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Publication Number
US-12588942-B2
Publication Date
2026-03-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
A continuous rotation assembly that may be positioned in the housing of an electrosurgical device to maintain electrical continuity between an electrosurgical power source and an electrosurgical implement positioned at the end of a rotatable shaft. A stator is positioned about the shaft and fixed against rotation and includes a pair of rings that are electrically isolated from each other. A rotor having first and second sets of pins that are electrically isolated from each other is positioned about the shaft and rotatable therewith. The pins are positioned to stay contact with the pair of rings as the shaft and rotor rotate. A first pair of wires couples the pins to the electrosurgical implement. A second pair of wires couples the pair of rings to an electrosurgical power source, thereby providing power to the implement even if the shaft is rotated continuously.
Core Innovation
An electrosurgical device includes a housing defining a first rib and a second rib, and an electrosurgical implement supported by a shaft for rotation about a longitudinal axis. The shaft includes a longitudinal slot, and the stator is positioned about the shaft and fixed against rotation. The stator includes a pair of concentrically positioned rings that are electrically isolated from each other and configured for connection to an electrosurgical power source.
A rotor is positioned about and rotatable with the shaft, where the rotor includes first and second sets of pins that are electrically isolated from each other and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical implement. The first set of pins and the second set of pins are positioned concentrically and are positioned in contact with one and the other of the pair of rings, respectively. The rotor includes a tang that engages the slot of the shaft to maintain rotational coupling between the rotor and the shaft.
The housing positions the stator in abutting relation to the first rib so that the first rib prevents rotation of the stator, while a bearing positioned between the rotor and the second rib enables rotor rotation while contact is maintained. With the first and second sets of pins in contact with the corresponding isolated rings, the electrosurgical power source is maintained in electrical continuity with the electrosurgical implement during rotation, including continuous rotation as described in the device summary. The described arrangement solves the problem of maintaining electrical continuity between a fixed electrosurgical power source and a rotating electrosurgical implement during continuous rotation, while preventing wire disconnection or power loss during rotation as characterized by the continuous-rotation assembly.
Claims Coverage
The provided independent claims cover two inventive aspects: an electrosurgical device architecture that maintains electrical continuity during rotation, and a corresponding method of providing continuous rotation with electrical continuity. Across these independent claims, there are multiple inventive features centered on a fixed stator with isolated rings, a rotatable rotor with isolated pin sets maintaining electrical contact, and a mechanical coupling arrangement that keeps the stator fixed while the rotor rotates.
Fixed stator with isolated concentrically positioned rings
A stator positioned about the shaft and fixed against rotation, the stator including a pair of concentrically positioned rings that are electrically isolated from each other and configured for connection to an electrosurgical power source.
Rotatable rotor with first and second isolated pin sets in ring contact
A rotor positioned about and rotatable with the shaft, the rotor having first and second sets of pins electrically isolated from each other and electrically coupled to the electrosurgical implement, where the first set of pins are positioned in contact with one of the pair of rings and the second set of pins are positioned in contact with the other of the pair of rings.
Tang-slot rotational coupling with stator rotation prevented by abutting rib
A tang on the rotor engages the slot of the shaft so the rotor is rotatable with the shaft, and the stator is positioned in abutting relation to the first rib such that the first rib prevents rotation of the stator.
Bearing arrangement to allow rotor rotation while maintaining pin-to-ring contact
A bearing positioned between the rotor and the second rib and in abutting relation to the rotor and the second rib so that the rotor can rotate while contact is maintained between the first set of pins and the one of the pair of rings and between the second set of pins and the other of the pair of rings.
Coupling rotor pin sets to the electrosurgical implement and rings to the power source for electrical continuity
The method couples the first and second sets of pins to an electrosurgical implement mounted to the shaft and couples the pair of rings of the stator to an electrosurgical power source so that the electrosurgical power source is in electrical continuity with the electrosurgical implement.
Continuous rotation by maintaining stator fixed while rotor pins stay in contact
The method provides continuous rotation to an electrosurgical device by coupling a rotor having first and second sets of pins electrically isolated from each other to position the pins in contact with respective ones of a concentrically positioned pair of rings of a stator that is fixed against rotation, with a tang engaging the slot of the shaft.
Spring-loaded pin sets to maintain contact during continuous rotation
The method is characterized in that the first and second sets of pins are spring-loaded so they stay in contact with the pair of rings.
Across the independent claims, the invention maintains electrical continuity during continuous rotation by using a fixed stator with a pair of electrically isolated concentric rings and a rotatable rotor with corresponding electrically isolated concentric pin sets that remain in contact. A tang-slot arrangement couples rotor rotation to the shaft while a rib prevents stator rotation, and a bearing supports rotor rotation while maintaining pin-to-ring contact; the method claim additionally couples the pins and rings to the electrosurgical implement and electrosurgical power source to preserve electrical continuity.
Stated Advantages
Maintains electrical continuity between the electrosurgical power source and the electrosurgical implement during continuous rotation.
Enables continuous rotation while contact between pin sets and isolated rings is maintained.
Documented Applications
Providing continuous rotation to an electrosurgical device while maintaining electrical continuity between an electrosurgical power source and an electrosurgical implement.
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