ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICE HAVING A DIELECTRIC SEAL

摘要

An electrosurgical device is provided having at least one elastomeric seal capable of providing bio-contamination and dielectric protection by inhibiti ng the ingress of fluids and contaminants through the nose and actuator areas. The elastomeric seal is manufactured from a thermoplastic elastomer or resin which while in liquid form is placed within a mold. A housing section having the main circuit components and mechanisms of the electrosurgical device is then placed within the mold. Once the elastomer cures, the elastomeric seal seals the components and mechanisms within the housing partial-section. The elastomeric seal defines a flexible first opening at a distal end of the electrosurgical device to accommodate varying diameters of electrodes or blades connected to the nose area of the elctrosurgical device. An actuator seal is also provided on the actuator area of the electrosurgical device to prevent fluids and contaminants from entering the electrosurgical device through the actuator area. The device is further provided with a plug connector having a counting mechanism for counting the number of times the device is plugged into an electric generator. A disable mechanism is include d at the proximal end of the plug connector to disable the device after a pre- determined number of operations.