Patent · US Expired

Endoscoptic surgical instrument with guided jaws and ratchet control

US5499998A · kind A · utility

181Cited by
9References
34Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 10, 1995
Grant dateMar 19, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 10, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B2017/294
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly with a detachable tool assembly is disclosed. The tool assembly comprises rotatable jaws having arc defining portions near their proximal ends which define arcs having arc centers displaced from the jaws. The jaws are coupled to the distal end of an inner rod which is longitudinally translatable within an outer sleeve. When the inner rod is translated, a guide member at the distal end of the outer sleeve contacts the arc defining portion of the jaws such that each jaw rotates about the center of its arc. The handle assembly comprises a trigger which engages a translation member on the inner rod. As the trigger is rotated, the translation member carries the inner rod back and forth to actuate the jaws. The translation member is coupled to the inner rod via a coupler having a spring which limits the closing force applied to the jaws. The instrument also includes a ratchet feature function which allows closing force to be applied to the jaws in increments and also allows the jaws to be held in a closed position at a desired closing force.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.