Articulating steerable clip applier for laparoscopic procedures
US9918715B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 23, 2014 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 11, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2017/00323
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A long articulating steerable clip applier affixed to a user-operated handle. A surgical jaw assembly is attached to the other end of the clip applier. The clip applier is composed of articulating phalanges that are connected end to end by pivoting links and capable of angulations relative to one another when subjected to a tensile force. Each phalange has opposing s-shaped exterior grooves that form two continuous spiral-shaped channels for holding tension wires once the phalanges are assembled. Multiple tension wires are attached to opposite ends of adjacent phalanges. When each wire is pulled, this tensile force causes the phalanges to pivot at equivalent angles with each other. As each individual phalange pivots by an equivalent angle, the sum of these angles causes the free end of the clip applier to pivot by a large angle or a cascading actuation effect.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.