Ethicon, Gmbh

Peter Wenzler

Andrew R Eggers

Philip Eggers

A pivoting device the two electrically conductive arms ( ) of which are connected pivotably by a screwed joint ( ) having a screw ( ) and a nut ( ). Surfaces ( ) of the arms ( ) which rest against one another, and also the pivoting device ( ), are electrically insulated. The nut ( ) has, at least in part, a noncircular, preferably elliptical, smooth circumferential surface ( ). Holes ( ) in the two arms ( ) for accommodating the screwed joint ( ) are designed in such a way that, in the assembled state, the screw ( ) and the nut ( ) are arranged in a recessed manner in the holes ( ). Electrically insulating material is provided at least in the region of the surface of the screw ( ) and the nut ( ) and/or the inner walls of both holes ( ) in the scissor arms ( ).

Pivoting device for pivotable parts of bipolar electrosurgical equipments

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument having an improved pivot screw design is disclosed. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument has a first half which has a first pivot surface and a first bore. The first bore has a first stepped portion and an elongated portion proximate to the first pivot surface. A second half has a second pivot surface and a second bore having a second stepped portion. An insulating material is disposed on the first pivot surface and the elongated portion of the first bore. A first insert having a third bore in which the third bore has first threads is disposed in the second bore and prevented from entering the first bore by the second stepped portion. A second insert having a fourth bore is disposed in the second bore between the second stepped portion and the first insert and prevented from entering the first bore by the second stepped portion. Lastly, a pivot screw having a head and a second thread is disposed in the first, second, and third bores such that the head is prevented from entering the second bore by the first stepped portion and where the second thread passes through the first, second, and fourth bores, into the third bore engaging with the first thread whereby the first half is fastened to the second half for sliding contact between the first and second pivot surfaces. This arrangement leads to a bipolar instrument which greatly decreases the possibility of current leakage between instrument halves.

Pivot screw for bipolar surgical instruments

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument having an improved pivot screw design is disclosed. The bipolar electrosurgical instrument has a first half which has a first pivot surface and a first bore. The first bore has a first stepped portion and an elongated portion proximate to the first pivot surface. A second half has a second pivot surface and a second bore having a second stepped portion. An insulating material is disposed on the first pivot surface and the elongated portion of the first bore. A first insert having a third bore in which the third bore has first threads is disposed in the second bore and prevented from entering the first bore by the second stepped portion. A second insert having a fourth bore is disposed in the second bore between the second stepped portion and the first insert and prevented from entering the first bore by the second stepped portion. Lastly, a pivot screw having a head and a second thread is disposed in the first, second, and third bores such that the head is prevented from entering the second bore by the first stepped portion and where the second thread passes through the first, second, and fourth bores, into the third bore engaging with the first thread whereby the first half is fastened to the second half for sliding contact between the first and second pivot surfaces.

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Frittlingen, Germany

Peter Wenzler