Surgical tool

US8382791B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Penn State Research Foundation · US

Inventors

• Mary Frecker · State College, US
• Abraham Mathew · Hershey, US
• Eric Pauli · Hummelstown, US
• Andrew Rau · Greenville, US
• Jeffrey Kingston · The Bronx, US
• Greg Hayes · Pipersville, US
• Andrew Baranak · Doylestown, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 30, 2010
• Grant date: Feb 26, 2013
• Expiry date: Apr 30, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/294
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Recent advances in minimally invasive surgical procedures have created a demand for smaller scale tools with improved performance characteristics. Attempts to scale down modern tools to the meso level (1-5 mm) have caused severe performance losses. Surgical tools of the present invention provide significant improvements in operable range and force application for both grasping and spreading when compared to currently used endoscopic forceps. This is achieved by using two actuators that separately control the spreading and grasping functions of the surgical tool.