Finger actuated surgical electrode holder

Claim 2

A normally open switch for a hand tool comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising: i. a sheet having solid ends and slots extending between the ends that define flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between the ends, said sheet being formed from flat stock and curved into an annular shape; and ii. retaining rings secured to each end of said sheet that maintain said annular shape; and c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial with and surrounding the inner conductIve member, whereby the switch is closed by depressing at least one of the flexible conductive strips to make contact with the inner conductive member.

Claim 3

A normally open switch for a hand tool comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between the rings; c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial with and surrounding the inner conductive member, whereby the switch is closed by depressing at least one of the flexible conductive strips to make contact with the inner conductive member, at least one of said supports having a small end and a larger portion adjacent said small end, said annular switch element being slidably mounted on the small end of the support, with a gap between the annular switch element and the larger portion of the support; d. one end of the inner conductive member being inserted in a stock and the other end of the inner conductive member having a nose piece attached thereto, said nose piece and said stock having a diameter greater than the diameter of the annular switch element, whereby the switch element is protected from damage and accidental closure by the stock and the nose piece; and e. a flexible non-conductive tube surrounding the annular switch element and extending from the stock to the nose piece, said flexible tube being supported by the larger portion of the support, whereby the flexible tube does not prevent longitudinal movement of the switch element in said gap.

Claim 4

A normally open switch for a hand tool comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between the rings; c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial with and surrounding the inner conductive member, whereby the switch is closed by depressing at least one of the flexible conductive strips to make contact with the inner conductive member, at least one of said supports having a small end and a larger portion adjacent said small end, said annular switch element being slidably mounted on the small end of the support, with a gap between the annular switch element and the larger portion of the support; d. one end of the inner conductive member being inserted in a stock and the other end of the inner conductive member having a nose piece attached thereto, said nose piece and said stock having a diameter greater than the diameter of the annular switch element, whereby the switch element is protected from damage and accidental closure by the stock and the nose piece; and e. a flexible non-conductive tube surrounding the annular switch element and extending from the stock to the nose piece, said flexible tube being supported by the larger portion of the support, whereby the flexible tube does not prevent longitudinal movement of the switch element in said gap.

Claim 5

A surgical electrode holder comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between said rings, said strips having outwardly bowed central portions that are farther away from the inner conductive member than the ends of the conductive strips are; c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial to and surrounding the inner conductive member; and d. means connecting the inner conductive member and the annular switch element to the control circuit of an electro-surgical generator, whereby said generator is activated by depressing at least one of said strips to make contact with the inner conductive member.

Claim 6

A surgical electrode holder comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between said rings, said strips having outwardly bowed central portions that are farther away from the inner conductive member than the ends of the conductive strips are; c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial to and surrounding the inner conductive member; and d. means connecting the inner conductive member and the annular switch element to the control circuit of an electro-surgical generator, whereby said generator is activated by depressing at least one of said strips to make contact with the inner conductive member.

Claim 7

A surgical electrode holder according to claim 3 wherein the annular switch element is slidably mounted on at least one of said supports, whereby at least one end of the switch element is free to move longitudinally when the strips are depressed.

Claim 8

A surgical electrode holder comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising: i. a sheet having solid ends and slots extending between said ends that define a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between said ends, said sheet being formed from flat stock and curved into an annular shape; and ii. retaining rings secured to each end of the sheet to maintain said annular shape; c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial to and surrounding the inner conductive member; and d. means connecting the inner conductive member and the annular switch element to the control circuit of an electrosurgical generator, whereby said generator is activated by depressing at least one of said strips to make contact with the inner conductive member.

Claim 9

A surgical electrode holder comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising: i. a sheet having solid ends and slots extending between said ends that define a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between said ends, said sheet being formed from flat stock and curved into an annular shape; and ii. retaining rings secured to each end of the sheet to maintain said annular shape; c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial to and surrounding the inner conductive member; and d. means connecting the inner conductive member and the annular switch element to the control circuit of an electrosurgical generator, whereby said generator is activated by depressing at least one of said strips to make contact with the inner conductive member.

Claim 10

A surgical electrode holder comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between sAid rings; c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial to and surrounding the inner conductive member; d. a stock behind the annular switch element and a nose piece in front of the switch element, said stock and said nose piece having a diameter larger than the annular switch element, whereby the switch element is protected by the stock and the nose piece; and e. means connecting the inner conductive member and the annular switch element to the control circuit of an electrosurgical generator, whereby said generator is activated by depressing at least one of said strips to make contact with the inner conductive member.

Claim 11

A surgical electrode holder comprising: a. an inner conductive member; b. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the inner conductive member and comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips extending between sAid rings; c. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial to and surrounding the inner conductive member; d. a stock behind the annular switch element and a nose piece in front of the switch element, said stock and said nose piece having a diameter larger than the annular switch element, whereby the switch element is protected by the stock and the nose piece; and e. means connecting the inner conductive member and the annular switch element to the control circuit of an electrosurgical generator, whereby said generator is activated by depressing at least one of said strips to make contact with the inner conductive member.

Claim 12

A surgical electrode holder according to claim 6 further comprising a flexible non-conductive tube surrounding the annular switch element and extending from said stock to said nose piece.

Claim 13

A surgical electrode holder according to claim 7 wherein: a. at least one of said supports has a small end and a larger portion adjacent said small end; b. the annular switch element is slidably mounted on the small end of the support; c. a gap is provided between the annular switch element and the larger portion of the support; and d. said flexible tube is supported by the larger portion of the support, whereby the flexible tube does not prevent longitudinal movement of the switch element in said gap.

Claim 14

A surgical electrode holder comprising: a. a hollow, conductive tube; b. a conductive collet rod extending through and adapted to slide within said hollow tube, said collet rod having a front end split into a plurality of jaws adapted to grip a surgical electrode inserted therein and a rear end that extends through the hollow tube; c. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the hollow tube and comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of flexible resilient conductive strips extending between said rings; d. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial to and surrounding the hollow tube; and e. means connecting the collet rod and the annular switch element to the control circuit of an electrosurgical generator, said hollow tube being connected to the control circuit through said collet rod, whereby said generator is activated by depressing at least one of said strips to make contact with the hollow tube.

Claim 15

A surgical electrode holder comprising: a. a hollow, conductive tube; b. a conductive collet rod extending through and adapted to slide within said hollow tube, said collet rod having a front end split into a plurality of jaws adapted to grip a surgical electrode inserted therein and a rear end that extends through the hollow tube; c. an annular switch element having a larger diameter than the hollow tube and comprising a plurality of rings and a plurality of flexible resilient conductive strips extending between said rings; d. supports at both ends of the annular switch element which locate the switch element coaxial to and surrounding the hollow tube; and e. means connecting the collet rod and the annular switch element to the control circuit of an electrosurgical generator, said hollow tube being connected to the control circuit through said collet rod, whereby said generator is activated by depressing at least one of said strips to make contact with the hollow tube.

Claim 16

A surgical electrode holder according to claim 9 wherein the electrical connection from the control circuit to the collet rod is made through a spring contact past which the rear end of the collet rod slides.

Claim 17

A surgical electrode holder according to claim 10 wherein: a. said collet rod extends through a stock; b. a cap is detachably mounted on said stock; c. said cap and said stock define an electrical connection cavity in the holder at a location remote from the annular switch element; and d. said spring contact is mounted in said cavity.

Claim 18

A surgical electrode holder according to claim 11 further comprising: a. a duct extending through said stock to said electrical connection cavity; and b. an electrical conductor attached to the annular switch element, and extending through said duct into said electrical connection cavity.

Claim 19

A combination normally open switch and gripping collet for a hand tool comprising: a. a hollow conductive member; b. an electrically conductive collet rod extending through and adapted to slide within the hollow conductive member, said collet having a front end that is divided into a plurality of jaws adapted to grip an object inserted into the jaws and a rear end that extends through the hollow conductive member; c. an annular switch element comprising a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips adjacent to but normally displaced from the hollow conductive member; and d. means for connecting the annular switch element and the conductive collet rod to an electrical circuit, Whereby said electrical circuit is completed by depressing at least one of the flexible resilient conductive strips to make contact with the hollow conductive member.

Claim 20

A combination normally open switch and gripping collet for a hand tool comprising: a. a hollow conductive member; b. an electrically conductive collet rod extending through and adapted to slide within the hollow conductive member, said collet having a front end that is divided into a plurality of jaws adapted to grip an object inserted into the jaws and a rear end that extends through the hollow conductive member; c. an annular switch element comprising a plurality of flexible, resilient conductive strips adjacent to but normally displaced from the hollow conductive member; and d. means for connecting the annular switch element and the conductive collet rod to an electrical circuit, Whereby said electrical circuit is completed by depressing at least one of the flexible resilient conductive strips to make contact with the hollow conductive member.

Claim 21

A combination switch and collet according to claim 13 wherein the means for electrically connecting said electrical circuit to the collet rod comprises a spring contact past which the rear end of the collet slides.