enclosed by said sheath and isolated from contact with said heater tip means in order to eliminate potential patient-to-patient contamination when said housing is utilized in consecutive surgical procedures, said heater tip means having a rear end which defines a planar surface, said heater tip means comprising a replaceable tip housing, tubular shaped third and fourth electrodes mounted inside said tip housing and extending therefrom, a heater element comprising a wire tip interconnected between ends of said third and fourth electrodes, the other ends of said third and fourth electrodes piercing said sheath and engaging said first and second electrodes of said adaptor means.