US3906955A - Surgical cauterizing tool having suction means - Google Patents

Abstract

A medical tool which comprises a cauterizing blade mounted in a plastic handle or body, and a manually retractable vacuum tube which can be positioned adjacent the cauterizing tool to evacuate the cauterizing area, or which can be retracted therefrom when no evacuation is necessary. The cauterizing blade is connected to an electrical conductor by means of a connector which permits quick and easy replacement of the blade. The retractable tube is adapted to be connected to a source of vacuum.

Description

[ Sept. 23, 1975 SURGICAL CAUTERIZING TOOL HAVING SUCTION MEANS [76] inventor: Richard R. Roberts, The Barn Trailer Pk., Rt. 1, Box 321, Red Oak, Tex. 75154 [22] Filed: May 6, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 467,611

3,532,095 10/1970 Miller l28/303.17 X 3,799,168 2/1972 Peters.... l28/303.l7

3,825,004 7/1974 Durden l28/275.l 3,828,780 8/1974 Morrison, Jr. 128/2751 Primary ExaminerChanning L. Pace Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Harvey C. Nienow [57] ABSTRACT A medical tool which comprises a cauterizing blade [52] U.S. Cl. 128/303.l7; 128/2751 t d in a plastic handle or body, and a manually (:l. retractable vacuum tube can be positioned ad- [58] F|eld of Search [ZS/275.1, 276, 297, 30 jacent the cauterizing tool to evacuate the cauterizing 128/303-17 area, or which can be retracted therefrom when no evacuation is necessary. [56] References Clted The cauterizing blade is connected to an electrical UNITED STATES PATENTS conductor by means of a connector which permits 2,275,167 3/1942 Bierman 128/303..l7 quick and easy replacement of the blade. The 2/ 2; gugust l ggiz-g retractable tube is adapted to be connected to a l9 oone c f um. 2,888,928 6/1959 Seiger 128/303.17 Sour e O vacu 3,494,363 2/1970 Jackson l28/303.17 X 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 24 /2 ad 4 42/ t .5 22 A9; 2.2 20 0' 4 a I 26 i sximifltwi I .r-z- -u llq I rEllll/Yl if:

SURGICAL CAUTERIZING TOOL HAVING SUCTION MEANS The present invention relates generally to medical tools, and more particularly to tools which can,be used effectively for cauterizing a small: area of a persons body. 8 I t I v For various different'purposes, it frequently becomes necessary to cauterize a particular area of a persons body. This'process requires the application of heat and is frequently done to stop the flow of blood when small. veins have been ruptured. 7

Tools for cauterizing are usually elec-t 'cally ener gized with high frequenty electrical energy. Such element is then positionedin the proper location to effect the cauterizing operation. Y I

Since the cauterizing function has particular application in closing sm'all veins which have been ruptured,

it frequently occurs that there is a pool of blood neari Due to the limited'space wherein such operations are performed, an additional vacuum tube becomes an obstacle which can and does-interfere with the cauterizing procedure. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a medical tool which is capable of performing the cauterizing function and which includes vacuum means which does not interfere with the canterizing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a medical tool as characterized above which includes means for manually manipulating the evacuating means so that the area of the patient can be evacuated and cauterized with minimum motions and time involved.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a medical tool as characterized above which can be used to perform all of the aforenamed functions while being held in one hand of the operating physician.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a medical tool as characterized above wherein the cauterizing blade can be quickly and easily changed.

Another further object of the present invention is to provide a medical tool as characterized above having a manually operable slider which can be moved to effect retraction or extension of the vacuum tube with respect to the cauterizing blade.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide a medical tool as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which is rugged and dependable in an operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itsclf, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view ofa medical tool accord ing to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the medical tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view. taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view, taken substantially along line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5. isa fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along 5-5 of FIG. 3 and,

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the end of the medical tool of FIG. 1.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1. of the drawi'ngs, there is shown therein amedical tool 10 according to the present invention. It comprises abody 12 which is shaped somewhat like, a pencil, and is preferably formed of plastic, although it could be formed of any appropriate material.

Body 12 has a generally tapered exterior configuration, having a larger cross-sectional rearward portion 12u than the forward portion 12b.

Extending from the rear ofbody 12 is anelectrica conductor 14 and a vacuum tube orconduit 16.Conductor 14 is adapted to be connected to any appropriate source of electrical energy for purposes to be hereinafter described, andconduit 16 is adapted to be connected to any appropriate source of vacuum as will hereinafter become more apparent.

Referring more-particularly to FIG. 3 ofthe drawings,body 12 is formed with a pair of through openings 12c and 12d which may extend the entire length of the body or may communicate with a large central opening l2e. The electrical conductor '14 extends into thebody 12, within thecentral opening 126 thereof, into the rear portion of anelectrical connector 18. It is soldered therein as shown at 20.Such connector 18 is provided with anopening 180 wherein is positioned a cauterizin g element orblade 22.

In accordance with the present invention, cauterizingelement 22 may take substantially any desired form or shape but is preferably formed with an end portion 22a which is adapted to engage one end ofconnector 18. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5 of the drawings,connector 18 may be provided with a slot 18b which provides sufficient resiliency to receive the end portion 22a ofelement 22 to provide a good mechanical as well as electrical connection therebetween.

Althoughelement 22 may take substantially any desired form or shape appropriate for the intended use, theelement 22 shown in the drawings includes ablade portion 22b having oppositely disposed coplanar faces orsurfaces 220.

Slidably positioned within through opening 12d ofbody 12 is the end 16a ofconduit 16. To effect longitudinal movement ofconduit 16, for purposes which will hereinafter be explained, a manuallyoperable slider 24 is fastened thereto as shown at 26.Such slider 24 comprises a depending portion 24a formed with a first opening 241; for loosely receivingconductor 14, as shown in the drawings, and a second opening 246 for snugly receiving thevacuum tube 16. Any appropriate bonding material may be used at 26 to firmly secure thetube 16 to the depending portion 24:! ofslider 24.

Slider 24 further includes a finger operated extension 24:] which, as shown most clearly in FIG. 1 of the drawings, may be formed with a rough orknurled surface 240, and which is curved to conform to the general shape or contour ofbody 12. The dependingportion 240 ofslider 24 extends through an opening orcavity 12f formed in the side wall ofbody 12 as shown most clearly in FIG. 3 of the drawings.

The subject medical tool is used by a physician. by being held like an ordinary pen or pencil. As such. the physician is able to direct the cauterizingblade 22 as well as thevacuum tube 16 to the precise location. When it is desired to evacuate the space wherein the cauterization is to take place, it is merely necessary for the physician, by manipulation of his thumb or forefinger, to extend thetube 16 by sliding theslider 24 to its forward position as shown in FIG. 6. This places the end oftube 16 adjacent the cauterizingblade 22 so as to evacuate the area to be cauterized.

Following such evacuation, in order for the physician to properly view the area being cauterizcd and to insure that the cauterizingblade 22 is properly positioned, thevacuum tube 16 is retracted to the position shown in FIG. 1, merely by the physician sliding theslider 24 to its rearward position. Thus, the cauterizingblade 22 is unobstructed and can be located at the proper place.

It is thus seen that the present invention provides a medical tool which is simple to manufacture and simple to operate and which is capable of providing optimum effectiveness in cauterizing, while nonetheless providing evacuation for cleaning the area to be cauterized. Further, the evacuating elements offer no obstruction to the cauterizing function by virtue of being retractable at will.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, l am well aware that many modifications thereof are possible.

l claim:

l. A medical tool comprising in combination. an elongated body formed with first and second through openings and a cavity in a side wall thereof,

, cauterizing means comprising an electrical conductor within said first through opening and a cauterizing blade extending from one end of said first opening and connected in circuit with said conductor,

a tube slideably positioned within said second through opening and adapted to be connected to a vacuum source, and

a slider extending through said cavity in said body and fastened to said tube to be manually operated exteriorly of said body to extend and retract said tube to and from adjacent said cauterizing blade.

2. A medical tool according to claim 1, wherein said slider is formed with a depending portion which extends through said cavity and is fastened to said tube within said second through opening.

3. A medical tool according to claim 2, wherein said slider has an extension disposed at an angle to said depending portion to cover said cavity in said side wall to be manually operable for extending and retracting said tube.

4. A medical tool according toclaim 3, wherein said body is generally cylindrical and said extension is arcuate to conform to said external shape of said body and to cover the cavity in the side wall thereof.

Claims (4)

1. A medical tool comprising in combination, an elongated body formed with first and second through openings and a cavity in a side wall thereof, cauterizing means comprising an electrical conductor within said first through opening and a cauterizing blade extending from one end of said first opening and connected in circuit with said conductor, a tube slideably positioned within said second through opening and adapted to be connected to a vacuum source, and a slider extending through said cavity in said body and fastened to said tube to be manually operated exteriorly of said body to extend and retract said tube to and from adjacent said cauterizing blade.

2. A medical tool according to claim 1, wherein said slider is formed with a depending portion which extends through said cavity and is fastened to said tube within said second through opening.

3. A medical tool according to claim 2, wherein said slider has an extension disposed at an angle to said depending portion to cover said cavity in said side wall to be manually operable for extending and retracting said tube.

4. A medical tool according to claim 3, wherein said body is generally cylindrical and said extension is arcuate to conform to said external shape of said body and to cover the cavity in the side wall thereof.

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