Megadyne Medical Products, Inc.

Eric S Steckel

William S Nettekoven

An electrosurgical electrode connector instrument for use in rapidly and easily connecting/disconnecting a disposable electrosurgical tip to and from a non-disposable mounting body. The non-disposable body includes a rod-like extension equipped with a pair of specially shaped projecting pins each having ramps and a curved surface. These pins are positioned on opposite sides of the rod-shaped extension. The disposable electrosurgical tip is provided at its proximal end with a tunnel-like recess having a pair of longitudinally disposed slots to define a pair of bifurcated cantilevered springy wall members each fitted with a small pin-locking aperture, thus adapting the disposable tip for telescopic engagement with the rod-like extension so that the recess of the disposable tip can be slid onto the rod-like extension with the specially shaped pins spreading the springy wall members slightly. After the tunnel-like recess has fully telescoped onto the aforementioned extension, the specially shaped pins snap into the pin-locking apertures to disengageably lock them in place. When it is desired to unlock the tip, the curved surfaces of the special geometrical characteristics of the pins make it possible to unlock the tip merely by a slight twist.

Electrosurgical electrode connector

An instrument for use in electrosurgical procedures wherein coatings of two different materials are disposed on external surfaces. The first of these materials is selected to provide the principal insulating qualities desired, whereas the second is included to provide an indication of deterioration. The relative characteristics between the two coatings is selected so that when the visual appearance of the second coating progresses to a predetermined level, the insulating qualities of the first coating will still be satisfactory but approaching a point when the instrument has reached the end of its useful life, thus providing a ready and passive visual indication of the time when the instrument should be replaced.

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Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Eric S Steckel