Endoscopic instrument system and method
US5571137A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 17, 1994 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 17, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/2931
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoscopic instrument system which includes a handle portion with a scissors grip, a shaft extending from the scissors grip and shaped to extend through a cannula, and a plurality of disposable end tools, each mountable on the end of the shaft and actuatable by the scissors handle. In a preferred embodiment, the scissors handle actuates a rod extending through the shaft which is connected to the end tool. The end tool includes a pair of jaws pivotally mounted on the support and connected to a reciprocating stub shaft by links. The stub shaft is connected to the actuating rod of the handle portion so that movement of the scissors handle causes the jaws to pivot relative to each other. The end tool may take the form of a scissor, grasper, biopsy or dissector, depending upon the specific shape of the jaws. An advantage of the invention is that the support of the end tools is made of a relatively inexpensive plastic material such that the end tools may be discarded when the jaws become dull, thus obviating the need for repeated cleaning and sharpening and eliminating the most difficult portion to clean.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.