초록 ▼

An autoclavable remote control unit for controlling the operation of a surgical device. The remote control unit has a plurality of Hall effect sensors arranged on a printed circuit board hermetically encased within a polymeric housing molded from an autoclavable material. Each Hall effect sensor may

An autoclavable remote control unit for controlling the operation of a surgical device. The remote control unit has a plurality of Hall effect sensors arranged on a printed circuit board hermetically encased within a polymeric housing molded from an autoclavable material. Each Hall effect sensor may be activated by an associated magnet which is resiliently supported within a panel which can be closed against the housing or hinged away from the housing. In the closed position, the magnets may be momentarily depressed to activate the associated Hall effect sensor to thereby control the operation of a selected function of the surgical device. The disclosure also includes the method of remotely controlling a surgical device by providing at least one non-contiguously activatable switch element in a hermetically sealed housing and activating the element by bringing into its proximity an activating element.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A remote control handpiece for use with a control means for operating a surgical device comprising:a plurality of first switch means arranged in a predetermined pattern, said first switch means for transmitting at least one predetermined signal to said control means upon

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A remote control handpiece for use with a control means for operating a surgical device comprising:a plurality of first switch means arranged in a predetermined pattern, said first switch means for transmitting at least one predetermined signal to said control means upon activation;a plurality of selectively activatable second switch means, each one of which is juxtaposed relative to a respective one of said first switch means for activating same;movable support means associated with said second switch means for enabling selective movement of each of said second switch means relative to said respective ones of said first switch means to thereby selectively activate or deactivate selected ones of said first switch means; andan air-tight housing hermetically encasing said first switch means to thereby enable said handpiece to be autoclaved, said housing enabling non-contiguous activation of said first switch means by said second switch means.