System and method for releasably holding a surgical instrument

• US 20030130648A1
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SRI International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SRI International, Inc.
• Inventors: Jensen, Joel F., Hill, John W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,204,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/305 Details of wrist mechanisms at distal ends of robotic arms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/506 using a parallelogram linkage, e.g. panthograph
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/35 for telesurgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/70 Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/04 with provision for the remote detachment or exchange of the head or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 18/04 rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1065 with parallelograms
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/69 Redundant disconnection blocking means
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/71 Blocking disengagement of catches or keys

Abstract

The invention is directed to a system and method for releasably holding a surgical instrument (14), such as an endoscopic instrument configured for delivery through a small percutaneous penetration in a patient. The instrument comprises an elongate shaft (100) with a pair of mounting pins (116) laterally extending from the shaft between its proximal and distal ends. An instrument holder comprises a support having a central bore (202) and an axially extending slot (204) for receiving the instrument shaft and the mounting pins. A pair of locking slots (206) are cut into the support transversely to and in communication with the axial slot so that the mounting pins can be rotated within the locking slots. The instrument support further includes a latch assembly for automatically locking the mounting pins within the locking slots to releasably couple the instrument to the instrument holder. With this twist-lock motion, the surgeon can rapidly engage and disengage various instruments from the holder during a surgical procedure, such as open surgery, laparoscopy or thoracoscopy.

Claims

1. A device for use in releasably holding a surgical instrument comprising a shaft, said shaft having a mounting means, said mounting means being affixed to and forming a protrusion extending radially from said shaft, said device comprising:

a body with first and second ends and an axial passage therebetween for receiving said shaft, said body defining

a first shaped hole in said first end in communication with said axial passage for receiving said protrusion, and

a second shaped hole, transverse to and in communication with the first hole, between the first and second ends of the body, the second hole being sized to receive said shaft and said protrusion such that said protrusion can be rotated within said second hole; and

means, coupled to said body, for locking said protrusion within said second hole thereby releasably locking the instrument to the body.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for releasing said locking means so that said protrusion can be rotated within said second hole into alignment with said first hole, thereby releasing the instrument from the body.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises a latch assembly having a latch movably disposed within said body between a first position, where said protrusion freely rotates within said second hole, and a second position, where said latch at least partially blocks rotation of said protrusion within said second hole to thereby prevent said protrusion from rotating into alignment with said first hole.