Patent ID: 8100902

Claim:
An electrocautery blade assembly configured for selective, removable connection to an electrosurgical device and being capable of transmitting electrosurgical energy, the electrocautery blade assembly comprising: an electrocautery blade including a proximal end supportable in a housing of the electrosurgical device and a distal end extending distally from the housing, the electrocautery blade being selectively electrically connectable with a terminal of the electrosurgical device for connection to an electrosurgical generator; a sheath system supporting the electrocautery blade therein, the sheath system being configured to selectively cover and expose the distal end of the electrocautery blade, the sheath system comprising: a hub including a body portion defining a lumen therethrough; a sheath including a body portion defining a lumen therethrough, the lumen of the sheath being configured and dimensioned to operatively receive the electrocautery blade therein, the sheath being translatably associated with the hub such that rotation of the hub in a first direction results in axial movement of the sheath in a first direction to expose the distal end of the electrocautery blade and rotation of the hub in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, results in axial movement of the sheath in a second direction to cover the distal end of the electrocautery blade; and a collar configured and dimensioned to support the electrocautery blade, wherein each of the distal end and the proximal end of the electrocautery blade extends from a respective distal and proximal end of the collar, wherein at least a portion of the collar is rotatably supported in the body portion of the hub, and wherein a portion of the collar is disposed in the lumen of the sheath.