Surgical Forceps Including Belt Blade Reverser Mechanism

• US 20110218530A1
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Reschke, Arlen J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,808,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/52
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/28 Surgical forceps for holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221; surgical scissors A61B17/3201 ; obstetrical forceps A61B17/44; for inserting intraocular lenses A61F2/1662; hand-held gripping tools in general B25B7/00 ]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws

Abstract

A forceps includes first and second shafts having a jaw connected thereto. At least one jaw is moveable from an open to a closed position and includes a blade slot extending therealong configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. An actuation assembly is disposed within one shaft and is configured for translating the blade between retracted and extended positions. The blade extends at least partially through the blade slot in the extended position. The actuation assembly includes an actuator engaged to a belt disposed within the shaft. The belt is configured for rotation about at least one pulley. A blade holder having the blade connected thereto is engaged to the belt. The blade holder defines a pre-determined load limit that, when exceeded, disengages the blade holder from the belt. Translating the actuator proximally translates the blade distally to the extended position when the blade holder is engaged to the belt.

Claims

1. A forceps, comprising:

first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members including a blade slot extending longitudinally therealong, the blade slot configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough; and

an actuation assembly disposed within one of the shaft members, the actuation assembly configured for selectively translating the blade between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the blade extends at least partially through the blade slot in the extended position, the actuation assembly including;

an actuator extending from the shaft member, the actuator mechanically engaged to a belt disposed within the shaft, the belt configured for rotation about at least one pulley;

a blade holder mechanically engaged to the belt and having the blade disposed at a distal end thereof, the blade holder defining a pre-determined load limit wherein, when a force on the blade exceeds the pre-determined load limit, the blade holder is disengaged from the belt; and

wherein translating the actuator proximally translates the blade distally to the extended position when the blade holder is engaged to the belt.

2. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the belt includes an actuator mounting portion for engagement of the actuator thereon.

3. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the belt includes a blade holder mounting portion for engagement of the blade holder thereon.

4. The forceps according to claim 3, wherein the blade holder mounting portion defines a pre-determined load limit and wherein when a force on the blade exceeds the pre-determined load limit, the blade holder mounting portion disengages the blade holder from the belt such that translating the actuator proximally no longer translates the blade distally.

5. The forceps according to claim 1, further comprising at least one biasing member for biasing the blade in the retracted position.

6. The forceps according to claim 1, further comprising a return biasing member coupled to the blade holder for returning the blade back to the retracted position.

7. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pulley is rotatably mounted within the shaft.

8. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the belt is formed at least partially from an elastic material.

9. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the belt is formed from reinforced silicon.

10. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the belt includes a plurality of notches disposed thereon for engaging at least one of the actuator and the blade holder.

11. The forceps according to claim 1, wherein the actuation assembly includes two pulleys, each pulley having a different diameter.

12. A forceps, comprising:

first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members including a blade slot extending longitudinally therealong, the blade slot configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough; and

an actuation assembly disposed within one of the shaft members, the actuation assembly configured for selectively translating the blade between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the blade extends at least partially through the blade slot in the extended position, the actuation assembly including;

an actuator extending from the shaft member, the actuator mechanically engaged to a belt disposed within the shaft member, the belt configured for rotation about at least one pulley;

a blade holder mechanically engaged to the belt and having the blade disposed at a distal end thereof; and

a biasing mechanism coupled to the actuator, the biasing member biasing the actuator toward a proximal position and the blade toward the retracted position, wherein translating the actuator proximally translates the blade distally to the extended position.

13. The forceps according to claim 12, wherein the at least one pulley is rotatably mounted within the shaft.

14. The forceps according to claim 12, wherein the belt is formed at least partially from an elastic material.

15. The forceps according to claim 12, wherein the belt is formed from reinforced silicon.

16. The forceps according to claim 12, wherein the belt includes a plurality of notches disposed thereon for engaging at least one of the actuator and the blade holder.

17. An electrosurgical system, comprising:

a generator;

a forceps, the forceps comprising;

first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, at least one of the jaw members moveable from an open position to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members including a blade slot extending longitudinally therealong, the blade slot configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough, the first jaw member connected to the generator for providing a first electrical potential and the second jaw member connected to the generator for providing a second electrical potential; and

an actuation assembly disposed within one of the shaft members, the actuation assembly configured for selectively translating the blade between a retracted position and an extended position wherein the blade extends at least partially through the blade slot in the extended position, the actuation assembly including;

an actuator extending from the shaft member, the actuator mechanically engaged to a belt disposed within the shaft, the belt configured for rotation about at least one pulley;

a blade holder mechanically engaged to the belt and having the blade disposed at a distal end thereof, the blade holder defining a pre-determined load limit wherein, when a force on the blade exceeds the pre-determined load limit, the blade holder is disengaged from the belt; and

wherein translating the actuator proximally translates the blade distally to the extended position when the blade holder is engaged to the belt.