Surgical instrument connectors and related methods

US10869659B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Medos International Sarl · CH

Inventors

• Daniel Thommen · Liestal, CH
• Eric Buehlmann · Duxbury, US
• Joern Richter · Kandern, DE
• Peter Senn · Waldenburg, CH
• Veronique Christine Zollmann · Gebenstorf, CH
• Thomas Gamache · Raynham, US
• William J. Kane · Newport Beach, US
• Joseph Amaral · Rehoboth, US
• John Pracyk · Cumberland, US
• Bill Horton · Chandler, US
• John A. Wright · Billerica, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 18, 2017
• Grant date: Dec 22, 2020
• Expiry date: Dec 24, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61F2002/4635
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Connectors for connecting or linking one instrument or object to one or more other instruments or objects are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a connector can include a first arm with a first attachment feature for attaching to a first object, such as a surgical access device, and a second arm with a second attachment feature for attaching to a second object, such as a support. The connector can have an unlocked state, in which the position and orientation of the access device can be adjusted relative to the support, and a locked state in which movement of the access device relative to the support is prevented or limited. Locking the connector can also be effective to clamp or otherwise attach the connector to the access device and the support, or said attachment can be independent of the locking of the connector.