Patent ID: 7172592

Claim:
An electrocautery device for selectively providing electrical energy from an electrosurgical generator for alternatively searing and coagulating tissue of a patient during surgery, the electrocautery device having a blade and an electrical cable, the cable electrically connecting the blade to the electrosurgical generator, the electrocautery device comprising: a hollow main body, the hollow main body having a first aperture and a second aperture; vacuum means formed in the hollow main body for selectively providing a vacuum for removing any plume created while searing or coagulating tissue with the blade of the electrocautery device; at least one intake port formed in the hollow main body; a vacuum tubing extending into the hollow main body and fluidly connected to the intake port; a first button positioned within the first aperture of the hollow main body to selectively activate the electrical energy of the electrosurgical generator to sear tissue and to activate the vacuum means upon activation of the electrical energy, the first button having a first airway opening and a second airway opening; and a second button positioned within the second aperture of the hollow main body to selectively activate the electrical energy of the electrosurgical generator to coagulate tissue and to activate the vacuum means upon activation of the electrical energy, the second button having a third airway opening; wherein upon depression of the first button, the first airway opening aligns with the third airway opening to connect the intake port to the vacuum tubing upon activation of both the electrical energy and the vacuum means; and wherein upon depression of the second button, the second airway opening aligns with the third airway opening to connect the intake port to the vacuum tubing upon activation of both the electrical energy and the vacuum means.