Laparoscopic Surgical Instrument
First Claim
1. A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, said laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising:
- an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, said handle comprising a wall structure defining an interior portion, and adapted to contain at least a portion of one or more working mechanisms;
an actuating mechanism actuatable by said surgeon and at least partially supported within said interior portion of said handle;
a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with said actuating mechanism, said working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by said surgeon; and
means for accessing said interior portion of said handle to expose an inner side of said wall structure and at least a portion of each of said working mechanisms for cleaning, sterilization and maintenance purposes.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, comprising: a) an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, the handle comprising a wall structure defining an interior portion, and adapted to contain at least a portion of one or more working mechanisms; b) an actuating mechanism actuatable by the surgeon and supported within the interior portion of the handle; c) a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with the actuating mechanism, the working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by the surgeon; and d) means for accessing the interior portion of the handle to expose an inner side of the wall structure and at least a portion of each of the working mechanisms for cleaning, sterilization and maintenance purposes.
416 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, said laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising:
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an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, said handle comprising a wall structure defining an interior portion, and adapted to contain at least a portion of one or more working mechanisms; an actuating mechanism actuatable by said surgeon and at least partially supported within said interior portion of said handle; a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with said actuating mechanism, said working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by said surgeon; and means for accessing said interior portion of said handle to expose an inner side of said wall structure and at least a portion of each of said working mechanisms for cleaning, sterilization and maintenance purposes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, said laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising:
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an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, said handle comprising a wall structure defining an interior portion, and adapted to contain at least a portion of one or more working mechanisms; an actuating mechanism actuatable by said surgeon and supported within said interior portion of said handle; a trigger assembly pivotally supported and operable with said ergonomic handle and said actuating mechanism, said trigger assembly comprising a trigger configured to receive at least one finger of said surgeon and an actuator that operates said actuating mechanism; a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with said actuating mechanism, said working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by said surgeon; and a locking mechanism that directly engages and locks said trigger assembly in one of a plurality of positions, said locking mechanism comprising a release located in an anthropometrically correct position.
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17. A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, said laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising:
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a handle operable with one or more working mechanisms; an actuating mechanism actuatable by said surgeon and supported by said handle; a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with said actuating mechanism, said working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by said surgeon; and a first trigger assembly pivotally supported by said handle and operable with said actuating mechanism, said first trigger assembly being selectively interchangeable with a second trigger assembly having a configuration different from said first trigger assembly. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method for cleaning and sterilizing a surgical instrument, said method comprising:
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obtaining a laparoscopic surgical instrument having a handle with a wall structure defining an interior portion adapted to contain at least a portion of one or more working mechanisms; accessing said interior portion of said handle to expose one or more surfaces of said interior and at least a portion of each of said working mechanisms; and cleaning and sterilizing said exposed surfaces and said working mechanisms to prepare said surgical instrument for subsequent use.
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Specification