Electrosurgical pencil
An electrosurgical pencil adapted to receive an electrode controllable by an electrical signal for performing surgical operations. This pencil includes a housing, a circuit, and a switch that is activatable from outside the housing for closing the circuit. The housing receives the electrode. The circuit is a flexible circuit and is positioned such that it is in direct contact with the electrode when the electrode is received in the housing.
1. Electrosurgical pencil having an electrode controllable by an electrical signal for performing surgical operations, comprising:
a housing including a main housing part; a first housing part and a second housing part,
a circuit, and
switching means adapted to be activated from outside the housing for closing the circuit,
the housing comprises receiving means for receiving the electrode,
wherein the circuit is a flexible printed circuit positioned such that it is in direct contact with the electrode, when the electrode is positioned in the receiving means.
2. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible circuit comprises a first portion and a second portion wherein the second portion is substantially parallel to the first portion, when mounted in the housing.
3. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 2 , wherein the switching means comprises a switch and an actuator, and wherein the first portion of the flexible circuit is positioned between the actuator and the switch.
4. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 2 , wherein at least a part of the second portion of the flexible circuit is positioned between the electrode and the receiving means, when the electrode is positioned in the receiving means.
5. Electrosurgical pencil according claim 1 , wherein the switching means comprises a switch and an actuator.
6. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 5 , wherein the back of the switch is facing the actuator.
7. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a sheath, which is configured to snugly fit around the main housing part wherein the thickness of the sheath is greater than 0.35 mm in the area of the switching means.
8. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the receiving means is a bushing.
9. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 8 , wherein the bushing is tapered.
10. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the electrosurgical pencil further comprises a suction channel.
11. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 10 , wherein the suction channel has a substantially triangular shape.
12. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 11 , wherein said substantially triangular shape is defined by the area ratio between a first triangle which circumscribes said substantially triangular shape and a second triangle inscribed in said substantially triangular shape, is between 1:1 and 3:1.
13. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior of the electrosurgical pencil has a substantially triangular shape in the first, second and main housing parts.
14. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 10 , wherein a radius of curvature in at least one corner of the substantially triangular shape is between 1 mm and 5 mm.
15. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible circuit comprises at least a partial gold coating for creating a contact between the electrode and the flexible circuit.
16. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the main housing part is provided with at least one indentation adapted to receive a corresponding switch.
17. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 16 , wherein any of the first, second and main housing parts are adapted to be assembled crosswise.
18. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the second housing part is provided with a guide recess for receiving a cable.
19. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is attached to the main housing part, and wherein the first housing part comprises a slit adapted to engage with the flexible circuit.
20. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the electrosurgical pencil is provided with an extension piece.
21. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 20 , wherein the extension piece is adapted to be positioned onto itself.
22. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , the electrosurgical pencil having a distal end adapted to receive the electrode and a proximal end opposite the distal end, wherein the proximal end of the electrosurgical pencil is provided with one or more barbs for attachment of a tube.
23. Electrosurgical pencil according to claim 1 , wherein the first housing part is adapted to slide inside the main housing part to provide a telescopic extension of the pencil, the electrode and the flexible printed circuit following the sliding movement.
24. A kit comprising:
an electrosurgical pencil having an electrode controllable by an electrical signal for performing surgical operations;
a distal end adapted to receive the electrode and a proximal end opposite the distal end, wherein the proximal end of the electrosurgical pencil is provided with one or more barbs for attachment of a tube;
a cable;
a housing including a main housing part; a first housing part and a second housing part,
a circuit; and
switching means adapted to be activated from outside the housing for closing the circuit,
the housing comprises receiving means for receiving the electrode,
wherein the circuit is a flexible printed circuit positioned such that it is in direct contact with the electrode, when the electrode is positioned in the receiving means.
25. The kit according to claim 24 , wherein the tube is attachable to the proximal end of the electrosurgical pencil, the cable is connected to the electrosurgical pencil and extends through the tube, and a connector is attachable at the distal end of the tube, wherein the connector is provided with a cable recess for guiding the cable out of the tube.