Single or limited use device designs

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to an electrosurgical system. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to output electrosurgical energy and including a receptacle having at least one mechanical interface. The system also includes an electrosurgical instrument adapted to connect to the electrosurgical generator and configured to deliver energy to tissue. Further, a plug is provided to engage the receptacle to electrically couple the electrosurgical instrument to the electrosurgical generator. The plug includes a terminal electrically coupled to the electrosurgical instrument and a prong electrically coupled to the terminal that includes a recess defined therein and is configured to receive the at least one mechanical interface. When the plug is disengaged from the receptacle, the at least one mechanical interface cooperates with the recess to uncouple the prong from the terminal.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A plug configured to engage a receptacle of an electrosurgical generator, the plug comprising:
 a terminal adapted to be electrically coupled to an electrosurgical instrument; and   a prong electrically coupled to the terminal, the prong including a recess defined therein and configured to receive at least one mechanical interface of the receptacle,   wherein, when the plug is disengaged from a receptacle of the electrosurgical generator, the recess cooperates with the at least one mechanical interface to uncouple the prong from the terminal.   
     
     
         13 . The plug according to  claim 12 , wherein the prong includes a pair of contacts that are electrically coupled to the terminal. 
     
     
         14 . The plug according to  claim 13 , wherein the prongs are biased in a spaced apart configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The plug according to  claim 14 , further comprising at least one tab defined therein wherein, upon disengagement of the plug from a receptacle, the pair of contacts move proximally relative to the at least one tab thereby breaking the electrical coupling between the terminal and the prong. 
     
     
         16 . The plug according to  claim 12 , further comprising a chamber defined therein filled with a conductive medium that provides electrical continuity between the terminal and the prong and wherein a distal end of the prong seals the chamber. 
     
     
         17 . The plug according to  claim 16 , wherein, upon disengagement of the plug from a receptacle, the conductive medium is released from the chamber thereby eliminating electrical continuity between the terminal and the prong and preventing further use of the electrosurgical instrument. 
     
     
         18 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 16 , wherein the conductive medium is argon. 
     
     
         19 . A plug configured to engage a receptacle of an electrosurgical generator, the plug comprising:
 a conduit adapted to be electrically coupled to an electrosurgical instrument;   a prong configured to be electrically coupled to a receptacle; and   a fuse electrically coupling the conduit to the prong,   
       wherein, when the plug is disengaged from a receptacle a predetermined number of times, the fuse breaks thereby uncoupling the prong from the conduit. 
     
     
         20 . The electrosurgical system according to  claim 19 , wherein the fuse is a wire.