Medical devices having multiple blades and methods of use

US11291514B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC. · US

Inventors

• Christina J. Shuh · Snohomish, US
• Ralph Wadensweiler · Sunnyvale, US
• Kyle R. Miller · San Jose, US
• Jeffrey Smith · Petaluma, US
• Glenn Stante · Turlock, US
• Markus Rheinwald · Kaufering, DE
• Hubert Stein · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 13, 2019
• Grant date: Apr 5, 2022
• Expiry date: Jun 18, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/371
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A medical device includes a clevis, a first blade, a second blade, and a tension member. The first and second blades are rotatably coupled to the clevis. The first blade includes a first coupling portion. The tension member is coupled to the first blade and applies a torque to the first blade to rotate the first blade about the clevis between a first, second, and third orientation. The second blade includes a second coupling portion. The second coupling portion is coupled to the first coupling portion such that A) the second blade remains in a fixed position relative to the clevis when the first blade is between the first and second orientation, and B) rotation of the first retractor blade between the second and third orientation transfers at least a portion of the torque to the second retractor blade causing rotation of the second blade about the clevis.