CONMED Corporation
CONTINUOUS ROTATION OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

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.