Abstract: A disposable electrosurgical tool comprises a tool portion with a handle portion enabling one-handed manipulation of the tool to place an electrode at a distal end of the handle portion in contact with tissue to apply electrical current introduced to the tool portion. A switch body integrally mounted to the proximal end of the tool handle includes a push-button switch that is electrically connected to the electrode. An actuator body, removably connected to the switch body, mounts an actuator lever arm rotated by a finger of the user's hand holding the tool to close the switch. A power cord integrally connected to the switch body connects the switch to an electrical generator to introduce electrical current to the electrode when the switch is closed. The tool portion, switch body, and power cord comprise an easily sterilized, single-use, unitary electrosurgical tool.

Abstract: An actuator assembly connects to a tool plug at a proximal end of a conventional bipolar electrosurgical forceps having electrodes at a distal end for applying electrical current to tissue. A switch body with an integral power cord includes a plug mount that accepts the tool plug and a switch for connecting the tool plug to an electrical generating apparatus when the switch is closed. An actuator body mounted to the switch body includes a pivotally mounted switch actuating member to which an actuator lever arm is adjustably mounted. The switch body and actuator body are configured so that when the tool is held in the user's hand with the plug mount secured to the tool plug, the actuator lever arm can be positioned for movement by a finger of the user's hand to move the switch actuating member and close the switch.

Abstract: A system for selectively actuating a heating current conductible from a bipolar generator to a surgical tool may comprise an actuator assembly having an output receptacle, an input plug, and an actuating component. The output receptacle may be configured to receive a complementary tool plug of the surgical tool. The input plug may be configured for mating with a generator receptacle receivable of the heating current from the bipolar generator. The generator receptacle may be complementary to the tool plug. The actuating component may have at least one of a switch and a lever arm and may be configured to communicate with the bipolar generator for selectively actuating the heating current to flow from the input plug to the output receptacle upon engagement of the switch or the lever arm.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for selectively transmitting a heating current from a bipolar electrical generator to a surgical tool includes an actuating component with a connector for mounting the actuator assembly to the tool in a predetermined orientation. A lever arm mounted for rotation to the actuating component controls a switch that introduces current to tool electrodes when the switch is closed. A user holds the tool and the mounted actuator assembly in one hand and operates the switch with an ergonomic lever arm rotatably mounted to the actuating component. Different left- and right-hand versions of the lever arm can be used with the same actuator assembly, or the actuator assembly can accept a different lever arm configuration for use with either hand. In another version, the actuator assembly can include a guard for preventing inadvertent actuation of the switch during one-handed manipulation of the tool.