Patent US5769841A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5769841A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrosurgical apparatus for laparoscopic and like procedures
Assignee: Encision Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-13
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Granted: 1998-06-23
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Expires: 2015-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An electrosurgical instrument having a safety shield for use in laparoscopic or like electrosurgical procedures designed to receive a plurality of electrosurgical instrument inserts. The electrosurgical inserts are designed so as to provide quick and easy attachment to the electrosurgical apparatus while still providing enhanced resistance to rotation forces encountered during an electrosurgical procedure, and to distribute actuation forces occurring during use. The safety shield includes a crimped portion for transferring forces that occur during operation of an articulating instrument inserted therein to a handle assembly of the electrosurgical instrument. The electrosurgical instrument has a seal that reduces or prevents electrical current from flowing between the active electrode and shield assemblies. The electrosurgical instrument further includes a connector assembly for receiving a mating cable connector and providing a fail-safe interconnection therewith. A second preferred embodiment of the electrosurgical instrument is adapted to be removably connected with a replaceable shield/connector assembly through which the instrument is inserted. Furthermore, position of the shield with respect to the electrosurgical instrument can easily be accomplished.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger C. Odell
- 👤 Paul H. Emerling
- 👤 David W. Newton
- 👤 Robert C. Steinway
- 👤 Don R. Boyle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/1206; A61B18/14; A61B18/1487; A61B18/1233
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An articulating insert for use with a shielded electrosurgical instrument comprising: an elongated rod having first and second ends; an articulating instrument connected with said first end of said elongated rod; and connection means disposed at said first end of said elongated rod for threadably connecting said elongated rod with the shielded electrosurgical instrument; wherein said connection means comprises securing means for securing said articulating insert to the shielded electrosurgical instrument, said securing means operating to increase the rotational friction between the shielded electrosurgical instrument and the articulating insert.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
An articulating insert for use with a shielded electrosurgical instrument comprising: an elongated rod having first and second ends; an articulating instrument connected with said first end of said elongated rod; and connection means disposed at said first end of said elongated rod for threadably connecting said elongated rod with the shielded electrosurgical instrument; wherein said connection means comprises securing means for securing said articulating insert to the shielded electrosurgical instrument, said securing means operating to increase the rotational friction between the shielded electrosurgical instrument and the articulating insert.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The articulating insert of claim 1 wherein said securing means includes a housing having a first surface that engages a second surface of the electrosurgical instrument at an outer periphery thereof, said first surface being formed at a first angle less than ninety degrees from the longitudinal axis of the articulating insert.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The articulating insert of claim 2 wherein said second surface of the electrosurgical instrument is formed at a second angle less than ninety degrees from the longitudinal axis of the articulating insert.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The articulating insert of claim 3 wherein said first angle is less than said second angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a tubular safety shield assembly having a first and second end; an elongated articulatable insert received in one of said first and second ends of said tubular safety shield assembly, said insert including an articulatable surgical instrument connected with a first end of said insert; and securing means for securing said insert in said tubular safety shield assembly, said securing means operating to increase the rotational friction between said tubular safety shield assembly and said insert.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a tubular safety shield assembly having a first and second end; an elongated articulatable insert received in one of said first and second ends of said tubular safety shield assembly, said insert including an articulatable surgical instrument connected with a first end of said insert; and securing means for securing said insert in said tubular safety shield assembly, said securing means operating to increase the rotational friction between said tubular safety shield assembly and said insert.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 5 wherein said tubular safety shield assembly comprises a first tubular member made from an electrically insulating material and an adapter ridgedly received in a first end of said first tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said first tubular member comprises a PEEK material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said adapter comprises metal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 8 wherein said insert is threadably received in said adapter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said tubular safety shield assembly further comprises: an electrically conductive shield surrounding an outer periphery of said first tubular member at least in proximity to said first end of said first tubular member; inner shrink tube insulating means for electrically isolating said electrically conductive shield from said articulatable surgical instrument; and outer shrink tube insulating means for electrically insulating said shield from external conductive components.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
67 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said tubular safety shield assembly further comprises: an electrically conductive shield surrounding an outer periphery of said first tubular member at least in proximity to said first end of said first tubular member; a first electrical insulator isolating said electrically conductive shield from said articulatable surgical instrument; and a second electrical insulator electrically insulating said shield from external conductive components.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 5 wherein said tubular safety shield assembly includes an adapter ridgedly received in one of said first and second ends and said articulatable surgical instrument is received in a housing that is threadably engaged with said adapter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 12 wherein said securing means includes a first surface of said housing that engages a second surface of said adapter at an outer periphery thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 13 wherein said first surface is formed at a first angle less than ninety degrees from a longitudinal axis of said tubular safety shield assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 14 wherein said second surface is formed at a second angle, said second angle being less than ninety degrees from the longitudinal axis of said tubular safety shield assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15 wherein said first angle is less than said second angle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-22 | 2001-12-22 | 2002-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | 2006-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-22 | 2009-12-22 | 2010-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |