Medical instrument and handle assembly

摘要

A battery handle for an electrically illuminated diagnostic instrument, the handle being able to accommodate either non-rechargeable or rechargeable cells. The handle is constructed so that rechargeable cells can be recharged without removing the cells from the handle. Non-rechargeable cells are insulated from the recharging circuit so that if the handle is inadvertently placed in a recharging unit with non-rechargeable cells in it, the latter will not be damaged. The handle includes a neck portion to which different diagnostic instruments can be releasably connected, and with no instruments attached the neck portion can be used as a general illuminator with particular utility as a throat illuminator.