Surgical instrument with extended reach for use in minimally invasive surgery
US6312435A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Nov 6, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/506
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improved surgical instrument, which can advantageously be used in the field of minimally invasive surgery, is provided. A method of performing a surgical procedure with such an improved surgical instrument is also provided. The improved surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft defining opposed ends. An end effector is mounted on one of the ends of the shaft. The end effector has at least one finger pivotally connected at the one end of the shaft selectively to be displaceable angularly about an end effector pivot axis at the one end of the shaft, such that a free end of the finger is displaceable about the end effector pivot axis. The finger has a length, defined between its free end and the end effector pivot axis, of at least 18 mm.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.