Apparatus for changing the output power level of an electrosurgical generator while remaining in the sterile field of a surgical procedure

A handpiece for use with an electrosurgical generator including means for incrementing the level of the output power delivered from the generator to a patient, means for decrementing said level of the output power, means for effecting a coagulation mode of operation of said generator, and means for effecting a cut mode of operation of the generator;

• comprising
• a handle;
• an active electrode disposed at the handle for applying electrosurgical current from the electrosurgical generator to a patient;
• a pair of switches disposed at the handle, one a power increment switch for controlling said means for incrementing the output power level and the other a power decrement switch for controlling said means for decrementing it
• a further pair of switches disposed at the handle, one a coagulation mode switch which controls said means for effecting a coagulation mode of operation for said generator and the other a cut mode switch which controls said means for effecting a cut mode for the generator;
• and
• only three wires connected to the handpiece where the first of said wires delivers said electrosurgical current from the generator to the active electrode, the second of the wires connects the coagulation mode switch to the generator, and the third of said wires connects the cut mode switch to the generator and means for connecting said coagulation and cut mode switches and said power increment and decrement switches with respect to said wires so that the status of said switches can be applied over said second and third wires to said generator.

An electrosurgical generating system comprising:

• an electrosurgical generator including means for incrementing the level of the output power delivered from the generator to a patient, means for decrementing said level of the output power, means for effecting a coagulation mode of operation of said generator, and means for effecting a cut mode of operation of the generator;
• and
• a handpiece including an active electrode connected to said electrosurgical generator for applying electrosurgical current from the generator to said patient, said handpiece having a pair of switches disposed thereat, one a power increment switch for controlling said means for incrementing the output power level and the other a power decrement switch for controlling said means for decrementing it, and a further pair of switches disposed at said handpiece, one a coagulation mode switch which controls said means for effecting a coagulation mode of operation for said generator and the other a cut mode switch which controls said means for effecting a cut mode of operation for said generator,
• only three wires connected between said handpiece and said generator where the first of said wires delivers said electrosurgical current from the generator to the active electrode, the second of the wires connects the coagulation mode switch to the generator, and the third of said wires connects the cut mode switch to the generator and where said power increment switch is connected between said second and third wires and said power decrement switch is a double pole switch, the switching elements of which are respectively connected between (a) said first and second wires and (b) said second and third wires.

A handpiece for use with an electrosurgical generator including means for incrementing the level of the output power delivered from the generator to a patient, means for decrementing said level of the output power, means for effecting a coagulation mode of operation of said generator, and means for effecting a cut mode of operation of the generator;

• comprising
• a handle;
• an active electrode disposed at the handle for applying electrosurgical current from the electrosurgical generator to a patient;
• a pair of switches disposed at the handle, one a power increment switch for controlling said means for incrementing the output power level and the other a power decrement switch for controlling said means for decrementing it, and
• a further pair of switches disposed at the handle one a coagulation mode switch which controls said means for effecting a coagulation mode of operation for said generator and the other a cut mode switch which controls said means for effecting a cut mode for the generator,
• only three wires connected to the handpiece where the first of said wires delivers said electrosurgical current from the generator to the active electrode, the second of the wires connects the coagulation mode switch to the generator, and the third of said wires connects the cut mode switch to the generator and where said power increment switch is connected between said second and third wires and said power decrement switch is a double pole switch, the switching elements of which are respectively connected between (a) said first and second wires and (b) said second and third wires.