Paul H Emerling

US Patent:

6494877, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Jun 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/102750

Inventors:

Roger C. Odell - Louisville CO
Paul H. Emerling - Nederland CO
David W. Newton - Boulder CO
Robert C. Steinway - Boulder CO
Don R. Boyle - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Electroscope, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

A61B 1700

US Classification:

606 1, 606 46, 606 51, 606205

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.

US Patent:

57698414, Jun 23, 1998

Filed:

Jun 13, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/489934

Inventors:

Roger C. Odell - Louisville CO
Paul H. Emerling - Nederland CO
David W. Newton - Boulder CO
Robert C. Steinway - Boulder CO
Don R. Boyle - Boulder CO

Assignee:

Electroscope, Inc. - Boulder CO

International Classification:

A61B 1739

US Classification:

606 1

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.