Clip-over disposable assembly for use with hemostat-style surgical instrument and methods of manufacturing same
A clip-over disposable assembly includes a switch assembly and a disposable body. The disposable body includes a first disposable member, a second disposable member including first and second wall portions, and a third disposable member. The first wall portion defines a first aperture therethrough and a first cavity configured to receive therein a first portion of the switch assembly. The third disposable member includes a third wall portion, wherein a body of the second disposable member and the third wall portion define an opening configured to allow a shaft of a hemostat-style surgical instrument to pass therethrough. The second wall portion and the third wall portion cooperatively define a chamber in communication with the opening and configured to receive therein at least a portion of the shaft of the hemostat-style surgical instrument, wherein the at least a portion of the shaft is received in the chamber from an off-axis position.
1. A clip-over disposable assembly suitable for use with a hemostat-style surgical instrument, the clip-over disposable assembly comprising:
a switch assembly including a switch; and
a disposable body configured for side-mounting onto a shaft of the hemostat-style surgical instrument, the disposable body including:
a first disposable member including first and second wall portions, the first wall portion defining a first aperture therethrough and a first cavity associated with the first aperture, the first cavity configured to receive therein a first portion of the switch assembly;
a second disposable member including a body defining a second aperture therethrough and a second cavity associated with the second aperture, the second cavity configured to receive therein a second portion of the switch assembly; and
a third disposable member including a third wall portion, wherein the body of the second disposable member and the third wall portion define an opening configured to allow the shaft of the hemostat-style surgical instrument to pass therethrough, and wherein the second wall portion of first disposable member and the third wall portion cooperatively define a chamber in communication with the opening, the chamber configured to receive therein at least a portion of the shaft of the hemostat-style surgical instrument, wherein the at least a portion of the shaft is received in the chamber from an off-axis position.
2. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 1 , wherein the switch assembly further includes a user-actuatable button including first and second user-accessible contact areas.
3. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 2 , wherein the first user-accessible contact area is disposed in association with the first aperture and the second user-accessible contact area is disposed in association with the second aperture.
4. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first user-accessible contact area includes a flange associated therewith configured to facilitate positioning of the first user-accessible contact area relative to the first aperture.
5. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second user-accessible contact area includes a flange associated therewith configured to facilitate positioning of the second user-accessible contact area relative to the second aperture.
6. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 2 , wherein the switch assembly further includes a connector member adapted to operably couple the button and the switch, the connector member defining a longitudinal axis.
7. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 5 , wherein the connector member includes a post member operably associated between the button and the switch.
8. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 7 , wherein the post member includes a post body defining a longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connector member.
9. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 8 , wherein the connector member includes a first connector portion disposed to place the first and second contact areas in operative association with the post body.
10. The clip-over disposable assembly of claim 9 , wherein the connector member further includes a second connector portion disposed to place the post body in operative association with the switch.
11. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
a hemostat-style surgical instrument;
a clip-over disposable assembly adapted to be releaseably attachable to the hemostat-style surgical instrument, the clip-over disposable assembly including:
a switch assembly;
a first disposable member including first and second wall portions, the first wall portion defining a first aperture therethrough and a first cavity associated with the first aperture, the first cavity configured to receive therein a first portion of the switch assembly;
a second disposable member including a body defining a second aperture therethrough and a second cavity associated with the second aperture, the second cavity configured to receive therein a second portion of the switch assembly; and
a third disposable member including a third wall portion, wherein the third wall portion and the second wall portion cooperatively define a chamber configured to receive therein at least a portion of a shaft of a hemostat-style surgical instrument.
12. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the hemostat-style surgical instrument is adapted to direct energy to tissue.
13. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 11 , wherein the hemostat-style surgical instrument is a mechanical forceps.
14. The electrosurgical instrument of claim 11 , further comprising a cable assembly adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy.
15. A method of manufacturing a clip-over disposable assembly, comprising the steps of:
providing a switch assembly;
providing first and second disposable members configured to form an internal chamber when the first and second disposable members are coupled together, the chamber configured to accommodate at least a portion of the switch assembly therein;
coupling the second disposable member to the first disposable member, wherein a first portion of a user-actuatable button of the switch assembly is disposed in association with an outer peripheral surface of the first disposable member and a second portion of the user-actuatable button is disposed in association with an outer peripheral surface the second disposable member;
providing a third disposable member including a wall portion configured to form a chamber when the first and third disposable members are coupled together, the chamber configured to receive therein at least a portion of a shaft of a hemostat-style surgical instrument; and
coupling the third disposable member to the first disposable member.
16. The method of manufacturing a clip-over disposable assembly of claim 15 , wherein the hemostat-style surgical instrument is adapted to direct energy to tissue.
17. The method of manufacturing a clip-over disposable assembly of claim 15 , wherein the switch assembly includes an integral joystick switch.