Trigger assembly for tympanostomy tube delivery device
First Claim
1. An apparatus, comprising:
- a handpiece;
a shaft assembly extending from the handpiece and including a plurality of coaxially arranged shafts;
a drive assembly configured to drive the plurality of coaxially arranged shafts in a predetermined sequence to deploy a tympanostomy tube;
a trigger assembly including;
a linkage including two pivoting links, a first link of the two pivoting links having (i) a first end rotatably coupled to a second link of the two pivoting links, and (ii) a second end releasably engaged with the drive assembly to prevent movement of the drive assembly; and
a trigger element configured to pivot the two pivoting links to disengage the first link from the drive assembly to activate the drive assembly; and
a dampening system including a first and second components disposed within an outer surface of the handpiece and configured to contact one another in response to the first link being disengaged from the drive assembly to dissipate energy when the drive assembly drives the plurality of coaxially arranged shafts.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A tympanostomy tube delivery device comprises a shaft assembly, a pressure equalization tube, and a trigger assembly. The shaft assembly comprises a cannula and a pusher operable to translate relative to the cannula. The pressure equalization tube is positioned within the shaft assembly. The pusher is operable to drive the pressure equalization tube out of the shaft assembly. The trigger assembly includes a pair of pushbuttons and a linkage. The pushbuttons are secured to the device via living hinges and are selectively pivotable. The linkage is configured to engage the delivery device to thereby selectively prevent actuation of the delivery device. The pivoting of one or both the pushbuttons is configured cause the linkage to collapse so as to disengage the delivery device and thereby actuate the delivery device.
235 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus, comprising:
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a handpiece; a shaft assembly extending from the handpiece and including a plurality of coaxially arranged shafts; a drive assembly configured to drive the plurality of coaxially arranged shafts in a predetermined sequence to deploy a tympanostomy tube; a trigger assembly including; a linkage including two pivoting links, a first link of the two pivoting links having (i) a first end rotatably coupled to a second link of the two pivoting links, and (ii) a second end releasably engaged with the drive assembly to prevent movement of the drive assembly; and a trigger element configured to pivot the two pivoting links to disengage the first link from the drive assembly to activate the drive assembly; and a dampening system including a first and second components disposed within an outer surface of the handpiece and configured to contact one another in response to the first link being disengaged from the drive assembly to dissipate energy when the drive assembly drives the plurality of coaxially arranged shafts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus, comprising:
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a handpiece; a shaft assembly extending from the handpiece and including a plurality of coaxially arranged shafts; a drive assembly configured to drive the plurality of coaxially arranged shafts in a predetermined sequence to deploy a tympanostomy tube; and a trigger assembly including; a linkage including two pivoting links, a first link of the two pivoting links releasably engaged with the drive assembly to prevent movement of the drive assembly; and a trigger element configured to pivot the linkage to disengage the first link from the drive assembly such that the drive assembly drives the plurality of coaxially arranged shafts in the predetermined sequence to deploy the tympanostomy tube. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 20)
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14. An apparatus, comprising:
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a handpiece; a shaft assembly extending from the handpiece and including a plurality of coaxially arranged shafts; a drive assembly configured to drive the plurality of coaxially arranged shafts in a predetermined sequence to deploy a tympanostomy tube; and a trigger assembly including; a linkage including two pivoting links, a first link of the two pivoting links releasably engaged with the drive assembly to prevent movement of the drive assembly; and a trigger element configured to move in a direction having a non-zero angle with respect to a plane including the two pivoting links to cause the two pivoting links to pivot relative to each other within the plane such that the first link disengages from the drive assembly. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification