# US 10,483,060 B2 · Surgical tool with ambidextrous safety switch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,483,060 B2 - Document ID: US10483060B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/267,207 - Filed: 2016-09-16 - Published: 2017-01-05 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2014-03-20 - Assignees: Stryker Corporation - Applicants: Stryker Corporation - Inventors: David Hershberger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10483060B2 ## CPC - H01H 36/02: actuated by movement of a float carrying a magnet - A61B 17/14: Surgical saws ({A61B17/1637 takes precedence;} dental saws for teeth A61C3/12) - A61B 17/142: {with reciprocating saw blades, e.g. with cutting edges at the distal end of the saw blades} - A61B 90/08: {Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for} - B25F 5/02: Construction of casings, bodies or handles {(B25F5/006, B25F5/008 take precedence)} - H01H 9/06: Casing of switch constituted by a handle serving a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. by the handle of a vacuum cleaner - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument} - H01H 2009/065: {Battery operated hand tools in which the battery and the switch are directly connected} - H01H 2300/014: Application surgical instrument - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B25F: COMBINATION OR MULTI-PURPOSE TOOLS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DETAILS OR COMPONENTS OF PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS NOT PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE OPERATIONS PERFORMED AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR {(machines or arrangements of machines for performing specified combinations of different metal-working operations not covered by a single other subclass B23P23/00 and subgroups)} ## Abstract A powered surgical tool with a switch for regulating tool operation. A pair of opposed arms extend outwardly from opposed sides of the switch. The arms move between safety and run states. When the arms are in the safety state, the arms engage a static surface to prevent movement of the switch. When in the arms are in the run state the arms are spaced from the static surface so movement is allowed. The arms are connected together so that the movement of one arm results in simultaneous movement of the other arm. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A powered surgical tool, the powered surgical tool including: a tool body; an energy applicator that extends forward from the tool body, the energy applicator adapted to receive energy from a power generating unit and apply the energy to tissue to which the energy applicator is applied; and a switch assembly attached to the tool body for controlling the actuation of the power generating unit, the switch assembly including: a switch that is moveably mounted to the tool body; a sensor configured to generate a signal representative of the position of the switch relative to the sensor; two arms that are pivotally mounted to said switch such that said arms extend outwardly from opposed sides of the switch and each arm is capable of moving from a safety state to a run state; and a member attached to at least one of said arms such that when said arm is in the safety state, the member engages a fixed surface to prevent movement of said switch and, when said arm is in the run state, the member is spaced from the fixed surface so that said member does not impede movement of the switch and wherein, said switch assembly is further constructed so that each said arm includes a base that is pivotally mounted to said switch and the bases of said arms are formed with components that engage each other, so that the pivoting of either one of the arm bases from the arm run state to the arm safety state, results in the simultaneous pivoting of the other arm base from the arm run state to the arm safety state, and the pivoting of either arm base from the arm safety state to the arm run state results in the simultaneous pivoting of the other arm base from the arm safety state to the arm run state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said member that engages a fixed surface to prevent movement of said switch is a section of at least one of said arms. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The powered surgical tool of claim 2 wherein each said arm has a said section that engages a fixed surface to prevent movement of said switch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said arms are mounted to said switch so that each said arm has: a first section that extends from said base that, when said arms are in the run state, is concealed by said switch and, when said arms are in the safety state, is exposed; and a second section that extends from said base that, when said arms are in the run state, is exposed and, when said arms in the safety state, is concealed by said switch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said arm components that engage each other to the cause the simultaneous pivoting of said arms are interlocking teeth. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said arm components that engage each other to cause the simultaneous pivoting of said arms consists of: a friction fit between the arms; a belt that extend between the arms; or a chain that extends between the arms. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said switch is attached to said tool body so as to be able to pivot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said switch or a said arm is formed with a component that engages the other arm or said switch to resist movement of the associated said arm, said component being resiliently attached to said switch or said arm so that the resistance imposed by said component can be overcome by force applied to the said arm. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The powered surgical tool of claim 8, wherein said component that engages the other arm or said switch is attached to one of said arms. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The powered surgical tool Of claim 9, wherein said switch is formed with a feature that engages said arm component to resist pivoting of the said arm to which said component is attached. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein: said switch assembly is further formed to include a structural member to which said switch is moveably attached and said structural member is formed to define a notch; and said member of at least one said arm that engages a fixed surface is positioned to when the said arm to which said member is attached is in the safety state, seat in the notch formed in said structural member of said switch assembly to prevent movement of said switch and, when the said arm to which said member is attached is in the run state, be spaced away from the notch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said switch assembly is configured to be removably attached to said tool body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein the power generating unit is contained in said tool body. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The powered surgical tool of claim 13, wherein the power generating unit is: an electrically driven motor; a pneumatically driven motor; a hydraulically driven motor; an ultrasonic vibrator; a device that emits light; an RF generator; a device that emits heat; or a device that emits electrical energy. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein: the power generating unit is contained in said tool body; a module is attached to said tool body, said module containing a controller that controls the application of energization signals to the power generating unit; and said switch assembly is attached to the module. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein: a magnet is mounted to said switch; and said sensor monitors the strength of the magnetic field emitted by said magnet. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The powered surgical tool of claim 1, wherein said tool body includes a coupling assembly that releasably holds the energy applicator to the tool body. ### Claim 18 A powered surgical tool, the powered surgical tool including: a tool body; an energy applicator that extends forward from the tool body, the energy applicator adapted to receive energy from a power generating unit and apply the energy to tissue to which the energy applicator is applied; and a switch assembly attached to the tool body for controlling the actuation of the power generating unit, the switch assembly including: a switch that is moveably mounted to the tool body; a sensor configured to generate a signal representative of the position of the switch relative to the sensor; two arms that are pivotally mounted to said switch such that said arms extend outwardly from opposed sides of the switch and each arm is capable of moving from a safety state to a run state wherein said arms are connected together so that the pivoting of either said arm from the run state to the safety state results in the simultaneous pivoting of the other said arm from the run state to the safety state and the pivoting of either said arm from the safety state to the run state results in the simultaneous pivoting of the other said arm from the safety state to the run state; and each said arm has a first tab that, when said arms are in the run state, is concealed by said switch and, when said arms are in the safety state, is exposed; and a second section that, when said arms are in the run state, is exposed and, when said arms in the safety state, is concealed by said switch; and a member attached to at least one of said arms such that when said arm is in the safety state, the member engages a fixed surface to prevent movement of said switch and, when said arm is in the run state, the member is spaced from the fixed surface so that said member does not impede movement of the switch. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein said member that engages a fixed surface to prevent movement of said switch is a section of at least one of said arms. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The powered surgical tool of claim 19, wherein each said arm has a said section that engages a fixed surface to prevent movement of said switch. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein said arms include complementary engaging teeth that cause the simultaneous pivoting of said arms are interlocking teeth. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein said arms are connected together to cause the simultaneous pivoting of said arms by one of: a friction fit between the arms; a belt that extend between the arms; or a chain that extends between the arms. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein said switch is attached to said tool body so as to be able to pivot. ### Claim 24 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein said switch or a said arm is formed with a component that engages the other arm or said switch to resist movement of the associated said arm, said component being resiliently attached to said switch or said arm so that the resistance imposed by said component can be overcome by force applied to the said arm. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The powered surgical tool of claim 24, wherein said component that engages the other arm or said switch is attached to one of said arms. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The powered surgical tool Of claim 25, wherein said switch is formed with a feature that engages said arm component to resist pivoting of the said arm to which said component is attached. ### Claim 27 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein: said switch assembly is further formed to include a structural member to which said switch is moveably attached and said structural member is formed to define a notch; and said member of at least one said arm that engages a fixed surface is positioned to when the said arm to which said member is attached is in the safety state, seat in the notch formed in said structural member of said switch assembly to prevent movement of said switch and, when the said arm to which said member is attached is in the run state, be spaced away from the notch. ### Claim 28 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein said switch assembly is configured to be removably attached to said tool body. ### Claim 29 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein the power generating unit is contained in said tool body. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The powered surgical tool of claim 29, wherein the power generating unit is: an electrically driven motor; a pneumatically driven motor; a hydraulically driven motor; an ultrasonic vibrator; a device that emits light; an RF generator; a device that emits heat; or a device that emits electrical energy. ### Claim 31 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein: the power generating unit is contained in said tool body; a module is attached to said tool body, said module containing a controller that controls the application of energization signals to the power generating unit; and said switch assembly is attached to the module. ### Claim 32 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein: a magnet is mounted to said switch; and said sensor monitors the strength of the magnetic field emitted by said magnet. ### Claim 33 (depends on 18) The powered surgical tool of claim 18, wherein said tool body includes a coupling assembly that releasably holds the energy applicator to the tool body.