Back to results
US 9,685,281 B2Granted
Safety mechanism for medical treatment device and associated methods
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorsLi Wang, Chunlang Hong, Zhen Yuan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A safety mechanism for medical treatment devices includes a switch actuator that depresses a power activation switch after movement in a first direction followed movement in a second direction. The safety mechanism thus prevents accidental or unintentional delivery of power to a heating segment of the medical treatment device.
Claims26
A system for medical treatment, comprising:
- an elongate power cable having a proximal end configured for coupling to a power source, and a distal end;
- a handle adjacent the distal end of the power cable, the handle including a distal end configured for coupling to a treatment apparatus;
- a switch within the handle;
- and
- a switch actuator disposed on the handle and engageable with the switch, the switch actuator including a body portion and a resilient member, wherein the switch actuator further comprises a proximal member extending proximally from the body portion, and a hinge connecting the proximal member and the body portion, wherein the hinge is configured to enable the body portion to pivot with respect to the proximal member,
- wherein the resilient member is configured to apply a retaining force to the body portion to retain the switch actuator in a ready position, and wherein, when a first force is applied to the body portion in a direction opposite the retaining force, the switch actuator is configured to move in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the handle, and wherein, when a second force is applied in a direction perpendicular to the retaining force, the body portion is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle and depress the switch.
3 more elements
A system for medical treatment, comprising:
- an elongate power cable having a proximal end configured for coupling to a power source, and a distal end;
- a handle adjacent the distal end of the power cable, the handle including a longitudinal axis and a distal end coupled to a treatment apparatus;
- a switch within the handle;
- and
- a switch actuator disposed on the handle and engageable with the switch, the switch actuator being capable of movement along the longitudinal axis of the handle between a ready position and a firing position, wherein the switch actuator comprises a body portion a proximal member extending proximally of the body portion, and a hinge connecting the proximal member and the body portion, wherein the hinge is configured to enable the body portion to pivot with respect to the proximal member,
- wherein when the switch actuator is in the ready position it is constrained against movement in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, and when the switch actuator is in the firing position it is capable of moving in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle to depress the switch.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.