US2200322A - Cautery handle - Google Patents

Description

IVIay 14, 1940. w, A, ARNESEN `2,200,322

CAUTERY HANDLE Filed Aug. l5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /hnATTORNEYS May 14, 1940 w. A. ARNESEN 2.200.322

CAUTERY HANDLE Filed Aug.' l5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 L/ 1NVENTOR.

Patented May 14, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,200,322 CAUTERY HANDLE Walter A. Ameisen, New York, N. Y.

Application leugnet l5, i936, Serial No. 96,l59

' e marmi. (ci. rsa-mari) This invention relates to improvements in ham dles for surgical instruments and more particularly to improvements in cautery handles.

An object ci the `present invention is to provide a cautery handle oi such construction as to accommodate itself most readily to the grip i a user and at the same time to have incor porated therein novel features and advantages.

Another object or the invention is to provide a cautery handle of such construction as to be capable of holding a cautery electrode in a number oi.' selected relative positions.

Another object oi' the invention is to provide a cautery handle oi' such construction as to accommodate a source of light rays therein in position to illuminate the part of the body being treated in any of the relative positions oi vthe cautery electrode,

Aiurther object of the invention is to provide a cautery handle having incorporated therein switch mechanism conveniently operable together with means for locking such switch mechanism in Contact closing position. l

In carrying out the foregoing and other objects of the invention, a cautery handle is made of some molded material preferably some material having good velectric insulating properties. The handle in the preferred form is made of two complemental parts which, when connected together, resemble the handle of a pistol, such form being selected on account of its adaptability to the hand grip of the user. This handle has secured therein electric socket members for receiving the prongs of a cautery electrode. The

socket members are so disposed as to retain a cautery electrode in a number of positions, in the present instance, two positions which are substantially at right angles to each other. The handle is also provided with a further cavity in which may be secured a socket member carrying a source of light rays. The further cavity is so positioned relative to the electric sockets that a source of light rays properly held by the handle will direct rays toward the end of an electrode held by the handle. Switch mechanism is provided within the handle and an operating member somewhat resembling a trigger is secured to the handle for actuating such mechanism. Since in practice it is sometimes desirable to use the electrode energized over a considerable period of time, locking means are provided for l locking the switch mechanism in contact closing Athe following detailed description of the accom-f Fig. 3 is a plan view of one of the complemen-- tal parts ofthe handle with internal parts thereof in position.

Fig. 4 is a plan view oi the other complemental part of the handle.

Fig. 5 is a section substantially taken on the line -ii of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a section taken substantially on the line 6-t of Fig. l.

Fig. 'l' is a view of one of vthe combined socket and terminal members.

Fig. S is a similar view of the other of such members, and

Fig. 9 is a view of the switching locking member.

Referring now to the drawings, III indicates generally a handle made in accordance with the present invention and comprising complemental members II and I2. These members are made of some suitable material preferably a material having good electric insulating properties and also a material capable of being molded in the desired form. In practice it has been found that a phenol condensation product serves admirably in all respects. The two complemental members II and I2 are held together by means of screws I 4 passing through apertures in the member H into threaded engagement with the walls of apertures in the member I2. The two members II and I2 are provided with cavities I5 and Il' which cooperate to form an opening I6 for the reception of a tubular member I1 having a source of light rays I8 secured in one end thereof. 'I'he members II and I2 areprovided with cavities for the reception of the other parts making up the assembly.

These parts are shown separately in Figs. 7, 8, and 9. The member shown in Fig. '7l comprises a double socket arrangement preferably made from a single piece of metal having good electrical conducting properties. As shown in the drawings, this member comprises a socket made up of two strips of material bent back t0 i'orm a split substantially tubular sleeve. A second socket 2i of similar construction is connected iii to the socket 2li by an integral strip 22. Extending from the socket 2I is an elongated contact member` 24. This part 24 has a definite shape imparted thereto for reasons to be explained hereinafter. Another element in the construction comprises a socket 25 similar to the sockets 20 and 2l and having a contact extension 28 also of a predetermined conguration. In Fig. 9, a member has been shown,-such member having the function of locking switch mechanism in place. A still'further element oi the assembly comprises a terminal member 32 (Fig. 3).

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be seen that the member Il has a cavity therein so shaped that a wall 34 divides part of the cavity into two chambers 35 and 36. These chambers are located in the barrel part 3l oi this member. The angular extending part oi the cavity is divided by a wall 33. In use, the member shown in Fig, 8 is positioned in the cavity with the socket 25 located in the chamber 35. On account of the extra length of socket 25 a clip 39 is positioned partly therearound as shown to impart added resiliency to such socket. The member shown in Fig. '1 is also located in the cavity on the opposite side of the wall 38 with the socket 2| positioned in the chamber 36. When this member has been so positioned. the socket .2li will be located above the socket 25 and spaced a distance therefrom approximately equal to the distance between the sockets 2l and 25. The member 32, as shown in the drawings, has a substantially U-shaped portion 40 which fits around the end of a wall il intruding into the cavity of the member II with a part of the member 32 positioned between this wall and the end of wall 38. The fit is of such good frlctional character as to hold member 32 in place. When the parts are so located, the end of the extension 2li is spaced a slight distance from one end of the member 32.

The two members il and I2 are provided with arc shaped openings i5 and 45' which combine to provide a passageway for electrical conductors 46 and 41. One of the conductors 46 is secured to the extension 26 while the other conductor 41 is secured to one end of the member 32. Recesses 5D and 5i extend through the end of the barrel part 31 into communication with the chambers 35 and 36 respectively. These recesses 50 and 5I are so positioned as to be substantially coaxial with the sockets 25 and 2I respectively which'are positioned in the two chambers.

The member I2 is likewise provided with cavities to properly register with the cavity of the member Il and the other elements positioned in this member. Thus, the member I2 has a cavity 52 shaped and positioned to receive the socket 20. A recess 54 is provided in the end of the barrel part 31' of member I2, such recess extending into the chamber 52 and being substantially coaxial with the socket 20 when the two parts II and I2 are assembled.

Parts of the front walls of the members II and I2 are cut away to provide an opening for the reception of a substantially ilat trigger-like switch actuator 55. This member 55 is held in assembly by means of pins 56 extending from the opposite sides thereof and fitting into recesses in the walls of the .two parts II and I2. When the member 55 is in proper position, one edge thereof bears against the extension 24 as shown in Fig. 3. This extension 24 is preferably of metal having sufiicient resiliency so that normally the parts are held in the relation shown in Fig. 3. Since member 55 is mounted for limited pivotal movement. it follows that this member can be moved to force extension 24 against a part of the member 32, thereby closing an electrical circuit. The opposite edge of member 55 is shaped as shown at 51 to fit the fingers of a user.

Since it is sometimes desirable to lock the switch mechanism comprising the parts 24 and 32 in circuit closing position, the locking member 3B is slidably mounted in suitable slots in the two parts II and I2. The member 55 is provided with a slot 58 into which the oilset part 59 of member 30 can fit when member E55 has been moved to circuit closing position. A tab t@ of member 30 extends through an opening 3i provided in the handle by two cooperating recesses in the members II and i2. This tab BIJ is available for manipulation by the user.

The rear edges of the two members li and l2 are cut away to provide a channel 32 which extends from the through opening I3 to the end of the stock portion of the handle. The parts il and I2 are provided near the lower end of the stock portion of each thereof with matched recesses E# and which serve to receive a metal spring clip. The channel 62 serves to receive a cable 66 supplying current to the source of light rays I8 while the clip positioned in the recesses 34 and 65 serves to hold this cable in the recess 62.

Since one of the conductors 46 is in electrical contact with the socket 25, it follows that this socket serves as a common socket for completing a circuit with either of the sockets 20 or 2l. These two sockets 2B and 2i are in effect in parallel since the other conductor 41 becomes electrically connected thereto whenl the extension 24 is brought into contact with the terminal 32 to which conductor" is attached. In use there" fore a cautery electrode having two prongs can be secured to the handle in either one of two positions. If desired, one prong of the electrode can be inserted through opening 5U into the socket 25 while the other prong can be simultaneously inserted through opening 54 into the socket 20. Under these circumstances, the socket 2I is idle. If desired. however, the cautery electrode can be arranged at right angles to this first position by simultaneously inserting the prongs thereof through the openings 50 and 5I into the sockets 25 and 2l respectively.

With an electrode in either one of the two positions, the energizing circuit. therefore, can be closed by moving the trigger-like member 55 rearwardly until extension 24 contacts with terminal 32. If the operation to be performed by the electrode requires any length of time, the trigger member 55 can be locked in contact closing position by manipulation of the locking member 30 through the agency of the tab 5D.

If desired, the field of operation can be illumihated by means of the source of light rays I 8 which is inserted from the rear into the through opening I6, the carrier or socket I1 being moved until the bulb I8 reaches the proper location. It is to be understood, of course, that the extensions 26 and 24 are depressed relative to the arcuate shaped opening I5 so that these parts which are metallic cannot come into contact with the socket I1 which is also metallic. To insure that such contingency cannot arise, the member I2 is provided with lingers 10 and 1I which are adapted 'I0 to fit in the cavity of member II on the opposite sides of the wall 38 at the region indicated by the reference character 33'. These fingers 10 and 1I engage the extensions 26 and 24 respectively substantially at this point so that the respective u fidi sockets are held in proper place in their chambers and the extensions 2t and 24 are held depressed relative to the wall of the arcuate shaped opening it. in order that the member il' can be held in place against adventitlous removal, a resilient member it oi some good insulating material such as rubber is positioned in matched recesses in the members. ii and i2. The recesses are so positioned that the member l5 protrudes partially into the through opening it so that the'surface ci the socket member il! will come into contact therewitii. A l

From the Jforegoing, it will be apparent that the present device provides a new type of handle ior cautery electrodes and the like, which type or handle possesses advantages not present in types heretoiore used. The handle initially has been designed to ilt most comfortably the hand oi the user, hence the shape closely resembling the shape ci a part ci an automatic pistol. The socket arrangement in the handle makes possible the use of cautery electrodes in either one of two positions, in one oi which the plane passing through the two prongs of the electrodeis substantially parallel with the top of the barrel'part ot' the handle and in the other of which this plane is at right angles to the top of the barrel portion oi the handle. With these two positions available, it will be apparent that one or the 7' other thereof will serve to meet practically any situation arising. Moreover, the special switch arrangement provides an efdcient trigger-like contact member which can be easily moved to circuit closing position to energize the electrode in any of its relative positions. Likewise the locking arrangement hereinbeiore described makes possible the use of the instrument without maintaining pressure by the operator to keep the switch closed.

ein yacldltlcuial feature present in this device comprises the arrangement by which the area under treatment is properly illuminated, if desited, at all times. As shown in the drawings, the through opening iii is inclined relative to the axis oi the sockets so that the rays of light directed :from the bulb it will be focused at a point somewhat in advance of the end of the handle. This point of focus ordinarily will be substantially coincident with the energized tip of the cautery instrument. Of course, thev light arrangement can be dispensed with if desired but the presence thereof at all times does not interfere with the use of the instrument since the conductor cable for the source of light rays is seated in a recess in the socket part of the handle and is retained therein by a spring clip.

The handle herein shown possesses a special merit that electrodes can be used in connection therewith in various positions as before explained. For example, if the electrodey indicated at 90 (Fig. 1) has a thin at heating element as shown at 9|, it may be desirable to manipulate this element to simulate a cutting action. Under some circumstances it will be desirable to move the cutting element vertically relative to the handle as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, or it may be desirable to move the element horizontally relative to the handle (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1). In either position the energization of the element is accomplished in the manner before set forth.

While the switch arrangement including the actuator has been described in' connection with the preferred form, it is to be understood that other arrangements combining the switchmechanism and actuator can be used. The requisites are that the switch and actuator be of such character as to permit closing of the switch by finger control, together with an arrangement in which the switch can be held closed either by sustained nger pressure or by some locking arrangement which obviates the necessity for sustaining 'lnger pressure. 'Various types of mechanism obviously will accomplish these purposes.

it is to be understood that the invention is capable of modification beyond the embodiment illustrated in view or which any limitations thereupon are to be such only as are set forth in the following claims.

l. A device of the character described com prising a handle made up of complemental portions secured together, said hand-le having a plurality of chambers therein, electric sockets in said chambers for the reception of the prongs of a cautery electrode in any one of a plurality of positions relative to said handle, said handle being provided with openings alined with said sockets yfor the passage o said prongs, said openings passing through` insulating material in front of and shielding said sockets, and means for controlling the supply of electric energy to said sockets.

2. A device of the character described comprising a handle made up of complemental portions secured together, said handle having chambers therein, electric sockets in said chambers for the reception 01"' the prongs of a cautery electrode, a spring contactlmernber movably mounted in said handle for controlling the iow oi current to said sockets, a triggerdike contact actuator secured to said handle, and means for locking said trigger-like actuator in engagement with said spring contact and in position closing an electric circuit through a cautery electrode held by said sockets.

3. A device ot the character described comprising a handle made up of complemental portions secured together, said handle having chambers therein, electric sockets in said chambers for the reception of the prongs of a cautery electrode, said handle having a through opening therein beneath said chambers and a light bulb carrier removably secured in said through opening.

Ll. A device of the character described comprising a handle made up of complemental portions secured together, said handle having chambers therein, electric sockets in said chambers for the reception of the prongs of a cautery electrode, said handle having a through opening therein beneath said chambers, a light bulb carrier removably secured in said through opening, said light carrier having conductors connected thereto, said handle having a recess extending downwardly from said through opening along one edge of said handle to receive said conductors.

5. A device of the character described comprising a handle made up of complemental portions secured together,r said handle having chambers therein, electric sockets inl said chambers for the reception of the prongs of a cautery electrode, said sockets being arranged substantially in triangular relation whereby a cautery electrode can be held in either one of two positions relative to the handle, said handle being provided with openings alined with said sockets for the passage of said prongs, said openings passing through insulating material in front of and shielding said sockets, a single switch in said handle for controlling the supply of energy to a cautery electrode held in any one of its relative positions, a

switch actuator secured to 'said handle, and means for locking said actuator in switch closing position.

6. A device of the character described comprising a handle made up of complemental portions secured together, said handle having chambers therein, electric sockets .in said chambers for the reception of the prongs of a cautery electrode, said sockets being arranged substantially in tri- 10 angular relation whereby a cautery electrode can be held in either one o1' two positions relative to the handle, said handle being provided with a through opening beneath said sockets, and n. light bulb carrier removably secured in said through opening, said through opening;r extending at suchvinclination as to cause the projection of light rays from a bulb carried thereby toward the remote end of 'a cautery electrode in any of its relative positions.

WALTER A. ARNESEN.

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