Abstract: A control apparatus for use in conjunction with a lighted, hand held, surgical electrode holder and any electrosurgical current generator normally intended to function with a non-lighted, hand held surgical electrode holder, that permits delivery of illuminating current to the lighted holder's lamp, while simultaneously permitting on a selective basis, cutting current or coagulation current to pass through the holder's active electrode. In addition, the control apparatus provides the lamp with a delay shut-off which thereby permits a surgeon to inspect the site of surgery, either before or following surgery, when cutting or coagulation current does not flow.

Abstract: A hand held holder, incorporating a light transmitting electrode tip that's separable from the handle, for use in high frequency electrosurgery, with built-in, finger actuated switches for operating a high frequency current generator. The device is particularly characterized in that in conjunction with a light transmitting electrode, it provides localized illumination at the region of surgery. To provide this illumination, an elongate photoconductive device is provided which extends generally longitudinally within the electrode, and communicates in the holder with a light transmitting portion, in the form of either a section of a strand like photoconductor, or an electrically operated lamp.