Multiplexed hand switches for use with electrosurgical generators
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsMark A. Johnston, Lewis R. Puterbaugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device having: a main switch, a button configured to actuate the main switch, at least one secondary switch, and a movable component configured to actuate the second switch. The system also includes an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical device, the electrosurgical generator is configured to generate an electrosurgical output in response to actuation of the main switch and the at least one secondary switch.
Claims18
An electrosurgical system comprising:
- an electrosurgical device including a pair of opposing jaw members movable between an open jaw position and a closed jaw position, and a multiplexer circuit for outputting a voltage signal, the multiplexer circuit comprising:
- a main switch for activating a supply of electrosurgical energy;
- a second switch configured to actuate when the pair of opposing jaw members is in the closed jaw position;
- a third switch configured to activate based on a position of a movable component on the electrosurgical device;
- one or more resistors coupled to the main switch, the second switch, and the third switch to at least partially define the voltage signal;
- and
- a signal processor configured to determine, based on the voltage signal, a switch combination comprising a switch state for each of the main switch, the second switch, and the third switch;
- and
- an electrosurgical generator coupled to the electrosurgical device, the electrosurgical generator configured to generate an electrosurgical output in response to the switch combination.
An electrosurgical system comprising:
- an electrosurgical device including a pair of opposing jaw members movable between an open jaw position and a closed jaw position, and a multiplexer circuit for outputting a voltage signal, the multiplexer circuit comprising:
- a first switch, a second switch, and a third switch, wherein the voltage signal is at least partially defined by a switch combination comprising a switch state for each of the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch;
- a lever coupled to the third switch and movable between an open lever position and a closed lever position, wherein the lever is configured to actuate the third switch in the closed lever position;
- and
- a signal processor configured to:
- determine the switch combination based on the voltage signal;
- and
- output an activation signal for an electrosurgical generator based on the switch combination.
A method for controlling an electrosurgical generator, the method comprising:
- actuating a lever between an open lever position and a closed lever position to move a pair of opposing jaw members between an open jaw position and a closed jaw position;
- activating a jaw switch when the pair of opposing jaw members are in the closed jaw position;
- activating a lever switch when the lever is in the closed lever position;
- activating a main switch by pressing a button;
- determining a type of output to be generated by the electrosurgical generator based on activation of the lever switch and the jaw switch;
- and
- activating an electrosurgical generator to output the determined output in response to activation of the main switch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.