Cauterizing instrument and holder

Abstract

A disposable cauterizing (electro-surgical) instrument (pencil) is packaged in sterile condition in a sealed envelope. The instrument has a reversible electrode having a narrow needle at one end and a broad flat blade at the other. The handle has an electrical connector consisting of two flat leaves which will accept either end of the electrode and establish electrical contact therewith, the opposite end extending out of the handle in working position. The holder has a sheath which receives the electrode and handle and has a flange which has two slits for attachment of the instrument cord to the holder, a hole to hang, clamp or pin the tab to drape or other available support and electrode cleaners of two types. One type cleaner is an upstanding boss formed with a V-shaped notch. The other cleaner is a broad tab surface hinged to the flange formed with serrations or abrasive surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A kit for an electro-surgical cauterizing instrument comprising a hollow handle, an electrode insertable in and removable from said handle, an electrical fitting in said handle, said handle having electrical contacts in its interior to establish electrical connection with said electrode when said electrode is inserted in said handle, an elongated . .core.!. .Iadd.cord .Iaddend.connected to said contacts inside said handle and extending out one end of said handle, a terminal on the end of said cord remote from said handle for electrical connection to a cauterizing machine, a holder formed with a sheath to receive said electrode and handle and having one closed end, said handle with said electrode inserted therein being insertable in and removable from said holder and said electrode being protected from electrical and germ contact with the exterior when inserted in said holder, said holder being substantially larger than said handle, a flange on the open end of said sheath opposite said closed end, said flange formed with means for attachment of said holder to a surgical drape, and an envelope to maintain said handle, electrode and holder sterile until said envelope is opened, said electrode being inserted into said handle and electrically connected to said contacts, said electrode and the end of said handle adjacent said electrode being positioned inside said sheath, most of said cord being inside said sheath, said terminal being exposed immediately outside said sheath, said envelope enclosing the assembly of holder, handle, . .core.!. .Iadd.cord .Iaddend.and terminal. 
     
     
       2. A kit according to claim 1 in which said flange is formed with a boss having a notch for use in cleaning the point of said electrode, said flange being formed with at least one slot into which said cord may be anchored, said flange being formed with a tab hinged thereto, said tab being formed with transverse serrations for use in cleaning said electrode. .Iadd.3. A kit for an electro-surgical cauterizing instrument comprising a handle, an electrode in said handle, an elongated cord connected to said electrode inside said handle and extending out one end of said handle, a terminal on the end of said cord remote from said handle for electrical connection to a cauterizing machine, a holder formed with a sheath to receive said electrode and handle and having one closed end, said handle with said electrode inserted therein being insertable in and removable from said holder and said electrode being protected from electrical and germ contact with the exterior when inserted in said holder, a flange on the open end of said sheath opposite said closed end, said flange formed with means for attachment of said holder to a surgical drape, and an envelope to maintain said handle, electrode and holder sterile until said envelope is opened, said electrode and the end of said handle adjacent said electrode being positioned inside said sheath, most of said cord being inside said sheath, said terminal being exposed immediately outside said sheath, said envelope enclosing the assembly of holder, handle, cord and terminal. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 4. A kit for an electro-surgical cauterizing instrument comprising a handle, an electrode in said handle, an elongated cord connected to said electrode inside said handle and extending out one end of said handle, a terminal on the end of said cord remote from said handle for electrical connection to a cauterizing machine, a holder formed with a sheath shaped to receive said electrode and handle and having one closed end, said handle with said electrode being insertable in and removable from said holder and said electrode being protected from electrical and germ contact with the exterior when inserted in said holder, a flange on the open end of said sheath opposite said closed end, said flange having means for attachment of said holder to a surgical drape, said sheath having an entrance of sufficiently larger diameter than the handle which facilitates insertion of said electrode and said handle into said sheath, the internal cross-section of said sheath being substantially greater than the external cross-section of said handle so that said instrument drops easily into said sheath between uses of said instrument, and an envelope to maintain said handle, electrode and holder sterile until said envelope is opened, said envelope enclosing the assembly of holder, handle, electrode, cord and terminal in a sterile atmosphere. .Iaddend.