Ingress protection for electrosurgical pencil switch

Abstract

A method of assembling a surgical instrument includes coupling a power bus to a switch base that has a top, a bottom, and side surfaces; adhering a membrane to the top surface of the switch base over the power bus to form a switch base assembly; positioning the switch base assembly within a first portion of a switch base cavity defined by a lower housing portion; and joining the lower housing portion with an upper housing portion. The upper housing portion defines a second portion of the switch base cavity. Joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion disposes the switch base within the first portion of the switch base cavity and prevents fluid from penetrating a proximal portion of the switch base cavity within which an electrical lead is coupled to the power bus.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a surgical instrument, the method comprising: coupling a power bus to a switch base including a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces; adhering a membrane to the top surface of the switch base over the power bus to form a switch base assembly; positioning the switch base assembly within a first portion of a switch base cavity defined by a lower housing portion; and joining the lower housing portion with an upper housing portion defining a second portion of the switch base cavity such that the switch base is disposed within the first portion of the switch base cavity, wherein the upper and lower housing portions form a seal proximal of the switch base assembly such that fluid is prevented from penetrating a proximal portion of the switch base cavity within which at least one electrical lead is coupled to the power bus.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion includes engaging portions of the membrane adhered to each of the side surfaces of the switch base with walls of the first and second portions of the switch base cavity to form a fluid impermeable seal.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion includes forming proximal and distal lower bulkheads defining the switch base cavity therebetween, each of the proximal and distal lower bulkheads engage and form a fluid impermeable seal with the switch base.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning an actuator within an actuator opening defined by the upper housing portion, the actuator opening being in communication with the switch base cavity.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising electrically coupling at least one electrical lead disposed within a cable to the power bus.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion includes at least one of applying adhesive, sonic welding, or laser welding.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion includes engaging the membrane with upper bulkheads extending from the upper housing portion towards the lower housing portion to form a fluid impermeable seal with the membrane.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein engaging the membrane with upper bulkheads includes compressing the membrane against the switch base.

9. A method of assembling a surgical instrument, the method comprising: coupling a power bus to a switch base including a top surface, a bottom surface and side surfaces; adhering a membrane to the top surface of the switch base over the power bus to form a switch base assembly; positioning the switch base assembly within a first portion of a switch base cavity defined by a lower housing portion; and joining the lower housing portion with an upper housing portion defining a second portion of the switch base cavity such that the switch base is disposed within the first portion of the switch base cavity, wherein the upper and lower housing portions form a seal in a proximal portion of the switch base cavity such that fluid is prevented from penetrating the first portion of the switch base cavity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion includes engaging portions of the membrane adhered to each of the side surfaces of the switch base with walls of the first and second portions of the switch base cavity to form a seal.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion includes forming proximal and distal switch base bulkheads that define the switch base cavity therebetween, each of the proximal and distal switch base bulkheads engage and forming a seal with the switch base.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising positioning a switch within a switch opening defined by the upper housing portion, the switch opening in communication with the switch base cavity.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising electrically coupling a power cable to the power bus.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion includes at least one of applying adhesive, sonic welding, or laser welding.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion includes engaging the membrane with switch protrusions extending from the upper housing portion towards the lower housing portion to form a seal with the membrane.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein engaging the membrane with the switch protrusions includes compressing the membrane against the switch base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary electrosurgical system including an electrosurgical pencil in accordance with the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the components of the electrosurgical pencil of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure; and

(4) FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal axis of the electrosurgical pencil of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) Embodiments of the present disclosure are now described in detail with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein, the term clinician refers to a doctor, a nurse, or any other care provider and may include support personnel. Throughout this description, the term proximal refers to the portion of the device or component thereof that is closest to the clinician and the term distal refers to the portion of the device or component thereof that is farthest from the clinician.

(6) The present disclosure provides for electrosurgical devices (e.g., pencils) and methods for assembling the same. The presently disclosed electrosurgical devices are configured to be assembled in automated manner or with minimal manual labor while sealing the electrical components within the housing and preventing fluid and other contaminants from contacting into the electrical components. The electrosurgical device according to the present disclosure includes a membrane disposed over electrical components of the device, (e.g., switch base and power bus), which in turn is disposed within a housing including a plurality of bulkheads. The combination of the membrane and the bulkheads provide for a fluid impermeable seal for the electrical components of the device. As used herein, the term fluid impermeable includes fluid resistant or fluid proof and denotes making the electrical components impervious to fluids and any other contaminants.

(7) Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of an electrosurgical system 100 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown and includes an electrosurgical pencil 10, an electrosurgical generator 110, and an electrode 120. The generator 110 is configured to provide electrosurgical energy to the pencil 10 allowing the pencil 10 to coagulate, ablate, or otherwise treat tissue. The generator 110 includes a receptacle 112 or a cable (not shown) to connect to the pencil 10 as detailed below. In embodiments, the pencil 10 is a monopolar pencil includes an active electrode 120 and the generator 110 includes a return electrode or pad 114 that is placed in contact with a patient during use of the pencil 10. It is also contemplated that the pencil 10 may be a bipolar pencil including a return electrode.

(8) Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pencil 10 includes a first or upper housing portion 20a and a second or lower housing portion 20b that are coupled together to form a housing 20 (FIG. 1), which defines a longitudinal axis A-A. The housing portions 20a, 20b are coupled together along mating surfaces 24a, 24b that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A to form a seal along the mating surfaces 24a, 24b. The housing portions 20a, 20b may be coupled together by applying adhesive, sonic welding, laser welding, or any other suitable methods.

(9) The housing portions 20a, 20b together define a proximal opening 22, a distal opening 38, and a tortuous path 21 therebetween. The tortuous path 21 includes a proximal switch base bulkhead 26 and a distal lower bulkhead 32 defining a switch base cavity 27 therebetween.

(10) With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pencil 10 includes a switch base assembly 12 positioned within the switch base cavity 27 and a power cable 14 passing through the proximal opening 22, which is coupled to the switch base assembly 12. The switch base assembly 12 includes a switch base 40, a power bus 50, and a flexible membrane 60.

(11) The switch base 40 may be constructed of a nonconductive material (e.g., thermoplastics, ceramics, and dielectric polymers). The switch base 40 has a distal end surface 41, a top surface 42, a bottom surface 44, side surfaces 46, and a proximal end surface 49. The top surface 42 defines bus openings 43 (FIG. 2) for receiving portions of the power bus 50. The proximal end surface 49 defines a connector opening 45 adjacent a proximal end of the switch base 40. The side surfaces 46 may define cutouts 47 adjacent the top surface 42.

(12) The power bus 50 is coupled to the top surface 42 of the switch base 40 and is constructed of a conductive material (e.g., copper, silver, gold, stainless steel, various alloys and combinations thereof). The power bus 50 may be stamped from a single piece of conductive material. The power bus 50 includes prongs 52, switch contacts 54, and an electrode contact 58. The power bus 50 may include side protrusions 53 extending into the cutouts 47 of the switch base 40. The side protrusions 53 align the power bus 50 with the switch base 40 and may secure the power bus 50 to the switch base 40. In embodiments, the side protrusions 53 capture portions of the switch base 40 therebetween to secure the power bus 50 to the switch base 40.

(13) An electrode 120 (FIG. 1) is coupled to the electrode contact 58 of the power bus 50. The electrode contact may define an electrode opening 59 that frictionally receives the electrode 120 (FIG. 1). The electrode contact 58 extends through the distal lower bulkhead 32 from the switch base 40. The tortuous path 21 includes the electrode bulkhead 34, such that the electrode contact 58 may pass through and form a fluid impermeable seal with the electrode bulkhead 34.

(14) Each of the prongs 52 extends into a respective bus opening 43 to electrically engage a respective lead 19 of cable 14 to create an insulated displacement connection with the respective lead 19. Each of the switch contacts 54 has a non-activated position and an activation position. In the non-activated position, a conductive path is broken and in the activated position, a conductive path is formed between the corresponding prong 52 and the electrode contact 58. When a conductive path is formed, energy is permitted to pass from the generator 110 to the electrode contact 58.

(15) With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the power cable 14 includes a proximal end 15 (FIG. 1), a distal end 18, and a sheath 17 therebetween. The proximal end 15 includes a plug 16 (FIG. 1) that releasably couples to the generator 110 (e.g., the plug 16 is received within the receptacle 112 of the generator). The distal end 18 includes connectors or leads 19 that insert into the connector opening 45 (FIG. 3) of the switch base 40 such that each of the leads 19 is positioned within one of the bus openings 43.

(16) The bottom surface 44 of the switch base 40 may define keyed openings 48 (FIG. 3) and the housing portion 20b may include keys 28 that are received within the keyed openings 48 to longitudinally position and fix the switch base 40 within the switch base cavity 27. The keys 28 may be received within the keyed openings 48 to seal a portion of the switch base 40 (e.g., the proximal most keys 28 may seal the lower end of the bus openings 43. It is contemplated that the keys 28 may be slightly larger than the keyed openings 48 such that when the keys 28 are received within the keyed openings 48 the keys 28 frictionally secure the switch base 40 within the switch base cavity 27. In addition, the keys 28 also prevent fluid from entering the openings 43 and contacting the prongs 52 and/or leads 19.

(17) The membrane 60 also forms a fluid impermeable seal with the switch base assembly 12 to prevent fluid from contacting the prongs 52, the switch contacts 54, or other electrical connections of the switch base assembly 12. The membrane 60 may be constructed of a flexible non-conductive material applied with adhesive on the side facing the switch base 40, which allows the actuator 70 to engage the switch contacts 54. Suitable non-conductive materials include, but are not limited to, polymeric materials, such as polyester films or ionically cross-linked thermoplastics based upon ethylene copolymerised with carboxyl groups and a metal ions. It is contemplated that the flexible membrane 60 is a laminate of materials including polyester for strength, a resin layer for toughness, and an adhesive layer. It will be appreciated that the flexible membrane may be resilient, yet flexible to allow for deflection of the switch contacts 54 without reducing the tactile feel of the switch contacts 54.

(18) The membrane 60 includes a top portion 62 that is disposed over the top surface 42 of the switch base 40 and the power bus 50. The membrane 60 may be adhered using adhesive and/or formed as a film over the switch base 40 and the power bus 50 and allowed to dry and adhere thereto. The top portion 62 may be adhered to the top surface 42 of the switch base 40 and/or the power bus 50. The membrane 60 includes side portions 64 that extend from the top portion 62 towards the bottom surface 44 of the switch base 40 to form a fluid impermeable seal with the side surfaces 46 of the switch base 40. The side portions 64 may be adhered to the side surfaces 46 of the switch base 40 and/or the power bus 50. In embodiments, the membrane 60 may include bottom portions (not shown) that extend from the side portions 64 towards one another and form a fluid impermeable seal with the bottom surface 44 of the switch base 40. The bottom portions (not shown) may be adhered to the bottom surface 44 of the switch base 40.

(19) With reference to FIG. 3, the housing portion 20a defines a switch opening 29 in communication with an upper portion 27a of the switch base cavity 27. An actuator 70 is disposed within the switch opening 29. The actuator 70 may be a rocker switch that rocks (e.g., pivots) within the switch opening 29 to activate switch contacts 54 as described above. Alternatively, the actuator 70 may be one or more push buttons (not shown) positioned within the switch opening 29. It will be appreciated that fluid may ingress through the switch opening 29, switch ingress I.sub.S (FIG. 3), into the upper portion 27a of the switch base cavity 27.

(20) With reference to FIG. 3, the pencil 10 includes features (e.g., membrane 60 and proximal and distal upper bulkheads 66, 68) to prevent the fluid ingressing through the switch opening 29 (e.g., switch fluid ingress I.sub.S), through the proximal opening 22 (proximal fluid ingress I.sub.P), and through the distal opening 38 (e.g., distal fluid ingress I.sub.D) from contacting electrical components within the switch base cavity 27. The tortuous path 21 includes a plurality of bulkheads (e.g., bulkheads 25, 32, 34, 65, 66, etc.) that limit fluid ingress into the switch base cavity 27, such that in instances in which any fluid that penetrates through the bulkheads is retained in compartments defined therebetween in the tortuous path 21.

(21) In particular, when the switch base assembly 12 is disposed within the switch base cavity 27 of the tortuous path 21, portions of the tortuous path 21 engage the membrane 60 to form a fluid impermeable seal with the membrane 60 to prevent fluid from contacting the prongs 52, the switch contacts 54, or other electrical connections of the switch base assembly 12. With particular reference to FIG. 3, the first housing portion 20a includes proximal and distal upper bulkheads 66, 68 that extend downward towards the second housing portion 20b. The proximal upper bulkhead 66 are positioned adjacent a proximal end of the switch opening 29 and the distal upper bulkhead 68 are positioned adjacent a distal end of the switch opening 29. The proximal and distal upper bulkheads 66, 68 engage the membrane 60 to form a fluid impermeable seal with the membrane 60 to prevent fluid from contacting the switch contacts 54 or electrical connections of the switch base assembly 12. Additionally, the proximal and distal upper bulkheads 66, 68 compress the membrane 60 against the switch base 40 and/or the power bus 50 to form a fluid impermeable seal. The second housing portion 20b includes a plurality of proximal lower bulkheads 65, which extend upward toward the first housing portion 20a. The proximal lower bulkheads 65 engage the bottom surface 44 of the switch base 40 to prevent fluid from contacting the switch contacts 54 or electrical connections of the switch base assembly 12.

(22) First and second housing portions 20a and 20b also include a switch base bulk head 26, a cable bulkhead 25, and a proximal opening bulkhead 23 to prevent proximal fluid ingress I.sub.P from reaching proximal portion 27c of the switch base cavity 27. More specifically, the sheath 17 of the cable 14 forms a fluid impermeable seal with each of the proximal switch base bulkhead 26, cable bulkhead 25, and the proximal opening bulkhead 23. The proximal opening bulkhead 23 is positioned adjacent the proximal opening 22 to prevent proximal fluid ingress I.sub.P through the proximal opening 22 from contacting electrical components within the switch base cavity 27. The power cable bulk head 25 is positioned between the proximal opening 22 and the proximal switch base bulk head 26 to further prevent proximal fluid ingress I.sub.P through the proximal opening 22 from contacting electrical components within the switch base cavity 27.

(23) In embodiments, the tortuous path 21 also includes a distal opening bulkhead 36 positioned adjacent the distal opening 38 to further prevent distal fluid ingress I.sub.D (FIG. 3) through the distal opening 38 from contacting electrical components within the switch base cavity 27. In certain embodiments, the tortuous path 21 includes an electrode bulkhead 34 positioned between the distal lower bulkhead 32 and the distal opening 38 to further prevent distal fluid ingress I.sub.D (FIG. 3) through the distal opening 38 from contacting electrical components within the switch base cavity 27. In further embodiments, the tortuous path 21 also includes a distal lower bulkhead 32, which seals the switch base cavity 27 to prevent distal fluid ingress I.sub.D (FIG. 3) through the distal opening 38 from contacting electrical components within the switch base cavity 27.

(24) Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly of the pencil 10 is detailed in accordance with the present disclosure. The switch base assembly 12 is assembled by coupling the power cable 14 to the switch base 40, coupling the power bus 50 to the switch base 40, and adhering the membrane 60 to the switch base 40. The leads 19 of the power cable 14 are inserted into the connector opening 45 in the proximal end surface 49 of the switch base 40 to couple the power cable 14 to the switch base 40. Each of the prongs 52 is electrically coupled to a respective one of the leads 19 when the prongs 52 are inserted into the bus openings 43.

(25) To couple the power bus 50 to the switch base 40, the prongs 52 are inserted into the bus openings 43 defined by the top surface 42 such that each of the prongs 52 is in electrical communication with one of the leads 19 and the electrode contact 58 extends distally from the top surface 42 of the switch base 40. In embodiments where the power bus 50 includes side protrusions 53, the side protrusions 53 are received within the cutouts 47 in the side surfaces 46 of the switch base 40. The side protrusions 53 may assist in aligning and positioning the power bus 50 relative to the switch base. The side protrusions 53 may be portions of the switch contacts 54 that are disconnected from the power bus 50 adjacent the bus openings 43 after the power bus 50 is installed and the electrical connects are made between the leads 19 and the prongs 52.

(26) With the power bus 50 coupled to the top surface 42 of the switch base 40, the membrane 60 is adhered to the switch base 40 to seal the top surface 42 of the switch base 40 and the power bus 50. The membrane 60 may be adhered to the top surface 42 of the switch base 40 over the power bus 50. Additionally or alternatively, the membrane 60 may extend from the top surface 42 over a portion of the side surfaces 46 and may be adhered to the side surfaces 46. In some embodiments, the membrane 60 may extend over each side surface 46 and portions of the membrane 60 may extend over a portion of the bottom surface 44 and may be adhered to the bottom surface 44. Additionally, the membrane 60 may extend over portions of the power cable 14.

(27) With the switch base assembly 12 assembled, the switch base assembly 12 is secured within the switch base cavity 27. The switch base assembly 12 is aligned with the second housing portion 20b such that the switch base 40 is positioned in the lower portion 27b of the switch base cavity 27 defined by the second housing portion 20b. The proximal end of the switch base 40 may engage the proximal switch base bulkhead 26 or the distal end of the switch base 40 may engage the distal lower bulkhead 32. Additionally or alternatively, each of the keys 28 of the second housing portion 20b engage a respective keyed opening 48 defined in the bottom surface 44 of the switch base 40 to align the switch base 40 with the second housing portion 20b. The sheath 17 of the power cable 14 is positioned in the tortuous path 21 passing through the proximal opening 22. The sheath 17 may pass through and form a fluid impermeable seal with each of the proximal switch base bulk head 26, the cable bulkhead 25, and the proximal opening bulkhead 23. The electrode connector 58 may pass through and form a fluid impermeable seal with each of the distal lower bulkhead 32 and the electrode bulkhead 34.

(28) The first housing portion 20a is positioned over the second housing portion 20b and the switch base assembly 12 such that the switch base assembly 12 is aligned with the upper portion 27a of the switch base cavity 27 defined by the first housing portion 20a. The actuator 70 is positioned between the first housing portion 20a and the switch base assembly 12. The actuator 70 is pressed into the first housing portion 20a such that the actuator 70 is pivotally coupled to the first housing portion 20a. The actuator 70 may be pressed into the first housing portion 20a before the first housing portion 20a is positioned over the first housing portion 20a and the switch base assembly 12.

(29) Next, the first housing portion 20a is pressed over the switch base assembly 12. The proximal and distal upper bulkheads 66, 68 extending from the first housing portion 20a engage the membrane to form a fluid impermeable seal with the membrane 60 to prevent fluid ingressing into the upper portion 27a of the switch base cavity 27 through the switch opening 29 from contacting the switch contacts 54 or other electrical connections of the switch base assembly 12. Additionally, the proximal and distal upper bulkhead 66, 68 may compress the membrane 60 against the switch base 40 and/or the power bus 50. The first housing portion 20a is pressed over the switch base assembly 12 until the mating surfaces 24a, 24b of each of the first and second housing portions 20a, 20b in contact with one another. The first and second housing portions 20a, 20b are then coupled together in a sealing relationship by applying adhesive, sonic welding, laser welding, or any other suitable methods.

(30) With the first and second housing portions 20a, 20b coupled together, fluid is prevented from contacting portions of the switch contacts 24 and the electrical connections of the switch base assembly 12. The lower portion 27b of the switch base cavity 27 is sealed in a fluid proof manner by at least the membrane 60, the proximal switch base bulkhead 26, the distal lower bulkhead 32, and the second housing portion 20b.

(31) It is contemplated that the assembly of the pencil 10 as detailed herein may be completely automated (i.e., without the need for hand labor during the assembly).

(32) It is contemplated that fluid may enter the pencil 10 through the switch opening 29 into the upper portion 27a of the switch base cavity 27 defined by the first housing portion 20a, the proximal opening 22, and the distal opening 38. As such, the membrane 60 is positioned to prevent fluid that enters the pencil 10 through the switch opening 29 from penetrating the lower portion 27b of the switch base cavity 27 and contacting the switch contacts 54 and other electrical connections of the switch base assembly 12. The proximal switch base bulkhead 26 prevents fluid that enters the pencil through the proximal opening 22 from penetrating the switch base cavity 27. In addition, the proximal opening bulkhead 23 or the cable bulkhead 25 may prevent fluid that enters the pencil 10 through the proximal opening 22 from penetrating the switch base cavity 27. The distal lower bulkhead 32 prevents fluid that enters the pencil 10 through the distal opening 38 from penetrating the switch base cavity 27. In addition, the electrode bulkhead 34 and the distal opening bulkhead 36 may prevent fluid that enters the pencil 10 through the distal opening 38 from penetrating the switch base cavity 27.

(33) While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.