Electrosurgical counter and lockout mechanism

An electrosurgical sterilization/use counter, comprising:

• an indicator having a plurality of indicia for illustrating the number of remaining uses before the electrosurgical apparatus should be discarded;
• an actuator linked to the indicator;
• a temperature actuated element linked to the actuator, the temperature actuated element moving the actuator in a first direction when actuated;
• and
• a mechanically actuated element linked to the actuator, the mechanically actuated element moving the actuator in a second direction, the temperature actuated element and the mechanically actuated element causing the actuator to effect a change of indicia to show the number of remaining uses subsequent to a sterilization/use cycle.

An electrosurgical lockout mechanism for use with an electrosurgical apparatus configured to be discarded after a predetermined number of sterilization/use cycles, the electrosurgical lockout mechanism comprising:

• an indicator having a plurality of indicia for showing the number of remaining uses before the electrosurgical apparatus should be discarded;
• an actuator configured to engage the indicator to illustrate a different one of the indicia to show the number of remaining uses;
• a temperature actuated element linked to the actuator, the temperature actuated element being adapted to move the actuator in a first direction;
• a mechanically actuated element linked to the actuator, the mechanically actuated element adapted to move the actuator in a second direction;
• and
• a lockout mechanism linked to the actuator, the lockout mechanism adapted to be utilized with the temperature actuated element and the mechanically actuated element, wherein the lockout mechanism is also adapted to prevent use of the electrosurgical apparatus when the electrosurgical apparatus has undergone a predetermined number of sterilization/use cycles.

An electrosurgical sterilization/use counter, comprising:

• an indicator having a plurality of indicia for illustrating the number of remaining uses before the electrosurgical apparatus should be discarded, wherein the indicator moves in relation to other components of the electrosurgical sterilization/use counter to illustrate changes in the number of remaining uses before the electrosurgical apparatus should be discarded;
• an actuator linked to the indicator;
• a temperature actuated element linked to the actuator, the temperature actuated element moving the actuator in a first direction when heated;
• and
• a mechanically actuated element linked to the actuator, the mechanically actuated element moving the actuator in a second direction to cause the actuator to show a change in the number of remaining uses subsequent to a sterilization/use cycle, wherein the distance of movement of the mechanically actuated element when fully actuated is greater than the distance the indicator moves when illustrating a change in the number of remaining uses before the electrosurgical apparatus should be discarded.