CN1922563A - Electrosurgical counter and locking mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrosurgical apparatus having a counter/lockout mechanism that monitors the number of sterilization/use cycles the electrosurgical apparatus undergoes and indicates the number of sterilization/use cycles that have actually been performed. The counter/lockout mechanism includes a temperature actuated element actuated in response to each sterilization cycle and a mechanically actuated element in response to a use cycle to effectuate a change of one or a plurality of indicia. The counter/lockout mechanism causes a single increment or decrement for each sterilization/use cycle that has been completed while also impeding use of the electrosurgical apparatus when the electrosurgical apparatus has undergone a predetermined number of sterilization/use cycles. In one embodiment, the distance of movement of the mechanically actuated element when fully actuated is greater than the distance the indicator moves when illustrating a change in the number of remaining uses.

Description

Electrosurgical counter and blocking mechanism

Technical field

The present invention relates to electrosurgical unit.Especially, the present invention relates to a kind of counter and interlock, this equipment uses sterilization/use round-robin number of times to indicate electrosurgical unit to live through to the user with electrosurgical unit, and in case carried out the sterilization/use circulation of pre-determined number, this apparatus for blocking uses described electrosurgical unit.

Background technology

In modern surgery, because the multiple function of Electrosurgical instrument and apparatus, electrosurgical techniques is a kind of important means.Many Electrosurgical instruments and apparatus all can utilize again.Recycling Electrosurgical instrument and apparatus through sterilization, are cleanings and nontoxic and can be used for later operation to guarantee instrument after electrosurgery.Disinfecting process is expensive, also can cause the wearing and tearing of recycling Electrosurgical instrument and apparatus.In many disinfecting process, use heat to come kill microorganisms, bacterium and other PI source that in the application subsequently of Electrosurgical instrument, may occur.As other sterilization form, the heat of using in these processes can recycling Electrosurgical instrument of loss and apparatus.Therefore, recycling instrument and apparatus must be designed to stand necessary disinfecting process.

Though with discardable Electrosurgical instrument in back and apparatus may not be to be designed to bear sterilization many times especially and to use circulation, yet before must being dropped, these instruments can stand the sterilization of limited number of times and use circulation.Thus, some Electrosurgical instruments have been considered to reuse the sterilization/use circulation of pre-determined number.A problem relevant with these limited repeated use instruments is: monitor that the sterilization of process of a specific instrument or apparatus/use round-robin number of times may be very difficult.Therefore, instrument or apparatus may just be dropped before finishing predetermined access times.Also contingently be: because doctor's carelessness, the access times of Electrosurgical instrument or apparatus may be greater than predetermined access times.

Developed various mechanism and system, be used to monitor sterilization/use round-robin number of times that Electrosurgical instrument or apparatus live through, to attempt preventing very few or to use described limited reusable Electrosurgical instrument or apparatus too much.An example system that is used to monitor sterilization/use round-robin number of times has adopted a kind of temperature-response element, and it increases or reduce the counting of counter corresponding to decontamination cycle.Yet the mode that decontamination cycle is carried out makes this temperature-responsive mechanism be coarse or be invalid fully.Reason is: disinfecting process has adopted the heating and cooling circulation, and wherein in the single disinfecting process, Electrosurgical instrument has experienced the peak value and the valley of a plurality of temperature.This can cause, and temperature-response element repeatedly activates in the single disinfecting process.Thus, in the single decontamination cycle, the counting of counter may repeatedly increase/reduce, and makes to represent sterilization/use cycle index that in fact electrosurgical unit lives through exactly.An other complicated factor is: the employed circulating continuancing time of the disinfecting process of polytype and setting is that difference is very big, makes that design is difficult for the sterilization response means that each disinfecting process activates once.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a kind of electrosurgical unit with counter, described counter is used with electrosurgical unit.The elapsed sterilization of described counter monitoring electrosurgical unit/uses round-robin number of times, and indicate the sterilization/use round-robin number of times that has in fact carried out.

Described counter can comprise indicator, this indicator is used to show the elapsed sterilization of electrosurgical unit/use round-robin number of times, in each sterilization/uses circulated, this indicator made reading increase or reduce by a temperature actuation element and mechanical actuation elements.Described temperature actuation element activated in response to each disinfecting process.Described mechanical actuation elements activated in response to each use of instrument.Realize circulating the change in count of counter for each complete sterilization/uses by serviceability temperature actuation element and mechanical actuation elements in combination, counter causes the single of indicator to reduce or increases.

Described counter also can be suitable for preventing that this electrosurgical unit is used after electrosurgical unit has been used predetermined sterilization/use cycle index.In an embodiment of the invention, described counter includes a mechanical lance (plunger), in case carried out the sterilization/use circulation of pre-determined number, described mechanical lance prevents that described apparatus is used.

By following description and appended claim, these and other advantage of the present invention and feature will become more clear, and perhaps, it can be known by invention described here is put into practice.

Description of drawings

In order to clarify above-mentioned and other advantage and feature of the present invention further, by obtaining more detailed description of the present invention with reference to specific implementations shown in the drawings.Should be appreciated that these accompanying drawings only show exemplary embodiment of the present invention, therefore, should not be considered to limitation of the present invention.By using accompanying drawing, will be concrete more with at length present invention is described and explanation, wherein:

Figure 1A is a stereographic map, and it shows a part according to the sample count device/blocking mechanism of one embodiment of the present invention, and mechanical lance shown in it is in the position that part is stretched out.

Figure 1B is the stereographic map of Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, and mechanical lance is in the position that is pressed into shown in it.

Fig. 1 C is the stereographic map of Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, and mechanical lance is in the locked position of coupler that stretches out fully shown in it.

Fig. 2 is the stereographic map of Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, shows the internals of this embodiment.

Fig. 3 A is the inside vertical view of Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, shows the counter before carrying out using circulation for the first time.

Fig. 3 B is the inside vertical view of Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, and the mechanical lance that shows counter is in the position that part is pressed into.

Fig. 3 C is the inside vertical view of Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, and the mechanical lance that shows counter is in the position that is pressed into fully.

Fig. 3 D finishes an inside vertical view that uses after circulating for Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, and the mechanical lance that counter is shown is in the position that part is stretched out.

Fig. 4 A is the inside vertical view of Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, and it is illustrated in after the decontamination cycle but position of using pawl spring before the circulation and mechanical lance in the end.

Fig. 4 B is the inside vertical view of Figure 1A illustrated embodiment, and it is illustrated in the mechanical lance that last use circulation is in the locked position of coupler that stretches out fully afterwards.

Fig. 5 is the inside vertical view according to another example embodiment of counter of the present invention.

Fig. 6 A is the partial perspective view of embodiment shown in Figure 5, and it shows the internals of this embodiment.

Fig. 6 B is the stereographic map of the broken section of the several internals of embodiment shown in Figure 5.

Fig. 7 is the inside vertical view of embodiment shown in Figure 5, and it shows and is in the mechanical lance that is pressed into the position fully.

Fig. 8 is the inside vertical view of embodiment shown in Figure 5, and it shows the internal operations (internal working) of counter in disinfecting process.

Fig. 9 is the partial sectional view of embodiment shown in Figure 5, and its mechanical lance that counter is shown is in the locked position of coupler that stretches out fully.

Figure 10 is the perspective interior view according to another example embodiment again of counter of the present invention.

Embodiment

The present invention relates to a kind of electrosurgical unit with counter.Electrosurgical counter/blocking mechanism of the present invention is designed to carry out two major functions.At first, it carries out a tally function, with the sterilization/use round-robin number of times and/or the remaining sterilization/use round-robin number of times of record electrosurgical unit elapsed sterilization/uses the round-robin number of times and experienced as user's demonstration.Secondly, in case electrosurgical unit has experienced the sterilization/use circulation of pre-determined number, then counter is carried out blocking function, thereby prevents from using described electrosurgical unit in other electrosurgical procedure arbitrarily.

According to one aspect of the present invention, counter comprises indicator, is used to be presented to lose remaining sterilization/use round-robin number of times before to electrosurgical unit.This indicator adopts temperature actuation element and mechanical actuation elements (for example mechanical lance) to increase/reduce counting.The temperature actuation element activated in response to the decontamination cycle that respectively lives through, and mechanical actuation elements activated in response to each use of carrying out circulation.By serviceability temperature actuation element and mechanical actuation elements in combination, eliminated the repeatedly increase of rolling counters forward in single sterilization/use/reduce.

According to one aspect of the present invention, actuator uses with temperature actuation element and mechanical actuation elements and increases/reduce indicator.In this embodiment, in decontamination cycle, the temperature actuation element is along the first direction movement actuator.When actuator when first direction moves, indicator does not increase or reduces.Therefore, a plurality of temperature peaks that may betide in the single disinfecting process can not cause repeatedly change in count.On the contrary, in using circulation, mechanical actuation elements is along the second direction movement actuator, causes the increase of indicator/reduce.A part of mechanical actuation elements (for example mechanical lance) is extended from electrosurgical unit.When the doctor uses this electrosurgical unit---for example insert with the electrosurgery generating is dynamo-electric by a plug portion with apparatus to engage, mechanical actuation elements is pressed into.Being pressed into of mechanical actuation elements makes actuator move and cause the increase of indicator/reduce along second direction.Actuator can not cause another time of indicator to increase/reduce, until the temperature actuation element in follow-up disinfecting process once more along the first direction movement actuator.Realize the change of indicator by serviceability temperature actuation element and mechanical actuation elements in combination, for each sterilization of finishing/use circulation, counter has realized that single ground increases/reduces.

According to another aspect of the present invention, when electrosurgical unit has experienced the sterilization/use circulation time of pre-determined number, counter stops electrosurgical unit to be used.In an embodiment of the invention, counter includes a mechanical lance, in case carried out the sterilization/use circulation of pre-determined number, this machinery lance physically stops apparatus to be used.

Referring now to accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 shows according to first embodiment of the present invention to Fig. 4 B, and Fig. 5 shows according to second embodiment of the present invention to Fig. 9, and Figure 10 shows according to the 3rd embodiment of the present invention.

As used in this, following term should have following meaning:

Term " sterilization/use circulation " should refer to the sterilization and the use of electrosurgical unit, and no matter these movable orders that take place.Though the description of the invention mode is " sterilization/use circulation ", be to be understood that teaching of the present invention is sufficiently wide, and be intended to comprise " use " that vice versa in " sterilization " situation afterwards; Crucial part is: between the continuous use of each electrosurgical unit (no matter think disinfecting process betide given use before or afterwards), counter of the present invention only increases/reduces single counting.

Term " reduces/increase " should to refer to be combined in reducing of employed counting in the counter of the present invention or increases, and finishes with indication sterilization/use round-robin.Though embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein are described as: for each sterilization/use circulation, counter " reduces ", but be to be understood that, teaching of the present invention is enough widely, and intention comprises that counter circulates and the situation of " increase " for each sterilization/use.

In addition, will use hereinafter agreement to describe the orientation of each member of counter of the present invention at this.

For Electrosurgical instrument, " far-end " is often referred to active electrode substantially, by this active electrode the patient carried out electrosurgery.Because the preferred implementation of counter of the present invention disclosed herein is placed in the plug-in unit---wherein this plug-in unit is used for electrosurgical electrode is connected to the electrosurgery generator, so, " far-end " when refer to counter and immediate that end of Electrosurgical instrument (promptly with Figure 1A inpower lead 4 immediate ends), and " near-end " is when finger counter and Electrosurgical instrument that end (end that promptly hastermination 8a-c in Figure 1A) farthest.Sometimes, constitute counter of the present invention each member towards also similarly term expression.

Referring now to being shown in the embodiment of Fig. 1 in the 4B, described accompanying drawing shows according to first embodiment of the present invention, and whereinelectrosurgical unit 1 includes counter 10.Counter 10 is arranged in the power connector ofelectrosurgical unit 1, and described power connector is configured to insert in the Electrosurgical power supply---electrosurgery generator (not shown) for example.Electrosurgical unit 1 comprises thehousing 2 that is used to protectelectrosurgical unit 1 internals, is used for electrosurgical current is transported to thepower lead 4 of Electrosurgical instrument (not shown), thetermination 8a-c that is used for thewindow 6 of the one or more indications on thesight indicator 22 and is used forelectrosurgical unit 1 is connected to the electrosurgical power supplies (not shown) from the generator (not shown).

Enter on Figure 1A now, counter is a part of electrosurgical unit 1.Counter is followed the tracks ofelectrosurgical unit 1 elapsed sterilization/use round-robin number of times, and in case stopselectrosurgical unit 1 to be used after having finished the sterilization of pre-determined number/use circulation.This will follow the tracks of as where working together the member of counter performed sterilization/use round-robin number of times, and after stop the further use of apparatus to be discussed.As what those skilled in the art understood, can adopt the mechanism of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, can usage counter mechanism and do not use blocking mechanism.In another embodiment, can use blocking mechanism and usage counter mechanism not.

In the embodiment shown, counter includesindicator 22 and mechanical lance 40.Indicator 22 comprises a plurality of marks, and described mark illustrates to be finished or also remaining sterilization/use round-robin number of times, thereby the user can determine when electrosurgical unit should be lost.In each sterilization/use circulated,indicator 22 increased/reduces and indicates the change of sterilization/use cycle index of having finished.Thus,electrosurgical unit 1 is followed the tracks of remaining sterilization/use round-robin number of times thatelectrosurgical unit 1 can carry out, and follows the tracks of sterilization/use round-robin number of times individually and need not the user.

For illustrative purposes, describe remaining accompanying drawing with reference to following counter, this counter is presented at electrosurgical unit and should be dropped remaining before access times and adopts an indicator that all reduces after each sterilization/use circulation.As those skilled in the art are known, can use the method for polytype and structure and mechanism to show when electrosurgical unit ought be dropped and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, counter can be indicated the sterilization/use round-robin number of times that has carried out and use an indicator that all increases after each sterilization/use is circulated.In another embodiment, counter can be indicated relativeness between the sterilization/use round-robin number of times finished and the sterilization/use round-robin total degree that can carry out (for example in the 1st time, 4 times in 4 times the 2nd inferior).In another embodiment, counter may not indicated sterilization/use round-robin number of times of having carried out, but at internal monitoring sterilization/use round-robin number of times.In the embodiment of example and description, adopt the locked position of coupler of mechanical lance to indicate electrosurgical unit to have been lost herein to the user.In another embodiment, can adopt a kind of mechanism that is different from indicator to indicate user's electrosurgical unit when when being lost.

As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the indicator of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, indicator reduces after once sterilizing circulation, but can again not reduce subsequently, until after carried out using and circulated and decontamination cycle.In another embodiment, indicator is indicated the residue sterilization/use cycle index that can carry out at electrosurgical unit before being dropped.In another embodiment, sterilization/use round-robin total degree that the indicator indication was carried out.

Machinery lance 40 is operated with other member ofelectrosurgical unit 1, thereby the feasible counter of using withelectrosurgical unit 1 10 can correctly be worked.For example,mechanical lance 40 is operated with other member ofcounter 10 and is reduced the mark of indicator 22.In the embodiment shown,mechanical lance 40 is betweentermination 8a and 8b, thereby when making intermination 8a-c is inserted into an electrosurgical power supplies (not shown),mechanical lance 40 will be pressed into.When making intermination 8a-c is inserted into an electrosurgical power supplies (not shown),mechanical lance 40 contact wall, socket or other surfaces, thus the power shell that makestermination 8a-c be inserted is forced intomechanical lance 40 in thehousing 2.

In the embodiment shown,mechanical lance 40 is on the position of partly stretching out.When the sterilization of pre-determined number/when use circulation did not also reach,mechanical lance 40 arrived at the part extended position.Machinerylance 40 is to be used to survey an example using the round-robin device.Being used for surveying other this device of use round-robin is known for a person skilled in the art.For example, be used for follow-up use key removable striker and have chip software, electric light source, bar chart, can be used as and survey to use the round-robin device.

As those skilled in the art understood, the Electrosurgical counter/blocking mechanism of polytype and structure can use with the electrosurgical unit of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, counter is used in the body of a surgery electroprobe or Other Instruments, rather than is used in the power connector.In another embodiment, counter is used for a part of modular electrosurgical apparatus, and this part carries out disinfection at the other parts after separating with described electrosurgical unit.In another embodiment, indicator illustrates sterilization/use round-robin number of times of having finished, and this number of times is the function of the sterilization/use cycle index of being recommended.

Figure 1B is the vertical view ofelectrosurgical unit 1, andmechanical lance 40 is in and is pressed into the position shown in it.For clarity, showntermination 8a-c is not inserted in the Electrosurgical power supply.As those skilled in the art were understandable, in a typical use was provided with, becausetermination 8a-c is inserted in socket or other the electrosurgical power supplies (not shown),mechanical lance 40 was pushed in thehousing 2 of electrosurgical unit 1.Becausemechanical lance 40 is pushed in thehousing 2 ofelectrosurgical unit 1,indicator 22 slides along the direction ofpower lead 4, makes that one or more mark ofindicator 22 is changed.The change of mark is indicated to the user: with indicated the comparing of Figure 1A, remaining access times have reduced once.

Fig. 1 C showselectrosurgical unit 1, and whereinmechanical lance 40 is in complete extended position.In the embodiment shown, the length ofmechanical lance 40 length of being stretched out from thehousing 2 ofelectrosurgical unit 1 andtermination 8a-c about equally.After the sterilization of having finished predetermined quantity/use cycle index,mechanical lance 40 moves on to the locked position of coupler that stretches out fully.Whenmechanical lance 40 moved on to the locked position of coupler that stretches out fully, it can not be pushed in thehousing 2 again.In this structure,mechanical lance 40 prevents that physicallytermination 8a-c links to each other with the power supply (not shown), thereby has stoped the further use of electrosurgical unit 1.Whenmechanical lance 40 was in the locked position of coupler that stretches out fully,window 6 makes that the user can sightindicator 22 and determine:electrosurgical unit 1 did not have remaining access times.

As those skilled in the art are known, can adopt the counter of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, the mechanical lance of blocking mechanism can stretch out from housing by two or more different overhangs.In another embodiment, lance can stretch out from housing by single overhang, its role is to reduce indicator and blocking function is provided.In another embodiment, first mechanism is reduced counter as a mechanical actuation elements, and second mechanism is used as a blocking mechanism.In other embodiment, the distance that striker stretches out from housing can be greater than or less than the length of termination.

The structure of shownindicator 22 makes the user to monitor remaining access times before should abandoning electrosurgical unit 1.By remaining access times are shown,, make it before will undergoing surgery, to replace toelectrosurgical unit 1 for the user provides enough chances.As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the counter of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, can use such counter: its obstruction or prevent that electric current from flowing to power lead from the termination.At one alternatively in the embodiment, in case finished predetermined sterilization/uses cycle index, then counter can so that modular electrosurgical apparatus member before performing the operation, can not correctly assemble.

Fig. 2 is the inside three-dimensional view ofelectrosurgical unit 1, and it shows thecounter 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.In the embodiment shown,counter 10 includesindicator assemblies 20,mechanical lance 40,bias spring 48,actuator 50,temperature actuation element 70,spring 80 andactuator engagement member 90.

Indicator assemblies 20 comprises indicator 22.In the embodiment shown,indicator 22 is indicated sterilization/use round-robin number of times remaining beforeelectrosurgical unit 1 should be dropped for theuser.Actuator 50 engages ordinatedly withindicator 22, makes the operation ofactuator 50 cause: for each sterilization of being carried out/use circulation,indicator 22 single ground reduce.

Makeactuator 50 correctly to operate by a mechanical actuation elements (being mechanical lance 40) and a temperature actuation element 70.When usingelectrosurgical unit 1,mechanical lance 40 activated at every turn.The operation oftemperature actuation element 70 and each decontamination cycle of carrying out interrelate.Machinery lance 40 causes with combining of temperature actuation element 70: for each sterilization of carrying out/use circulation,actuator 50 single actuation.In one embodiment,temperature actuation element 70 makesactuator 50 move along first and second directions withmechanical lance 40 ordinatedly.This makes thatactuator 50 canmobile indicator 22 and realize finishing the variation of one or more marks to show that sterilization/use circulates.

In the embodiment shown,mechanical lance 40 comprises pin or bar and comprises near-end 42 and far-end 44.Near-end 42 is betweentermination 8a andtermination 8b, and at extended position be pressed between the position selectively and move.The far-end 44 ofmachinery lance 40 is adjacent toactuator 50 and indicator 22 (view 3A), and is configured to engage andmobile indicator 22 with actuator 50.Being pressed intomechanical lance 40causes actuator 50 to move.In the embodiment shown, the near-end 42 ofmechanical lance 40 is in the position of stretching out.Whenmechanical lance 40 by when far-end is setovered, the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40 engages with actuator 50.This causesactuator 50 to move towards distal direction.

In the embodiment shown,temperature actuation element 70 is by marmem---for example for still being not limited to Nitinol^Whentemperature actuation element 70 is in enough following times of temperature, it is returned to initial shape and is rigidity, is not easy to bending.Thereby whenelectrosurgical unit 1 experience once sterilizing circulation time, because the hardening oftemperature actuation element 70,temperature actuation element 70 is from the configuration of the more linearly type shown in the topographical variations one-tenth of a bending.The hardening oftemperature actuation element 70 pushes awayactuator 50 direction ofpast termination 8a-c.This causesactuator 50 with respect toindicator 22 displacements.Temperature actuation element 70 is an example that is used for surveying the device of the temperature that is higher than room temperature.Can adopt the device of polytype and structure to survey the temperature that is higher than room temperature and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, can adopt such temperature actuation element: its magnetic can vary with temperature.In another embodiment, can adopt so a kind of temperature actuation element: the part that it comprises the liquid part of a response temperature fluctuation or is filled with liquid.

Biasspring 48 is holding mechanical lance 40.Biasspring 48 with 40 biasings of mechanical lance to proximal direction, thereby do not stretch out fromhousing 2 when making near-end 42 whenmechanical lance 40 with wall, socket or other surperficial contact.After the sterilization of having finished pre-determined number/use circulation,spring 80 impelsmechanical lance 40 to arrive at locked position of coupler.Activate engagement member 90 andimpel actuator 50 laterally to move, to guarantee the each actuating foractuator 50,indicator 22 single ground reduce.In addition, activateengagement member 90 andmechanical lance 40 interactions, thereby maintain the mobile route of the expectation ofmechanical lance 40, control stretching out ofmechanical lance 40 simultaneously, until the sterilization of having finished pre-determined number/use circulation.

Fig. 3 A is the inside vertical view ofelectrosurgical unit 1, its show according to the parts of thecounter 10 of one embodiment of the present invention and connect setting.In the embodiment shown, thecounter 10 that illustrates is before the use first of electrosurgical unit 1.In the illustrated embodiment,indicator assemblies 20 is shown.Indicator assemblies 20 comprisesindicator 22,guide member 29,pawl spring 30 and clamp structure 34.Indicator 22 is indicated sterilization/use round-robin number of times remaining before should abandoningelectrosurgical unit 1 to the user.

In the embodiment shown,indicator 22 comprisesmark 24,tooth 26, guide channel 27 (view 2) and latch portion 28.Mark 24 is positioned on the upper surface of indicator 22.In the embodiment shown,mark 24 includes a plurality of lines and relevant reference number.A plurality of lines and relevant reference number indication remaining access times before should abandoning electrosurgical unit 1.The position ofindicator 22 is so selected: when corresponding residue access times did not also carry out, suitably the position of mark (lines and relevant reference number) was located at and can observes part (view 1A-1C) by window 6.Along withindicator 22 leaves its near-end, also changed by the observed one or more marks of window 6 (Fig. 1).In the embodiment shown,indicator 22 reduces towards the mobile counter that makes of distal direction.

Tooth 26 interacts ordinatedly withactuator 50 and movesindicator 22 along distal direction.Select number, size and the position oftooth 26, make thatmark 24 individually reduces for the sterilization of carrying out/use circulation at every turn.In the embodiment shown,tooth 26 stretches out with respect to the distal direction ofindicator 22 bodies and promotes thatactuator 50 is displaced to farther position with respect to indicator 22.As shown in Figure 2, aguide channel 27 is positioned at the downside ofindicator 22, is used for holding guide member 29.Guide channel 27 interacts ordinatedly withguide member 29, from allowindicator 22 when indicator moves to a position far away from a nearer position smoothly and predictably mobile.

Get back to Fig. 3 A,latch portion 28 is positioned near themechanical lance 40, be in the nearly angle of indicator 22.Latch portion 28 is configured to: whenindicator 22 was shifted to its farthest position,mechanical lance 40 can activateengagement member 90 along laterally moving apart.Pawlspring 30 is fastened on the indicator 22.Pawlspring 30 is cooperated withclamp structure 34, thereby makes the accidental movement ofindicator 22 to minimize.Pawlspring 30 compriseselastic arm 31 and pawl spring soldered tooth 32.Elastic arm 31 is out of shape and makes pawl spring solderedtooth 32 to move with respect to the tooth of clamp structure 34.Pawl spring solderedtooth 32 is configured to be arranged on respectively organizing between the tooth or engaging one or more teeth ofclamp structure 34 or between the adjacent teeth ofclamp structure 34 ofclamp structure 34, thereby makes that the accidental movement ofindicator 22 is minimized.Whenactuator 50 made thatindicator 22 moves, the flexibility ofelastic arm 31 was enough to allow pawl spring solderedtooth 32 to move apartclamp structure 34 along the direction of indicator 22.This makes pawl spring solderedtooth 32 can remove, cross the tooth far away first group of tooth from the position between first group of tooth and enter between second group of tooth.In the embodiment shown, pawl spring solderedtooth 32 is between first group of tooth.This be because:electrosurgical unit 1 does not also live through and uses for the first time circulation, andmechanical lance 40 does not also use in the circulation for the first time and is not pressed into.

As those skilled in the art understand, can use the indicator of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, indicator comprises seven-segment display, and described indicator is illustrated in and should abandons electrosurgical unit remaining access times before.In another embodiment, indicator includes a ring-type element.In another embodiment, indicator is a gear drive.In another embodiment, indicator comprises digital indicator.

Continue with reference to figure 3A,actuator 50 engagesindicator 22 ordinatedly and causesindicator 22 to move backward.In the embodiment shown,actuator 50 includesprojection 52,cam path 56, indicator solderedtooth 60 andgroove 64, showsgroove 64 in Fig. 2 in more detail.As shown in Figure 3A,projection 52 interacts withactuating engagement member 90 and impelsactuator 50 pivotingactions.Cam path 56 interacts withpin 58 and causes actuator 50 to move backward, makes also that simultaneously actuator 50 can the motion pivotally in response to being pressed into of mechanical lance 40.The pivoting action ofactuator 50 makesactuator 50 thatindicator 22 is moved single decrease, and irrelevant with the difference in the displacement of the displacement of single sterilization/use circulation backpointer 22 andmechanical lance 40.

During the initial reverse ofactuator 50, indicator solderedtooth 60 engages with thetooth 26 of indicator 22.Duringpower lead 4 motion, along with the nearly portion ofactuator 50 begins horizontal pivot, indicator solderedtooth 60 breaks away from thetooth 26 ofindicators 22 at actuator 50.In case indicator solderedtooth 60 breaks away from thetooth 26 ofindicator 22,indicator 22 further moves backward and stops.

In the embodiment shown, theprojection 52 of first end, the 82 contact activateddevices 50 ofspring 80 and remain on the position of expectation by the supportingconstruction 88 that is formed in the housing 2.Whenmechanical lance 40 was not betweenactuator 50 andindicator 22,first end 82 ofspring 80 toindicator 22, activatedprojection 52 biasings near theengagement member 90 therebyprojection 52 is placed.Actuator 50 comprises groove 64 (also seeingview 2).The near-end 72 ofgroove 64 ccontaining temperature actuation elements 70.By makingtemperature actuation element 70 to locate simply and effectively with respect toactuator 50,groove 64 helps the assembling of locking/counter mechanism 10.The structure ofgroove 64 andtemperature actuation element 70 makesactuator 50 motion as required in response to decontamination cycle, too accurately makes or assembles and need not counter 10 parts.

Describe very much the operation ofactuator 50 in detail with reference to Fig. 3 B-4B.Fig. 3 B is the inside vertical view ofelectrosurgical unit 1, and it illustrates the motion that actuator 50 is pressed in response to the part of mechanical lance 40.In the embodiment shown, the near-end 52 ofmechanical lance 40 has moved towards distal direction, but it moves the inside that whole length that degree do not makemechanical lance 40 all is positioned at housing 2.When being setovered towards the distally along withmechanical lance 40, the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40 engages with actuator 50.This causesactuator 50 to move towards distal direction.Along withactuator 50 moves towards distal direction, indicator solderedtooth 60 engages with atooth 26 of indicator 22.When actuator 50 engaged with indicator solderedtooth 60, along withactuator 50 distad moves,indicator 22 moved along distal direction.Whenindicator 22 along distal direction move past one predetermined apart from the time, realized the change of mark.The user that changes into of mark is illustrated in remaining access times after the sterilization finished/use circulation.In the embodiment shown, along with moving of at first 0.06 inch ofactuator 50, the change of mark and pawl spring solderedtooth 32 move.

Be pressed further into along withmechanical lance 40 in the housing of electrosurgical unit 1 (moving to the position of Fig. 3 C from the position of Fig. 3 B),actuator 50 pivots and leavesindicator 22, prevents thatindicator 22 from further moving backward.In Fig. 3 B, thetooth 26 that the nearly portion ofactuator 50 begins to pivot and leaves indicator 22.Yet actuator solderedtooth 60 does not also separate with tooth 26.The structure ofprojection 52 andactuator engagement member 90 is convenient toactuator 50 and is left fromindicator 22 pivots.Beforemechanical lance 40 was pressed into,projection 52 was arranged in thegroove 92 ofactuator engagement member 90, as shown in Figure 3A.When 40 beginnings of mechanical lance along shown in Fig. 3 B backward duringmovement actuator 50, the horizontaltranslational surface 94 of the horizontaltranslational surface 54 contact activateddevice engagement members 90 of projection 52.Laterallytranslational surface 54 causesprojection 52 to begin pivot with the horizontal interaction between thetranslational surface 94 leavingindicator 22.

Incase projection 52 begins to pivot, far-end 44 beginnings ofmechanical lance 40 contact with the inclined-plane 62 of indicator soldered tooth 60.When the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40 by when distal direction promotes, 62 the length slip ofmechanical lance 40 along the inclined-plane.This causesprojection 52 to pivot further and laterally moves apart indicator 22.Laterally moving ofprojection 52 also causes laterally moving of indicator soldered tooth 60.Cam path 56 makesactuator 50 to move pivotally with the structure ofpin 58, and this pivoting action is owing to following factors becomes easy: (a) the laterally interaction between thetranslational surface 54 and 94; And (b) interaction between the inclined-plane 62 of the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40 and indicator solderedtooth 60.

Whenmechanical lance 40 repeatedly partly was pressed into, the structure of thetooth 26 ofindicator 22 and indicator solderedtooth 60 prevented that with respect to the set-up mode oftooth 26 more than 22 ground of indicator from reducing.Whenmechanical lance 40 is pressed into fully and causesindicator 22 to reduce, in that being pressed into,mechanical lance 40 follow-up can cause needing activationtemperature actuation element 70 beforeindicator 22 reduces further.Thus, the user can repeatedly insert or extracttermination 8a-c, perhaps is pressed intomechanical lance 40 and can cause reducing ofindicator 22.

Fig. 3 C is the inside vertical view ofelectrosurgical unit 1, and whereinmechanical lance 40 fully is pressed in the housing 2.The pivot ofactuator 50 causes indicator solderedtooth 60 to break away from thetooth 26 of indicator 22.The further reverse ofactuator 50 and/ormechanical lance 40 can not makeindicator 22 move further, because the tooth of indicator solderedtooth 60 andindicator 22 is what to separate.The far-end 44 ofmachinery lance 40 keeps separating between mobile between indicator solderedtooth 60 and thetooth 26 makesactuator 50 andindicator 22.

The pivoting action ofactuator 50 makes: no matter the displacement of the displacement ofmechanical lance 40 andindicator 22 how, actuator 50 can makeindicator 22 reduce single position.In one embodiment, in each actuating ofmechanical lance 40,mechanical lance 40 is pressed into roughly 0.25 inch.In one embodiment, in each actuating ofmechanical lance 40,indicator 22 only moves 0.060 inch.As those skilled in the art understand, can change the amount of movement of mechanical lance with respect to the amount of movement of indicator and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.In one embodiment, indicator is removable 0.01 inch to 0.75 inch.In another embodiment, indicator is removable 0.02 inch to 0.125 inch.In another embodiment, the distance that lance moved is greater than distance that indicator moved.In another embodiment, the distance that moves of lance and indicator depends on the size of the housing of electrosurgery blocking mechanism and ccontaining this electrosurgery blocking mechanism at least in part.In addition, the actuator of polytype and structure be can adopt and category of the present invention and spirit can not departed from.

When actuator 50 along far when mobile, masterpiece is used on thetemperature actuation element 70, increases the curvature of temperature actuation element 70.Whentemperature actuation element 70 did not cause the rigidity oftemperature actuation element 70 to increase because of being heated, the curvature oftemperature actuation element 70 increased.Thus,temperature actuation element 70 provides minimum resistance, makes the far-end 74 oftemperature actuation element 70 more near the near-end 72 (Fig. 2) of temperature actuation element 70.Because the position oftemperature actuation element 70 far-ends 74 keeps byseat 76, so the near-end 72 oftemperature actuation element 70 will move towards the direction of far-end 74.

Incase actuator 50 breaks away fromindicator 22, extracting and inserting subsequently of termination will can not cause moving ofindicator 22 in the socket.Reason be because: indicator solderedtooth 60 no longer contacts with indicator 22.Machinery lance 40 can not causeactuator 50 to move towardsindicator 22 directions along moving oftermination 8a-c direction, can not causeindicator 22 to be engaged by indicator solderedtooth 60 yet.Thus, the user can repeatedly extract and insert the termination and can not reduce indicator 22.Whenmechanical lance 40 was pressed into,flange 46 caused the compression ofbias spring 48 near bias spring contact member 96.The compression ofbias spring 48 causes a bias force to act on theflange 46, and the direction of this power deviates from biasspring contact member 96, as long aselectrosurgical unit 1 is pulled up from the electrosurgical power supplies (not shown), this power will forcemechanical lance 40 to be returned to its extended position.

Along with sterilization/use round-robin repeatedly carries out,indicator 22 will move step by step along the direction of power lead 4.Along with the direction ofindicator 22 alongpower lead 4 moves further, one ormore marks 24 show, for the user indicates remaining sterilization/use round-robin number of times.As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the blocking mechanism of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.

As indicated above, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1-4B,indicator 22 comprisespawl spring 30, and thispawl spring 30 makesindicator 22 as one manreduce.Pawl spring 30 comprisesflexible arm 31, contacting between the pawl spring solderedtooth 32 that thisarm 31 keeps pawl springs 30 and the tooth of clamp structure 34.In Fig. 3 B, pawl spring solderedtooth 32 is between one group of tooth, and this group tooth is immediately following after 32 residing those group teeth of pawl spring soldered tooth in Fig. 3 A.Reason be because:electrosurgical unit 1 has experienced for the first time and to have used circulation, and this circulation causesindicator 22 to move.

As mentioned above,pawl spring 30 compriseselastic arm 31, and this elastic arm keeps contacting between the tooth of pawl spring solderedtooth 32 and clamp structure 34.Along withindicator 22 reduces, the power that acts on theindicator 22 byactuator 50 causes moving of pawl spring soldered tooth 32.Engaging between pawl spring solderedtooth 32 and theclamp structure 34 prevents moving ofindicator 22, until the power that onindicator 22, act on bylance 40 andactuator 50 above a threshold value.This makes when never the being pressed intolance 40wittingly indicator 22 non-possibility minimums that desirably move.Lance 40 had a mind to that to be pressed into---for example when being inserted intotermination 8a-c in the electrosurgical power supplies (not shown) produce---sufficiently big and exceeded mobile pawl spring solderedtooth 32 and make it to break away from the position that is between 34 first groups of teeth of clamp structure, cross a tooth in this group tooth and enter the threshold value of the required power in the position between second group of tooth everywhere.In addition, the structure of the tooth ofclamp structure 34 prevents pawl spring solderedtooth 32 towards proximad moving, and allow pawl spring solderedtooth 32 towards far to move.

By the distance that makes that pawl spring solderedtooth 32 is advanced and limited betweenmechanical lance 40 is pressed into for twice,pawl spring 30, pawl spring solderedtooth 32 andclamp structure 34 also make indicator keep correctly reducing.As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the mechanism of polytype and structure to make the non-desired motion of indicator minimize and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.

Turn to Fig. 3 D, its show afterelectrosurgical unit 1 uses but before the decontamination cycle subsequently when the partly operation ofactuator 50 whenhousing 2 stretches out of mechanical lance 40.Fig. 3 D shows: when the position of movingelectrosurgical unit 1 internal part when indicating electrosurgical unit to be used a time to the user fully ofindicator 22.

As shown in the figure,spring 80adjacent actuator 50 andmechanical lance 40 are providedwith.Spring 80 is configured to keep the parts ofcounter 10 correctly to work.First end 82 ofspring 80 contacts with theprojection 52 of actuator 50.Whenmechanical lance 40 no longer was between thetooth 26 of indicator solderedtooth 60 andindicator 22,spring 80 was with the direction biasing towardsindicator 22 of theprojection 52 of actuator 50.In one embodiment, the biasing to actuator 50 can impel indicator solderedtooth 60 to engage with thetooth 26 of indicator 22.In another embodiment, need activationtemperature actuation element 70 to make indicator solderedtooth 60 engage with thetooth 26 ofindicator 22.

Whenindicator 22 was not in the displacement of distal direction maximum,indicator 22 contacted at least one part ofmechanical lance 40 at adjacentdistal end 44 places, and provided cross-brace along this part one side, forsecond end 84 ofspring 80 provides a reacting force.Second end 84 ofspring 80 and the reacting force ofindicator 22 are controlled laterally moving of mechanical lance 40.In the embodiment shown, the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40 slightly is thicker than the other parts of mechanical lance 40.The section thickness of far-end 44 is so selected: far-end 44 is wideer thantooth 26 and the gap that activates between theengagement member 90, makes the inside surface that activates engagement member 90 (promptly facing to that surface of the lance 40) prevent that the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40 from crossing and activatesengagement member 90.

Turn to Fig. 4 A, it showselectrosurgical unit 1 after activationtemperature actuation element 70 but the inside vertical view after a series of sterilizations/use circulation.When activateding,temperature actuation element 70 is returned toactuator 50 on the such position: wherein indicator solderedtooth 60 engages with thetooth 26 ofindicator 22 once more.To the actuating oftemperature actuation element 70 beindicator 22 reduce get ready.In the embodiment shown,temperature actuation element 70 engages withactuator 50, makes activateding backtemperature actuation element 70 maintenance nonlinear type configurations.By keeping the nonlinear type configuration, when needs were pressed intomechanical lance 40,temperature actuation element 70 stoped the bulged-in possibility ofmechanical lance 40 to reduce.

In Fig. 4 A,temperature actuation element 70 comprises marmem---such as but not limited to Nitinil^Whentemperature actuation element 70 is subjected to enough temperature, its be returned to initial shape and be rigidity and be not easy to bending.Thereby whenelectrosurgical unit 1 experience once sterilizing circulation, thentemperature actuation element 70 is transformed into a more linear configuration from a bent position (Fig. 3 C), shown in Fig. 4 A.The more linear configuration oftemperature actuation element 70 is caused by firmization of temperature actuation element 70.Firmization oftemperature actuation element 70 promotesactuator 50 along the direction oftermination 8a-c, contacts until the far-end ofpin 58 with cam path 56.This causesactuator 50 with respect toindicator 22 displacements.

With reference to Fig. 2 and 4A,temperature actuation element 70 is arranged in aseat 76, and describedseat 76 is formed in thehousing 2 of electrosurgical unit 1.The far-end 74 oftemperature actuation element 70 engages withseat 76 and the far-end 74 that preventstemperature actuation element 70 moves along the direction of power lead 4.The near-end 72 oftemperature actuation element 70 engages atgroove 64 places withactuator 50, and this groove (can see best in Fig. 2) is formed in the sidepiece ofactuator 50.

Whentemperature actuation element 70 is heated to a predetermined temperature (for example in disinfecting process), the rigidity oftemperature actuation element 70 increases, intensity increases and flexibility reduces.Firmization oftemperature actuation element 70 reduced the curvature of temperature actuation element 70.Whentemperature actuation element 70 was subjected to enough heating, its configuration from general curved (Fig. 3 C) was transformed into the more configuration of linear pattern and rigidity, caused near-end 72 to promoteactuator 50 along the direction oftermination 8a-c, shown in Fig. 4 A.

In Fig. 4 A,temperature actuation element 70 provides one to promote and movement actuator 50.By utilizing this to promote,temperature actuation element 70 has reduced the manufacturing cost and the complexity ofcounter 10, has improved the fiduciary level of system simultaneously.Reason is: firmization oftemperature actuation element 70 moved actuator 50 effectively and do not needed accurately to make size, thickness and the length of temperature actuation element 70.This has reduced the design and the manufacturing cost of temperature actuation element 70.In addition,temperature actuation element 70 does not need to be coupled to integratedly other parts ofcounter 10 to remain on needed tolerance in the pull-up activated apparatus.On the contrary, at assembly process,temperature actuation element 70 can be easily positioned inseat 76 and the groove 64 (view 2), has greatly reduced assembling complexity, expense and the degree of difficulty of counter 10.As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the actuation element of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.In one embodiment, the temperature actuation element is configured to provide a pulling force, thereby causes the correct actuating of indicator.

Continue with reference to figure 4A, because the structure of the indicator solderedtooth 60 of thetooth 26 ofindicator 22 andactuator 50, actuator can't cause moving ofindicator 22 towards moving oftermination 8a-c direction.In addition, the repetition heating and cooling oftemperature actuation element 70 can not cause repeatedly reducing of counter, because moving ofindicator 22 only takes place in response to being pressed into of mechanical lance 40.Thus,actuator 50 can not cause the change of one ormore marks 24, has experienced decontamination cycle and along adirection movement actuator 50 and the use thatmechanical lance 40 has experienced to be indicated by being pressed into of lance circulation and along oppositedirection movement actuator 50 untiltemperature actuation element 70.

Fig. 4 B is the inside vertical view ofelectrosurgical unit 1, and it shows the position of theelectrosurgical unit 1 different internal parts after decontamination cycle, and this electrosurgical unit has exceeded the sterilization number of times of being recommended.As shown in the figure,spring 80 andindicator 22 are fastened onmechanical lance 40 on the position of stretching out ordinatedly.In the embodiment shown,indicator 22 has been finished its last reducing, and no longer contacts with the far-end 44 of mechanical lance 40.Whenindicator 22 no longer contacted with the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40, it no longer provided cross-brace and no longer provides a reacting force to stopsecond end 84 ofspring 80 forsecond end 84 of spring 80.Thus,second end 84 ofspring 80 contacts the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40 and it is biased into thelatch portion 28 of indicator 22.This makes far-end 44 crossactuating engagement member 90, and allowsmechanical lance 40 to move to a locked position of coupler that stretches out fully, shown in Fig. 4 B.

Machinery lance 40 is moved to the position of stretching out fully by bias spring 48.Beforebias spring 48 moved to the position of stretching out fully withmechanical lance 40,bias spring 48 was compressed betweenflange 46 and the bias spring contact member 96.Flange 46 can not be coupled tomechanical lance 40 movably.Bias spring element 96 is coupled to the bottom ofhousing 2 integratedly.

In the time ofnear latch portion 28 is positioned at actuatingengagement member 90,second end 84 ofspring 80 is along the far-end 44 of lateral offset machinery lance 40.This provides the extra distance that activates betweenengagement member 90 and theindicator 22, thereby the distance between feasibleactuating engagement member 90 and theindicator 22 is greater than the width ofmechanical lance 40 far-ends 44.Thus, activatingengagement member 90 no longer contacts with the far-end 44 ofmechanical lance 40 in the mode that the reacting force ofbias spring 48 onflange 46 is provided.When not existing, causemechanical lance 40 mobile towards proximad bybias spring 48 the power on theflange 46 of acting on because of when activatingengagement member 90 reacting force that provides be provided.In an embodiment of the invention, bias spring contact member and actuating engagement member and lower part of frame form.In optional embodiment, bias spring contact member and actuating engagement member can not be fixed on one or more parts ofhousing 2 movably.

In the embodiment shown, when flange 46 contacted with the inside surface ofhousing 2, proximad moving ofmechanical lance 40 stopped.When flange 46 contacted with the inside surface ofhousing 2,mechanical lance 40 fully stretched out from housing 2.Second end 84 ofspring 80 contacts withindicator 22 andmechanical lance 40 is fastened in the position of stretchingout.Indicator 22 be in its maximum far on the shift position, and contact with backstop 25.Backstop 25 is formed by the bottom of housing 2.Backstop 25 prevents thatindicator 22 is back further to displacement.

The far-end 44 ofindicator 22,second end 84 andmechanical lance 40 prevents thatmechanical lance 40 is pressed into.Shown in the position on,mechanical lance 40 is shifted from housing the biglyyest.By preventing thatmechanical lance 40 is pressed into, prevented engaging oftermination 8a-c and power supply (not shown).Thus, in case finished after the sterilization/use circulation of pre-determined number, counter 10 stops the user to use electrosurgical unit 1.In the embodiment shown, pawlspring Contact Tooth 32 is between last group tooth of clamp structure 34.This be because:electrosurgical unit 1 has experienced the sterilization of pre-determined number/uses and has circulated, andindicator 22 is positioned on its shift position farthest.

As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the blocking mechanism of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention with spirit.For example, in one embodiment, blocking mechanism adopts the lateral offset mechanism that comprises the sheet spring.In another embodiment, blocking mechanism adopts the lateral offset mechanism that does not comprise the sheet spring.In another embodiment, blocking mechanism does not adopt lateral offset mechanism.In another embodiment, blocking mechanism does not comprise latch portion.

Fig. 5 is the interior views ofelectrosurgical unit 100, and it illustrates thecounter 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention.In order to help to explain the structure and the function ofelectrosurgical unit 100 sum counters/blocking mechanism 110, in Fig. 5-9, never illustrate frompower lead 104 up to the electric wire oftermination 108a-c or other the equipment that is electrically connected.

In the embodiment shown,counter 110 comprisesindicator 122,actuator 150,temperature actuation element 170 and mechanical lance 140.Temperature actuation element 170 andmechanical lance 140make actuator 150 move along first and second directions ordinatedly.This makes thatactuator 150 canmobile indicator 122 and realize finishing the change of one or more marks thereby sterilization/use circulation is shown.

In the embodiment shown,temperature actuation element 170 is marmems---for example, still be not limited to Nitinol^Whentemperature actuation element 170 is in enough following times of temperature, it is returned to initial shape and is rigidity, is not easy to bending.Thereby whenelectrosurgical unit 100 experience once sterilizing circulation times, because 170 hardening of temperature actuation element,temperature actuation element 170 is varied to the more linearly configuration of type (as shown in Figure 8) from the bending position shown in.The hardening oftemperature actuation element 170 pushes away actuator 150 direction ofpast termination 108a-c.This causes actuator 150 with respect toindicator 122 displacements.

Temperature actuation element 170 is an example that is used for surveying the device of the temperature that is higher than room temperature.The device that is used for surveying the temperature that is higher than room temperature of polytype and structure can be adopted and category of the present invention and spirit can be do not departed from.For example, in one embodiment, can adopt a such temperature actuation element: its magnetic can vary with temperature.In another embodiment, can adopt so a kind of temperature actuation element: the part that it comprises the liquid part of a response temperature fluctuation or is filled with liquid.

After decontamination cycle, when the user is intended to useelectrosurgical unit 100---for example bytermination 108a-c being inserted into electrosurgery outlet (not shown), the near-end ofmechanical lance 140 will be touched and be pushed into the inside ofhousing 102.Actuator 150 is around themechanical lance 140 of a part.The part thatmachinery lance 140 is positioned atactuator 150 inside engages with the inside surface of actuator 150.Thus, whenmechanical lance 140 when the direction ofpower lead 104 moves,actuator 150 moves along the direction of power lead 104.In other words, whenmechanical lance 140 was forced in thehousing 102,actuator 150 was pushed to the direction of power lead 104.When actuator 150 was pushed to the direction ofpower lead 104, the surface that actuator 150 engages with the complementary surface ofindicator 122 causedindicator 122 to move along the direction of power lead 104.Indicator 122 mobile makes the position change of mark, thereby indication sterilization/use circulates and finishes.This also causeselectrosurgical unit 100 remaining access times to reduce.

When external force no longer acted on the near-end ofmechanical lance 140, bias spring can be so thatmechanical lance 140 stretches out from housing 2.This causes the near-end ofmechanical lance 140 to stretch out from housing 2.Yetactuator 150 does not move towardstermination 108a-c direction, activated in response to decontamination cycle until temperature actuation element 170.Thus, further being pressed into ofmechanical lance 140 can not causeactuator 150 andindicator 122 to move, until having carried out decontamination cyclesubsequently.Machinery lance 140 is one and surveys an example using the round-robin device.For those skilled in the art, other sniffer is known.For example being used for the removable striker of key of follow-up use and the software, electric light source, the bar chart that have a chip can be used as to survey and uses the round-robin device.

Fig. 6 A and 6B are the partial sectional view ofelectrosurgical unit 100, and it illustrates the parts of Electrosurgical counter/blocking mechanism 110 and a kind of connecting mode (view 6B) oftemperature actuation element 170 and mechanical actuation elements (being mechanical lance 140) and actuator 170.In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6 A,temperature actuation element 170 be arranged in the seat 176---this is formed at thehousing 102 of electrosurgical unit 100.The far-end 174 oftemperature actuation element 170 engages with seat 176 and prevents thattemperature actuation element 170 from moving along the direction of power lead 104.The near-end 172 oftemperature actuation element 170 engages (not shown) withactuator 150.

When the temperature oftemperature actuation element 170 raises (for example in disinfecting process),temperature actuation element 170 rigidity and intensity increase, and the flexibility oftemperature actuation element 170 reduces.Firmization oftemperature actuation element 170 reduced the curvature of temperature actuation element 170.Whentemperature actuation element 170 was sufficiently heated, its configuration from general curved changed over the more configuration of linear pattern and rigidity, and wherein near-end 172 promotesactuator 150 towards the direction oftermination 108a-c.

Push movingly by utilization,temperature actuation element 170 has reduced the manufacturing expense and the complexity ofblocking mechanism 110, has improved the reliability of system simultaneously.This be because: firmization oftemperature actuation element 170 moved actuator 150 effectively and do not needed accurately to make size, thickness and the length of temperature actuation element.This has reduced the design and the manufacturing cost of temperature actuation element 170.In addition,temperature actuation element 170 other parts of not needing to be coupled to counter 110 integratedly keep needed tolerance in the pull-up activated apparatus.On the contrary,temperature actuation element 170 can be provided with in present 176, has greatly reduced assembling complexity, expense and the degree of difficulty ofcounter 110.

In the embodiment shown, the near-end 142 oflance 140 is positioned at outside thehousing 102 of electrosurgical unit 100.The far-end 144 oflance 140 is suitable for being positioned at the inside (view 6B) of actuator 150.The far-end 144 ofmachinery lance 140 engages withactuator 150, thereby causesactuator 150 to move whenmechanical lance 140 is pressed into.The engagement ridge 145 (view 6B) ofmachinery lance 140 engages with engagement member 190, and this engagement member 190 is coupled to thehousing 102 of electrosurgery 100.Engagement member 190 prevents thatengagement ridge 145 from moving and crosses a given position on the direction oftermination 108a-c.Thus, the near-end 142 ofmechanical lance 140 can not be crossed a given position along moving oftermination 108a-c direction.

Bias spring 148 is around the part oflance 140, thereby between theflange 146 and engagement member 190 of lance 140.Bias spring 148 provides a bias force alongtermination 108a-c direction, the near-end 142 ofmechanical lance 140 is not released outside thehousings 102 when being pressed into contacting of wall outlet, socket or other barrier at mechanical lance 140.Whenmechanical lance 140 was pressed into, far-end 144 moved towards the direction of power lead 104.Far-end 144 interacts (view 6B) with the inside surface ofactuator 150, thereby towards thedirection movement actuator 150 of power lead 104.As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the mechanical lance of polytype and structure and do not depart from category of the present invention with spirit.For example, in one embodiment, mechanical lance can keep being pressed into there not being external pressure to do the time spent.

For operation easy and that more be shown clearly in the counter parts, several parts that Fig. 6 B illustratesactuator 150 and counter separate.In the embodiment shown,actuator 150 comprisesbody 152,conduit 154 and tooth 156.Body 152 keeps the rigidity and the structure ofactuator 150, and provides enough intensity to come mobile indicator 122 (when being engaged by temperature actuation element 170 (referring to view 6A)) and mechanical lance 140.Conduit 154 is limited and is suitable for the far-end 144 of ccontainingmechanical lance 140 by body 152.This maintained actuator 150 towards, make laterally moving ofmechanical lance 140 far-ends 144 minimizesimultaneously.Tooth 156 is formed in thebody 152 of actuator 150.Thetooth 156 ofactuator 150 engages with thetooth 126 of indicator 122.When actuator 150 was mobile backwards, the structure oftooth 156 andtooth 126 madeindicator 122 backwards to moving.When actuator 150 when forward direction moves, the structure oftooth 156 andtooth 126 can not make that indicator moves.

Get back to Fig. 6 A,indicator assemblies 120 includesindicator 122 and guide member 129.Indicator 122 is suitable for moving with respect to other parts ofelectrosurgical unit 100, is used to refer to sterilization/use round-robin number of times of having finished andchanges.Guide member 129 engagesindicator 122 ordinatedly, so that laterally moving ofindicator 122 minimizes and guarantee thatindicator 122 steadily and effectively slides in response to moving of actuator 150.In the embodiment shown,guide member 129 comprises the sliding part that the height that is positioned at conduit rises, and this channel shaped is formed in the bottom ofindicator 122.

As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the guide member of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.In one embodiment, guide member includes a plurality of non-desirably tooth (not shown)s of motion of indicator that prevent.In another embodiment, anti-skidding material (not shown) is arranged between the bottom surface of the top of guide member and indicator, move with the non-expectation that prevents indicator.In another embodiment, guide member includes a surface, produces enough rubbing contact between this surface and the indicator, thus the non-expectation that prevents indicator move, promptly any is not with respect to moving of actuator and moving of causing by mechanical lance.

Tooth 126 is formed in the indicator 122.Tooth 126 engages with thetooth 156 of actuator 150.In the embodiment shown,tooth 126 makes with the structure of tooth 156: when actuator 150 whentermination 108a-c direction moves,actuator 150 is with respect toindicator 122 displacements, andindicator 122 does not move.When actuator 150 whenpower lead 104 directions move, in response to being pressed into ofmechanical lance 140, thetooth 156 ofactuator 150 engages with thetooth 126 ofindicator assemblies 120, and movesindicator 122 towards the direction ofpower lead 104.

In one embodiment, towards the needed power of termination direction movement actuator much smaller than along power lead direction movement actuator and the needed power of indicator.In another embodiment, the power of movement actuator of being used for that is provided by the temperature actuation element is used for the power of movement actuator and indicator much smaller than mechanical actuation elements provided.In the embodiment shown,mechanical lance 140 applies a power on actuator 150.Then, actuator 150 engagesactuator 122 and transmitmovement actuator 122 neededpower.Actuator 150 is described in more detail andindicator 122 moves in response to sterilization/use round-robin with reference to Fig. 7 and 8.

Indicator 122 further comprises latch portion 128.Latch portion 128 comprises a space, and this space is suitable forccontaining actuator 150 whenindicator 122 moves nearpower lead 104 places.The mobile ofactuator 150 makesmechanical lance 140 to shift to most proximal end with respect totermination 108a-c, and the far-end 144 oflatch portion 128,actuator 150 andlance 140 and connect the far-end 144 that setting (juxtaposition) preventsmechanical lance 140 and shift topower lead 104.

Fig. 7 illustrates the interior views ofelectrosurgical unit 100, and it showsindicator 122 and moves moving of being carried out in response tomechanical lance 140---when the position ofindicator 122 among comparison diagram 5 and Fig. 7.In Fig. 7,mechanical lance 140 is pressed into, thereby makes the whole length ofmechanical lance 140 all be positioned at the inside of housing 102.As indicated above, the far-end 144 of mechanical lance 140 (view 6B) engages actuator 150.This causes actuator 150 to move along the direction of power lead 104.When actuator 150 when the direction ofpower lead 104 moves, thetooth 156 ofactuator 150 engages thetooth 126 of indicators 122.This causesindicator 122 to move along the direction of power lead 104.Whenindicator 122 when the direction ofpower lead 104 moves, mark has changed, and finishes remaining access times after once sterilizing/use circulation for the user is presented at.In addition, whenactuator 150 when the direction ofpower lead 104 moves,temperature actuation element 170 is returned to such structure: under the effect that is being applied to power on theactuator 150 or influence bymechanical lance 140, the temperature actuation element has curvature largely.Whentemperature actuation element 170 does not bear the temperature of the rigidity increase that causestemperature actuation element 170, the described curvature largely thattemperature actuation element 170 can have.Thus,temperature actuation element 170 provides minimum resistance, make near-end 172 can more close joint far-ends 174 in present 176.

Whenmechanical lance 140 was pressed into,flange 146 shifted near engagement member 190, caused the further compression of bias spring 148.Being compressed in ofbias spring 148 applied a power on theflange 146, in case make that near-end 142 will stretch out from thehousing 102 ofelectrosurgical unit 100 when interaction force no longer was applied on the near-end 142 of mechanical lance 140.In case whenactuator 150 is in present position,termination 108a-c extracted and insert subsequently will can not causes the extra ofactuator 150 to be moved in the socket.This be because:lance 140 far-ends are engaged in theactuator 150slidably.Machinery lance 140 can not cause actuator 150 moving alongtermination 108a-c direction along moving oftermination 108a-c.Thus, the user can repeatedly insert and extracttermination 108a-c and can not make thatindicator 122 reduces.

Fig. 8 illustrateselectrosurgical unit 110 and is in the decontamination cycle.In the embodiment shown,temperature actuation element 170 changes to more linear configuration from bent configuration shown in Figure 7.More linear configuration is the structure that rigidity increases, and the reason that this rigidity increases is the temperature variation during decontamination cycle.The rigidity that is increased provides a such pulling strengrth: it has exceeded the pulling strengrth whentemperature actuation element 170 does not bear high temperature.When being in more linear configuration, the near-end 172 oftemperature actuation element 170 promotesactuator 150 alongtermination 108a-c direction.

Because the structure of thetooth 126 ofindicator 122 and the tooth ofactuator 150,actuator 150 does not cause moving ofindicator 122 along moving oftermination 108a-c direction.In addition, owing toindicator 122 only moves in response to being pressed into ofmechanical lance 140, sotemperature actuation element 170 repeat heat up and cool off the repeatedly increase that can not cause counter and/or reduce.Thus,actuator 150 can not cause the change of mark, has experienced once sterilizing circulation and has experienced one along adirection movement actuator 150 andmechanical lance 140 and used circulation and along oppositedirection movement actuator 150 untiltemperature actuation element 170.

Along with having carried out repeatedly sterilization/use circulation,indicator 122 will progressively move along 104 direction.Whenindicator 122 further when 104 direction moves, demonstrate different marks, indicate the change of the remaining access times ofelectrosurgical unit 100 for the user.As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt thecounter 110 of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example in one embodiment, temperature actuation element movement actuator and indicator, and mechanical lance makes actuator move with respect to indicator.In another embodiment, temperature actuation element and lance both or one of directly do not link to each other but movement actuator indirectly with actuator.In another embodiment, temperature actuation element and lance do not use actuator just to make mark change.In another embodiment, actuator spurs indicator and makes indicator move.

Fig. 9 shows Electrosurgical counter/blocking mechanism 110, and whereinindicator 122 moves to the mostclose power lead 104 places, andmechanical lance 140 is in locked position ofcoupler.In case indicator 122 moves to the mostclose power lead 104 places,latch portion 128 is positioned near the actuator 150.Sheet spring 180 applies a transverse force alongindicator 122 directions on actuator 150.Indicator 122 is positioned at the position of the mostclose power lead 104, makes thatlatch portion 128 can ccontaining actuator 150.This causes actuator 150 transverse shifts in thelatch portion 128 ofindicator 122.

The far-end 144 ofmachinery lance 140 is positioned at the conduit 154 (view 6B) of actuator 150.Actuator 150 transverse shifts cause the direction transverse shift of the far-end 144 ofmechanical lance 140 alongindicator 122 in latch portion 128.The transverse shift of far-end 144 causesengagement ridge 145 to be disengaged member 190 (view 6B).Thus, thus engagement member 190 can not offset again bybias spring 148 and be applied to the power that is applied on theflange 146 on themechanical lance 140 alongtermination 108a-c direction.In the embodiment shown,bias spring 148 applies the power alongtermination 108a-c direction atflange 146, make length that the near-end 142 ofmechanical lance 140 stretches out from housing andtermination 108a-c length about equally.In another embodiment, the length of mechanical lance length of stretching out from housing and termination and unequal or close.

Afterelectrosurgical unit 100 had been finished its last sterilization/use circulation,indicator 122 contacted with backstop 125.Backstop 125 is formed by the bottom of housing 102.Indicator 122 is stoped bybackstop 125 along further moving ofpower lead 104 directions.When actuator 150 is pushed into when engaging withlatch portion 128,actuator 150 is stoped bylatch portion 128 along moving ofpower lead 104 directions.The machinery lance alongpower lead 104 directions move by contacting between the front surface of the far-end 144 ofmechanical lance 140 andactuator 150 stop.

When actuator 150 is pushed into when engaging withlatch portion 128,actuator 150 laterally is shifted.The transverse shift ofactuator 150 makes theconduit 154 and the far-end 144 ofmechanical lance 140 not line up.Thus, the far-end 144 ofmechanical lance 140 contacts rather than slips in theconduit 154 with the front surface of actuator 150.In addition,sheet spring 180 engages withactuator 150, prevents that lateral actuator from moving and guarantees that the far-end 144 ofmechanical lance 140 does not slip back in theconduit 154 ofactuator 150.

Contacting between the far-end 144 of the front surface ofactuator 150 andmechanical lance 140 stopsmechanical lance 140 moving towardspower lead 104 directions.In other words,indicator 122,actuator 150 andmechanical lance 140 and connect to be provided with and prevent thatmechanical lance 140 is pushed in the housing 102.Thus, in case finished predetermined sterilization/use cycle index, when user's intention was inserted intotermination 108a-c in the Electrosurgical power supply (not shown),mechanical lance 140 stopedelectrosurgical unit 100 to be used.

As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the blocking mechanism of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention and spirit.For example, in one embodiment, blocking mechanism disconnects the electrical connection of an inside, stops electric current flowing in electrosurgical unit.In another embodiment, blocking mechanism stops the coupling of modular electrosurgical apparatus part, thereby prevents that effectively electrosurgical unit is used.

With reference now to Figure 10,, shows optional structure according to the Electrosurgical counter/blocking mechanism of one aspect of the invention.In the embodiment shown, temperature actuation element 270 and mechanical actuation elements (for example mechanical lance 240) engage with actuator 250.Actuator 250 causesindicator 222 to move.In the embodiment shown,indicator 222 is rotary-type indicators, and it has a plurality of teeth 226 and a plurality of mark 224.Tooth 226 engages androtation indicator 222 with actuator 250.Indicator 222 mobile causes demonstrating different mark 224, and described a plurality of marks 224 are positioned on theindicator 222.

Very similar with the Electrosurgical counter/blocking mechanism among Fig. 1-9, in using circulation, the lance 240 of counter 210 is moved in the housing.This causesindicator 222 to rotate, and reason is because the tooth that is formed in actuator 250 (not shown)s engages ordinatedly with one or more teeth 226 of indicator 222.Temperature actuation element 270 activated in response to the heat that is used for decontamination cycle.Temperature actuation element 270 is firmization in response to decontamination cycle, causes actuator 250 to move along the termination direction of electrosurgical unit.This so locatees actuator 250: be pressed into the rotation that mechanical lance 240 will causeindicator 222 in response to using circulation.The structure of temperature actuation element 270 and mechanical lance 240 has been guaranteed: for each sterilization/use circulation, single change is realized in the position of mark 224 on theindicator 222.

In the embodiment shown,indicator 222 comprises latch portion 228.Latch portion 228 is configured to the nearly portion of ccontaining lance 240 and/or the part of actuator 250, thereby prevents that lance 240 is forced in the housing of electrosurgical unit after having finished the sterilization of pre-determined number/use circulation.In the embodiment shown, in case finished the sterilization/use circulation of pre-determined number, latch portion 228 is positioned near the actuator 250.Lateral offset member 280 applies a lateral offset power on mechanical lance 240, the nearly portion that causes mechanical lance 240 moves towards the direction of indicator 222.The transverse movement of machinery lance 240 causes mechanical lance 240 to separate from engagement member 290, allows bias spring 248 mechanically moving lances 240, thereby makes the far-end of mechanical lance 240 stretch out the length length about equally with contiguous termination.In case mechanical lance 240 stretches out, laterally mobile mechanical actuator 250 is moved into latch portion 228 of mechanical lance 240 and lateral offset member 280 engages, thereby stops the nearly portion of mechanical lance 240 to be inserted once more in the actuator 250.Thus, prevent that mechanical lance 240 is withdrawn in the housing of electrosurgical unit.

As those skilled in the art understand, can adopt the indicator of polytype and structure and can not depart from category of the present invention with spirit.For example, in one embodiment, indicator includes a plurality of marks, and described a plurality of marks can be independent of moving of indicator and move.According to another embodiment of the invention, indicator includes a seven-segment display, and described indicator is based on simulation or digital signal and increase.

The present invention can other specific forms implements and can not depart from its spirit or principal character.Described true mode will be understood that it is exemplary rather than restrictive.Therefore, category of the present invention is determined by appended claim rather than is determined by description above.All drop on the implication and the interior variation of scope that are equal to claim and all are included within its category.

Claims (53)

1. counter that is used to follow the tracks of sterilization/use cycle index that electrosurgical unit experiences, described counter comprises:

Be used to survey the device of the temperature that be higher than room temperature relevant with decontamination cycle;

Be used to survey described instrumentation round-robin device, described be used to survey the device of the temperature that is higher than room temperature and be used to survey use the round-robin device in conjunction with and realize the variation of one or more marks, thereby, illustrate for each sterilization of experiencing/use circulation and to have finished single sterilization/uses and circulate.

2. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 1, the wherein said device that is used to survey the temperature that is higher than room temperature comprises the temperature actuating component.

3. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 2, wherein said temperature actuating component comprises marmem.

4. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 3 further comprises indicator, and this indicator has a plurality of marks, is used to illustrate the change of sterilization/use round-robin number of times of having finished.

5. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 1 further comprises actuator.

6. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 5, is used to survey the device of the temperature that is higher than room temperature and is used for survey using the round-robin device to link wherein said actuator and described indicator.

7. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 6, wherein said actuator cause one or more marks to change, thereby the variation of sterilization that experienced or remaining/use cycle index is shown for the user.

8. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 7, wherein when the described device that is used to survey the temperature that is higher than room temperature activated, described actuator moved along first direction.

9. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 8, wherein when described when being used for survey using the round-robin device to activated, described actuator moves along second direction.

10. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said actuator moves described indicator, make that after complete sterilization/use circulation after first direction and second direction move, sterilization/uses that described indicator for displaying has been finished single circulates.

11. an Electrosurgical counter is used to follow the tracks of sterilization/use round-robin number of times that electrosurgical unit experiences, described Electrosurgical counter comprises:

Indicator, it has a plurality of marks, is used to illustrate the change of sterilization/use round-robin number of times of having finished;

With the joining temperature actuation element of described indicator;

With the joining mechanical actuation elements of described indicator, described temperature actuation element and mechanical actuation elements make mark change, thereby corresponding to each sterilization of experiencing/use circulation, described indicator for displaying has been finished the sterilization/use circulation of single.

12. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said temperature actuation element activated in the decontamination cycle process.

13. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said mechanical actuation elements activated in using cyclic process.

14. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 13, wherein said mechanical actuation elements comprises lance.

15. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 14, wherein said lance is biased in the electrosurgical unit in using circulation.

16. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 14, wherein when described electrosurgical unit was inserted in the electrosurgical power supplies, described lance was pressed into and is biased in the electrosurgical unit.

17. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said indicator illustrate the residue access times of electrosurgical unit.

18. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said indicator illustrate the elapsed sterilization of electrosurgical unit/use round-robin number of times.

19. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said one or more marks move with respect to indicator.

20. Electrosurgical counter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said one or more marks do not move with respect to indicator, and wherein said indicator moves and to the user a different mark is shown.

21. an electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter comprises:

Indicator, it has a plurality of marks, is used to be illustrated in electrosurgical unit and should be dropped remaining access times before;

With the joining actuator of described indicator;

With the joining temperature actuation element of described actuator, this temperature actuation element makes described actuator move along first direction when activateding;

With the joining mechanical actuation elements of described actuator, this mechanical actuation elements makes described actuator move along second direction, described temperature actuation element and mechanical actuation elements make actuator realize the change of mark, thereby show remaining access times after sterilization/use circulation.

22. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 21, wherein said temperature actuation element activated in response to decontamination cycle.

23. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 22, wherein said temperature actuation element promotes described actuator and makes this actuator move along first direction.

24. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 23, wherein said temperature actuation element comprises marmem.

25. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 24, wherein the configuration of described marmem is crooked between the operating period of electrosurgical unit.

26. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 25, wherein during the decontamination cycle of at least a portion, described marmem has just changed into roughly linear configuration.

27. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 26, wherein said marmem promotes described actuator and causes described indicator to move.

28. an electrosurgery blocking mechanism that uses with electrosurgical unit, described electrosurgical unit are configured to be dropped after the sterilization/use circulation at pre-determined number, described electrosurgery blocking mechanism comprises:

Indicator, it has a plurality of marks, is used to be illustrated in electrosurgical unit and should be dropped remaining access times before;

Actuator, this actuator configurations become with described indicator joint and a different mark are shown, thereby show remaining access times;

With the joining temperature actuation element of described actuator, this temperature actuation element is adapted such that described actuator moves along first direction;

With the joining mechanical actuation elements of described actuator, this mechanical actuation elements is adapted such that described actuator moves along second direction;

With the joining blocking mechanism of described actuator, this blocking mechanism is suitable for using with mechanical actuation elements with described temperature actuation element, and wherein said blocking mechanism also is suitable for preventing that this electrosurgical unit is used after electrosurgical unit has experienced the sterilization of pre-determined number/use circulation.

29. electrosurgery blocking mechanism as claimed in claim 28, wherein said blocking mechanism comprises mechanical lance.

30. electrosurgery blocking mechanism as claimed in claim 29, wherein said mechanical lance comprises described mechanical actuation elements.

31. electrosurgery blocking mechanism as claimed in claim 30, wherein said mechanical lance prevents that the user is connected to electrosurgical power supplies to electrosurgical unit.

32. electrosurgery blocking mechanism as claimed in claim 28, wherein said blocking mechanism uses with modular electrosurgical unit.

33. the coupling of electrosurgery blocking mechanism as claimed in claim 32, the wherein said blocking mechanism different piece by stoping described modular electrosurgical apparatus prevents that this modular electrosurgical apparatus is used.

34. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter that uses with the electrosurgical unit that can utilize again, described electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter is configured to show remaining access times exactly that after sterilization/use circulation described electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter comprises:

Indicator, it has a plurality of marks, is used for being illustrated in electrosurgical unit to the user and should be dropped remaining access times before;

Actuator, this actuator configurations become with described indicator to link;

With the joining temperature actuation element of described actuator;

With the joining mechanical actuation elements of described actuator, one of wherein said temperature actuation element or mechanical actuation elements make actuator move and make mark change along first direction, and wherein said actuator can not make that mark changes once more, and another in described temperature actuation element or mechanical actuation elements makes actuator move along second direction.

35. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 34, the structure of wherein said indicator is linear.

36. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 35, wherein said indicator can slide along the linear pattern direction.

37. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 34, the structure of wherein said indicator is annular.

, electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 34, wherein said indicator show a different mark 38. can rotating.

39. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 34, wherein said indicator comprises display.

40. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 39, wherein said display comprises seven-segment display.

41. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 40, wherein said display comprise that numeral shows, machinery shows or electronics shows.

42. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 34 further comprises the mobile minimized mechanism that makes the non-expectation of described indicator.

43. an electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter comprises:

Indicator, it has a plurality of marks, be used to be illustrated in electrosurgical unit should be dropped before remaining access times, wherein said indicator moves with respect to other parts of electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter and is illustrated in electrosurgical unit and should be dropped remaining access times before;

With the joining actuator of described indicator;

With the joining temperature actuation element of described actuator, this temperature actuation element makes described actuator move along first direction when being heated;

With the joining mechanical actuation elements of described actuator, this mechanical actuation elements makes described actuator move along second direction, thereby make described actuator be presented at remaining access times after the sterilization/use circulation, the distance that moves during the change of remaining access times before the displacement of wherein said mechanical actuation elements when being activated fully should be dropped greater than electrosurgical unit indicator illustrating.

44. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 43, wherein said mechanical actuation elements comprises mechanical lance.

45. being depressed, electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 44, wherein said mechanical lance cause actuator to change remaining access times before electrosurgical unit should be dropped.

46. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 45, the distance that wherein said mechanical lance moves when being fully depressed is roughly 0.25 inch.

47. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 46, wherein said actuator move about 0.06 inch and be illustrated in the change that electrosurgical unit remains access times before should being dropped.

48. an electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter comprises:

Indicator, and

The machinery lance, it makes described indicator move when being pressed into and is presented at remaining access times after the sterilization/use circulation, and wherein the displacement of mechanical actuation elements when being fully depressed is illustrating the distance that electrosurgical unit moves during the change of residue access times before should being dropped greater than indicator.

49. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 48, the displacement of wherein said mechanical lance when being fully depressed is 0.01 inch to 0.75 inch.

50. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 48, the displacement of wherein said indicator when being moved by mechanical lance is 0.02 inch to 0.125 inch.

51. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 48, the displacement of wherein said mechanical lance when being fully depressed is roughly 0.025 inch.

52. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 51, the displacement of wherein said indicator when being moved by described mechanical lance is roughly 0.06 inch.

53. electrosurgery sterilization/usage counter as claimed in claim 52, wherein said indicator are depressed roughly at mechanical lance the change of residue access times are shown 0.06 inch the time.

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