US5035695A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Extendable electrocautery surgery apparatus and method
Assignee: WEBER JAROY DR JR
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Filing: 1990-03-09
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Granted: 1991-07-30
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Expires: 2010-03-09
Abstract
Abstract An improved electrocautery method and instrument includes interlock features which enable the instrument to be safely operated under convenient manual controls including a slide element and control buttons and interlock switch positioned on the instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 Jaroy Weber, Jr.
- 👤 Terrance L. Kloeckl
- 👤 Michael A. Kast
- 👤 Frank T. Watkins, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:42
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B2017/320004; A61B2017/320008; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B2017/32113; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00196; A61B2018/0091; A61B2018/00916; A61B2018/0094; A61B2018/00946; A61B2018/00958; A61B2018/00964; A61B2018/0097; A61B2018/00976; A61B2018/1475; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/007; A61B2218/008; A61M; A61M1/00; A61M1/71; A61M1/74; A61M1/741; A61M1/7413; A61M1/7415; A61M2209/00; A61M2209/04; H; H01; H01H; H01H2300/00; H01H2300/014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
Surgical apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a forward end and a rearward end; conductor means for supplying electrical signal extending substantially through the body from near the rearward end to near the forward end thereof; means within the body slidably supporting the conductor means for selective slideable positioning thereof between rearward-most and forward-most positions along a slideable path relative to said forward end; slider means slideably disposed on the body and coupled to the conductor means for selectively altering the position thereof along the slideable path relative to said forward end; and circuit mean including the conductor means for controlling the application of electrical signal thereto in response to the position of the conductor means along the slideable path thereof; said circuit means including an interlock switch means operable in conductive state and in non-conductive state and disposed to be actuated for operation in the non-conductive state in response to the conductor means being positioned near a rearward-most position along the slideable path thereof, and in the conductive state in response to the conductor means being positioned near a forward-most along the slideable path thereof, said interlock switch means including auxiliary switch means disposed in the body for grounding the conductor means during operation in said non-conductive state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
Surgical apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a forward end and a rearward end; conductor means for supplying electrical signal extending substantially through the body from near the rearward end to near the forward end thereof; means within the body slidably supporting the conductor means for selective slideable positioning thereof between rearward-most and forward-most positions along a slideable path relative to said forward end; slider means slideably disposed on the body and coupled to the conductor means for selectively altering the position thereof along the slideable path relative to said forward end; and circuit mean including the conductor means for controlling the application of electrical signal thereto in response to the position of the conductor means along the slideable path thereof; said circuit means including an interlock switch means operable in conductive state and in non-conductive state and disposed to be actuated for operation in the non-conductive state in response to the conductor means being positioned near a rearward-most position along the slideable path thereof, and in the conductive state in response to the conductor means being positioned near a forward-most along the slideable path thereof, said interlock switch means including auxiliary switch means disposed in the body for grounding the conductor means during operation in said non-conductive state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
281 words
Surgical apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a forward end and a rearward end; conductor means for supplying electrical signal extending substantially through the body toward the forward end thereof; means with the body slideable supporting the conductor means for selective slideable positioning thereof between rearward-most and forward-most positions along a slideable path relative to said forward end; slider means slideably disposed on the body and coupled to the conductor means for selectively altering the position thereof along the slideable path relative to said forward end; and circuit means including the conductor means for controlling the application of electrical signal thereto in response to the position of the conductor means along the slideable path thereof; said circuit means including an interlock switch means operable in conductive state and in non-conductive state and disposed to be actuated for operation in the non-conductive state in response to the conductor means being positioned near a rearward-most position along the slideable path thereof, and in the conductive state in response to the conductor means being positioned near a forward-most position along the slideable path thereof; switch means including at least one switch mounted in the body and including an actuator therefor positioned on the body for manually actuating said one switch for selectively applying electrical signal through said circuit means to the conductor means; and a slide element disposed on the body and coupled to the conductor means for manually positioning the same along the slideable path thereof; said slide element including means oriented to shroud the actuator against manual operation thereof in response to the conductor means and the slide element coupled thereto being disposed near the rearward position along the slideable path thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
281 words
Surgical apparatus comprising: an elongated body having a forward end and a rearward end; conductor means for supplying electrical signal extending substantially through the body toward the forward end thereof; means with the body slideable supporting the conductor means for selective slideable positioning thereof between rearward-most and forward-most positions along a slideable path relative to said forward end; slider means slideably disposed on the body and coupled to the conductor means for selectively altering the position thereof along the slideable path relative to said forward end; and circuit means including the conductor means for controlling the application of electrical signal thereto in response to the position of the conductor means along the slideable path thereof; said circuit means including an interlock switch means operable in conductive state and in non-conductive state and disposed to be actuated for operation in the non-conductive state in response to the conductor means being positioned near a rearward-most position along the slideable path thereof, and in the conductive state in response to the conductor means being positioned near a forward-most position along the slideable path thereof; switch means including at least one switch mounted in the body and including an actuator therefor positioned on the body for manually actuating said one switch for selectively applying electrical signal through said circuit means to the conductor means; and a slide element disposed on the body and coupled to the conductor means for manually positioning the same along the slideable path thereof; said slide element including means oriented to shroud the actuator against manual operation thereof in response to the conductor means and the slide element coupled thereto being disposed near the rearward position along the slideable path thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of operating an electrosurgical instrument including a manually-controlled slideable electrical conductor extendable from a forward end of the instrument to controllable supply suitable electrical signal for treating tissue, the method comprising the steps of: slideably supporting the electrical conductor within the instrument for longitudinal sliding motion between a forward position for which the electrical conductor extends from the forward end of the instrument, to a rearward position for which the electrical conductor is substantially retracted within the forward end of the instrument for selectively manually extending and retracting the electrical conductor relative to said forward end in response to manual control of the slideable position of the electrical conductor within the instrument; and inhibiting the application of electrical signal including grounding the electrical conductor in response to the positioning of the electrical conductor near the rearward slideable position thereof.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
141 words
A method of operating an electrosurgical instrument including a manually-controlled slideable electrical conductor extendable from a forward end of the instrument to controllable supply suitable electrical signal for treating tissue, the method comprising the steps of: slideably supporting the electrical conductor within the instrument for longitudinal sliding motion between a forward position for which the electrical conductor extends from the forward end of the instrument, to a rearward position for which the electrical conductor is substantially retracted within the forward end of the instrument for selectively manually extending and retracting the electrical conductor relative to said forward end in response to manual control of the slideable position of the electrical conductor within the instrument; and inhibiting the application of electrical signal including grounding the electrical conductor in response to the positioning of the electrical conductor near the rearward slideable position thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of operating an electrosurgical instrument according to claim 3 in which a switch and a manual actuator therefor is mounted on the instrument and a slide element is disposed on the instrument for manually positioning the electrical conductor, the method comprising the step of: coupling the switch to selectively supply electrical signal to the electrical conductor suitable for treating tissue in response to manual actuation of the actuator for the switch; and positioning the slide element for shrouding the actuator against manual actuation thereof in response to the electrical conductor being positioned near the rearward position thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-29 | 1995-01-28 | 1995-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-29 | 1999-01-28 | 1999-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-29 | 2003-01-28 | 2003-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |