METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARTICULATING THE WRIST OF A LAPAROSCOPIC GRASPING INSTRUMENT
First Claim
1. A laparoscopic grasping instrument, comprising:
- an elongated shaft having a set of opposing jaws associated with a distal end thereof and a handle associated with a proximal end thereof;
an articulation wrist positioned between said shaft and said jaw set for effecting movement of said jaws relative to said shaft as desired, both left and right, from centerline, said articulation wrist comprising;
an actuator associated with said handle;
at least one force transfer member for translating user operation of said actuator into movement of said jaws to control the degree of articulation of said instrument; and
an articulation wrist comprising a set of pivotal vertebra that are connected to each other, wherein each vertebra is adapted to pivot left and right from centerline in relation to any of said shaft and said jaw set.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical instrument has a set of opposing jaws that can be articulated, both left and right, from centerline. The instrument has a proper bend radius and support for the jaw actuation member and cutter driving member. The bendable support for the drive members comprises tightly wound coil springs. Another embodiment of the invention controls the degree of articulation at the handle of the laparoscopic instrument. A further embodiment of the invention incorporates a locking mechanism to prevent motion of the wrist while the user performs other operations on the device. The locking mechanism also includes an indexing feature with which the user can index and choose the necessary amount of angle between preset angles.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A laparoscopic grasping instrument, comprising:
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an elongated shaft having a set of opposing jaws associated with a distal end thereof and a handle associated with a proximal end thereof; an articulation wrist positioned between said shaft and said jaw set for effecting movement of said jaws relative to said shaft as desired, both left and right, from centerline, said articulation wrist comprising; an actuator associated with said handle; at least one force transfer member for translating user operation of said actuator into movement of said jaws to control the degree of articulation of said instrument; and an articulation wrist comprising a set of pivotal vertebra that are connected to each other, wherein each vertebra is adapted to pivot left and right from centerline in relation to any of said shaft and said jaw set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification