Socket for the transmission of high-frequency current, plug-in system, and electrosurgical device

Abstract

A socket (SB) for transmitting high-frequency current to a plug (ST) for an electrosurgical application, wherein the socket (SB) has a plug opening (SA), a plug base (SG) arranged opposite the plug opening (SA), and a housing (G) with an inner circumference (GU), wherein a first contact element (K1) for transmitting high-frequency current to the plug (ST) is arranged on the inner circumference (GU), and a second contact element (K2) is arranged on the plug base (SG), wherein the second contact element (K2) is provided for transmitting high-frequency current to the plug (ST) and is permanently electrically connected to the first contact element (K1) so that the first and second contact elements (K1, K2) have the same electrical potential, as well as a plug system (S) and an electrosurgical device (EG) with such a socket (SB).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a socket for transmitting high-frequency current to a plug, particularly for electrosurgical applications. The invention further relates to a plugging system comprising a plug and such a socket, as well as an electrosurgical device comprising such a plugging system or such a socket.

[0002] Electrosurgical devices typically have connectors to connect an electrosurgical instrument, such as a monopolar laparoscopic instrument, to a power supply unit, such as a high-frequency current generator. These connectors can be single or multiple connectors. For reliable surgical treatment of a patient with such electrosurgical devices, it is essential that a faulty connection is reliably detected. After all, any disruption to patient treatment due to a contact fault in the connector is, of course, undesirable.

[0003] Solutions for detecting the correct position of a plug in a socket are already known in the prior art. For example, EP 2 486 885 A1 discloses a universal socket with a plug detection device located at the base of a plug contact opening. The plug detection device is implemented as a contact pin, a reed contact, or a microswitch. The plug detection device generates a signal that represents the plugging state of the connection. After receiving feedback from the plug detection device, the control unit of the surgical device generates a signal that ensures current is released at the corresponding contact elements in the plug contact openings.

[0004] However, such a solution increases the complexity of the surgical device. This is because the additional reading of a signal from a plug detection device is an additional potential source of error that must be mitigated by both hardware and software safeguards.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a solution for the reliable detection of a correct or faulty plug connection, which is characterized by a simple design.

[0006] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments result from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0007] To solve the problem, a socket for transmitting high-frequency current to a plug is proposed, particularly for an electrosurgical application. The socket has a plug opening, a plug base opposite the plug opening, and a housing with an inner circumference. At least one first contact element for transmitting high-frequency current to the plug is arranged on the inner circumference. A second contact element is arranged at the plug base.

[0008] According to the invention, the second contact element, like the first contact element, is designed to transmit high-frequency current to the connector. The first and second contact elements are permanently electrically connected, so that they have the same electrical potential.

[0009] The invention is based on the understanding that plug contact detection can be achieved without additional sensors by applying a test voltage to the plug connection before the surgical device is actually operated, and only enabling operation of the surgical device if the test voltage is positive. The proper plug contact can also be monitored during operation of the surgical device by applying the test voltage. To reliably rule out a faulty contact in the plug connection with such sensorless plug contact detection, the invention proposes to design the socket such that the plug can be contacted at its tip and circumference for the transmission of the test voltage, so that a test voltage can be applied to the plug connection at least at one point (tip or circumference).In this way, a plug connection with geometrically slightly different plugs can be reliably detected.

[0010] According to one possible embodiment, the second contact element is formed by a spring, for example a conical spring. In such an embodiment, an end of the spring facing the plug opening is configured for electrical contact with the plug, and an end of the spring facing the plug base is configured for mechanical support and electrical contact of the spring at the plug base.

[0011] Preferably, the second contact element is multi-part and includes a spring that biases a contact tip of the second contact element towards the insertion opening. For example, the second contact element can be designed as a spring-loaded contact pin. Such a solution is reliable and easy to use, as spring-loaded contact pins are well-known and readily available on the market.

[0012] Preferably, the first contact element is designed as a spring-loaded socket. A spring-loaded socket allows for the reliable transmission of high-frequency current to a connector's circumferential surface. Furthermore, a spring-loaded socket provides a clearly perceptible insertion resistance for the user.

[0013] Preferably, the spring preload of the second contact element is smaller, and in particular significantly smaller, than the spring preload of the spring bushing. This allows the insertion feel to continue to be defined by the spring bushing, without the user being unsettled by additional insertion resistance caused by the second contact element.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the first and second contact elements are received in an electrically conductive contact element carrier, which is received in the housing. This makes it easy to ensure that the first and second contact elements have the same electrical potential.

[0015] Preferably, the second contact element has a shoulder which is supported on the contact element carrier. In this way, reliable support of the second contact element can be easily achieved.

[0016] Preferably, the socket has a third contact element which, like the first and second contact elements, is configured to transmit high-frequency current to the plug. The third contact element is electrically isolated from the first and second contact elements. This design allows a test voltage to be applied to the plug via the first and / or the second contact element and then transmitted back to the socket via the third contact element. The third contact element is located on the inner circumference of the housing and is preferably designed as a spring-loaded bushing.

[0017] The socket can be part of a plug and socket system. The socket can be a single socket or a multi-socket socket, where several socket openings are combined in a common housing. In such a multi-socket design, one, several, or all of the sockets can be configured as described above.

[0018] The socket or connector system can be a component of an electrosurgical device, such as a high-frequency current generator. The socket or connector system can form the electrical interface to an electrosurgical hand instrument, such as a laparoscopic instrument.

[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1. A socket in an isometric view; Fig. 2 a top view of the socket; Fig. 3 a sectional view of the socket; Fig. 4 a schematic sectional view of a contact element of the socket; Fig. 5 A schematic sectional view of a plug socket according to an alternative embodiment Fig. 6 a sectional view of a plug system consisting of a socket and plug; as well as Fig. 7 an electrosurgical device with an electrosurgical hand instrument attached to it.

[0020] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a socket SB in an isometric view. The socket SB is designed as a multi-socket socket and has several plug-in ports SA, SA2, SA3, SA4 arranged in a row. The socket SB has an electrically insulating housing G for receiving and supporting the individual plug-in ports. Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of the socket SB, with a section plane AA defined.

[0021] Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the SB socket according to the diagram in Fig. 2 defined cutting plane AA. The socket SB is designed to receive a Fig. 3 connectors (not shown) with a round cross-section are aligned. The electrically insulating housing G has the connector opening SA at one end and a connector base SG at the other end. A first contact element K1 is arranged on the inner circumference GU of the housing G. The first contact element K1 is received in an electrically conductive contact element carrier KT and is designed as a spring bushing. The first contact element K1 is configured to apply a high-frequency electrical voltage to a Fig. To transfer 3 plugs not shown.

[0022] A second contact element K2, designed as a spring-loaded contact pin, is arranged in a bore of the contact element carrier KT. An exemplary configuration of the second contact element K2 is shown in Fig. 4 explained in more detail. A contact tip K2S of the second contact element K2 points towards the insertion opening SA and projects into the inner circumference of the first contact element K1. The two contact elements K1 and K2 have the same electrical potential because they are electrically connected to the contact element carrier KT.

[0023] The SB socket according to the in Fig. The embodiment shown in section 3 further comprises a third contact element K3. The third contact element K3 is arranged between the plug-in opening SA and the first contact element K1 on the inner circumference GU of the housing G and is designed as a spring bushing. The third contact element K3 is electrically separated from the contact element carrier KT by the housing G. A circuit board P is arranged on the side of the housing G opposite the plug-in opening SA. The circuit board P has in Fig. 3 conductor tracks not shown, via which electrical contact is made to the contact element carrier KT and via the line K3L to the third contact element K3.

[0024] Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic sectional view of the second contact element K2 according to a possible embodiment. The second contact element K2 is multi-part and comprises a housing K2G and a piston K2K guided therein. The piston K2K partially protrudes from the housing K2G, with the contact tip K2S formed at the protruding end of the piston K2K. A spring F is arranged at the opposite end of the piston K2K, by means of which the piston K2K is supported against the housing K2G. A shoulder K2F is arranged on the housing K2G, by means of which the second contact element K2 can be supported against the contact element carrier KT. The travel distance of the piston K2K between its end positions is, for example, between 3 and 7 millimeters.

[0025] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic sectional view of a plug socket SB according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the one in Fig. In the embodiment shown in section 3, this socket SB has only two contact elements: the first contact element K1, designed as a spring bushing K1, and the second contact element K2, designed as a conical spring F. An end of the conical spring F on the base side of the socket serves for mechanical support and electrical contact, while the contact tip K2S at the end of the conical spring F on the opening side serves to contact the Fig. The electrical connection between the two contact elements K1 and K2 is formed by the 5 connectors not shown. Fig. 5 not explicitly shown.

[0026] Fig. Figure 6 shows a plug system S consisting of a plug ST and a socket SB, which in the illustration according to Fig. 6 by way of example according to the in Fig. 1 to Fig. The ST connector is implemented as shown in the embodiment 3. At its socket-side end, the ST connector has a round cross-section with a variable diameter. The ST connector is shown in the illustration according to... Fig. 6 inserted fully into the insertion opening SA of the socket SB. The smallest diameter of the first contact element K1, designed as a spring bushing, is offset in the insertion direction from the smallest diameter of the plug ST, as shown in Fig. Figure 6 illustrates this with the offset V. This means that the circumferential contact surface of the connector ST with the first contact element K1 is not clearly defined, which can lead to a contact fault. However, the second contact element K2, implemented here as a spring-loaded contact pin, ensures reliable electrical contact with the connector ST. This allows the socket SB to be used with connectors ST that have slightly different shapes.

[0027] Fig. Figure 7 schematically shows an electrosurgical device EG, for example, a high-frequency current generator. The electrosurgical device EG can be connected to a Fig. 7. The electrical network (not shown) is connected as a power source and features a plug system S with a socket SB and a plug ST. The plug system S can be, for example, as shown in Fig. Figure 6 illustrates this configuration. A cable L is connected to connector S, which in turn is connected to an electrosurgical hand instrument KG, for example, a laparoscopic instrument such as a hook electrode. A correct connection of the connector system S can be verified, for example, by transmitting a test voltage via the connector system S. This test voltage is transmitted from the high-frequency current generator EG to connector ST via the first and / or second contact element K1, K2. Reference symbol list S plug-in system ST connector SB socket AA section plane SA, SA2, SA3, SA4 plug opening SG plug base G Housing GU inner circumference K1 First contact element K2 Second contact element K2S contact tip K2G Housing K2K piston F spring K2F shoulder K3 Third contact element K3L line KT contact element carrier P board V offset EC Electrosurgical Device L cable KG Electrosurgical hand instrument QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2 486 885 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Socket (SB) for transmitting high-frequency current to a plug (ST), for an electrosurgical application, wherein the socket (SB) has a plug opening (SA), a plug base (SG) arranged opposite the plug opening (SA) and a housing (G) with an inner circumference (GU), wherein a first contact element (K1) for transmitting high-frequency current to the plug (ST) is arranged on the inner circumference (GU) and a second contact element (K2) is arranged on the plug base (SG), characterized by , that the second contact element (K2) is provided for the transmission of high-frequency current to the plug (ST) and is permanently electrically connected to the first contact element (K1), so that the first and second contact elements (K1, K2) have the same electrical potential. [2] Socket (SB) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the second contact element (K2) is formed by a spring (F) such that a plug-opening-side end of the spring (F) is provided for electrical contacting of the plug (ST), and a plug-base-side end of the spring (F) is provided for mechanical support and electrical contacting of the spring (F) at the plug base (SG). [3] Socket (SB) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the second contact element (K2) is multi-part and has a spring (F) which biases a contact tip (K2S) of the second contact element (K2) in the direction of the plug opening (SA). [4] Socket (SB) according to claim 3, characterized by , that the second contact element (K2) is designed as a spring-loaded contact pin. [5] Socket (SB) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the first contact element (K1) is designed as a spring bushing. [6] Socket (SB) according to claim 5, characterized by, that a spring preload of the second contact element (K2) is smaller than a spring preload of the first contact element (K1) designed as a spring bushing. [7] Socket (SB) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that the first contact element (K1) and the second contact element (K2) are contained in an electrically conductive contact element carrier (KT), which is contained in the housing (G). [8] Socket (SB) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the second contact element (K2) has a shoulder (K2F), wherein the second contact element (K2) is supported on the contact element carrier (KT) via the shoulder (K2F). [9] Socket (SB) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by, that the socket (SB) has a third contact element (K3) which is electrically separated from the first contact element (K1) and is located on the inner circumference (GU) of the housing (G) and is designed to transmit high-frequency current to the plug (ST). [10] Plug system (S) for transmitting high-frequency current, for an electrosurgical application, comprising a plug (ST) and a socket (SB), characterized by , that the socket (SB) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 9. [11] Electrosurgical device (EC), in particular a high-frequency current generator, characterized by at least one socket (SB) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or by a plug system (S) according to claim 10.

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