Sherwood Services Ag

Covidien Ag

Covidien LP

Arthur L Schoenman

Chris J Ehr

Joe Don Sartor

Vernita Kelm

Arlan James Reschke

Michael Hogan

Terrance M Duffin

Jason P Small

Thomas G Neal

Christopher J Ehr

An electrosurgical return pad including a material backing configured to support first and second conductive materials and an insulative layer disposed therebetween. A switch element is mounted on the first conductive material and is activatable upon reaching a threshold condition, such as temperature. Upon reaching the threshold condition, the switch element automatically activates to provide electrical continuity between the first and second conductive materials to offset the threshold condition.

Multi-layer return electrode

A return pad cable connector, in accordance with the present disclosure, for use with a disposable return pad, includes a cord having a conductive wire disposed therethrough which conductive wire interconnects the return pad cable connector to an electrosurgical energy source. The return pad further includes a connector operatively coupled to the cord, the connector having a conductive surface which is selectively engageable with a corresponding conductive surface disposed on the return pad, the conductive surface of the connector including a conductive adhesive disposed thereon and a non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the connector for engagement with a corresponding non-conductive adhesive disposed above the periphery of the conductive surface of the return pad. The connector can include a magnet for magnetically coupling the connector to the conductive surface disposed on the return pad.

Return pad cable connector

A method of manufacturing a seal in an electrosurgical device includes placing components of the electrosurgical device within an elongated housing section, the housing section including an actuator opening, introducing the housing section within a mold filled with a liquid thermoplastic elastomer and allowing the elastomer to flow within the housing, forming an elastomeric inwardly-extending lip portion circumferentially surrounding an opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device for introducing an electrode therein, and allowing the molded elastomer to cure and become integral with the housing to seal the components within the molded elastomer contained within the housing section. The method may also include the step of forming an elastomeric actuator seal around the actuator opening.

Electrosurgical device having a dielectric seal

A torque apparatus for the installation and removal of threaded connecting device that employs a plurality of leaf spring elements engaging a plurality of asymmetrical drive teeth sides to establish preset torque values in a hermetically sealed configuration or a variable range of preset torque values in a second configuration. The preset torque values can be readily changed in the second configuration by employing different quantities of leaf springs, differing leaf spring designs, or varying the geometry of the rotor drive teeth. The leaf spring to rotor drive teeth interface provides a slip mechanism to prevent over-torquing when torque values for the installation of a threaded connecting type device is exceeded. While both torque wrench configurations are sterilizable, the torque wrench that is capable of full disassembly for sterilization and use thereafter in a sterilized environment, is reconfigurable for different torque applications without calibration. The wrench can be primarily constructed as disposable device.

Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of torque

An electrosurgical device is provided having at least one elastomeric seal capable of providing bio-contamination and dielectric protection by inhibiting the ingress of fluids and contaminants through the nose and actuator areas. The elastomeric seal is manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer or resin which while in liquid form is placed within a mold. A housing section having the main circuit components and mechanisms of the electrosurgical device is then placed within the mold. Once the elastomer cures, the elastomeric seal seals the components and mechanisms within the housing partial-section. The elastomeric seal defines a flexible first opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device to accommodate varying diameters of electrodes or blades connected to the nose area of the electrosurgical device. An actuator seal is also provided on the actuator area of the electrosurgical device to prevent fluids and contaminants from entering the electrosurgical device through the actuator area. Two buttons are insert molded within the actuator seal and are operatively associated with a self-cleaning switching mechanism within the housing section to operate the electrosurgical device between a cutting and coagulating mode. The actuator seal is also manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer or resin.

Growing community of inventors

Longmont, CO, United States of America

Arthur L Schoenman