SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, HANDLE FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM

• US 20110238044A1
• Filed: 12/04/2009
• Published: 09/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Surgical Innovations Limited
• Original Assignee: Surgical Innovations Limited
• Inventors: White, Michael, Main, David
• Application Number:
  US13/131,766
• Publication Number:
  US 20110238044A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess

Abstract

A surgical instrument (4), a handle (2) for use with the surgical instrument and a surgical instrument system are described. The surgical instrument and handle comprise complementary features to ensure a secure connection between the instrument and handle. hi one embodiment the instrument comprises an outer shaft (12), an inner shaft (14) and an operative portion. The outer shaft comprises opposed flat surfaces (16) allowing it to be engaged by the handle on the flat surfaces. The inner shaft comprises a latch surface (26) at its proximal end for engaging a latch mechanism in the handle. In other embodiments a radial bore (18) is provided in the outer shaft of the instrument. This can be engaged by an elongated member in the handle.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for use in minimally invasive surgery;

the instrument comprising;

an outer shaft having proximal and distal ends, a longitudinal axis and a through bore extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an inner shaft having proximal and distal ends, positioned within the through bore and extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the outer shaft; and

an operative portion comprising a first part attached to the distal end of the outer shaft and a second part attached to the distal end of the inner shaft;

wherein a portion of the outer shaft towards the proximal end of the outer shaft has an external surface comprising two opposed flat surfaces which are substantially parallel to each other; and

wherein the proximal end of the inner shaft comprises an end portion with a maximum external dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis greater than the maximum external dimension of an adjoining portion of the inner shaft, and wherein a latch surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis extends between the end portion and the adjoining portion.

2. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the end portion is curved such that the external dimension of the end portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis reduces towards the proximal end.

3. A surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the end portion is at least partially spherical.

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. A handle for use with a minimally invasive surgical instrument, the handle comprising:

a first handle part comprising a substantially cylindrical bore having a longitudinal axis for receiving a surgical instrument;

a second handle part attached to the first handle part for pivotal movement relative to the first handle part; and

wherein the first handle part further comprises a locking member extending through the substantially cylindrical bore that can be moved between first and second positions in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the locking member delimits an opening having a first portion with dimensions the same as or larger than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical bore and an adjoining second portion with at least one dimension smaller than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical bore, wherein in the first position the first portion is aligned with the substantially cylindrical bore and in the second position the second portion is aligned with the substantially cylindrical bore; and

wherein the first handle part further comprises a latch mechanism at the end of the substantially cylindrical bore.

9. A handle according to claim 8, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a latch member movable between first and second positions and wherein the latch member is biased in the first position by a resilient means, such that movement of the latch member into the second position is against a force exerted by the resilient means.

10. A handle according to claim 9, wherein the resilient means is a spring.

11. A handle according to claim 9, wherein the latch member comprises a surface angled relative to the longitudinal axis.

12. A handle according to claim 9, wherein the latch mechanism further comprises a release lever for moving the latch member into the second position.

13. (canceled)

14. A surgical instrument system for use in minimally invasive surgery, wherein the system comprises:

a surgical instrument comprising;

an outer shaft having proximal and distal ends, a longitudinal axis, and a through bore extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an inner shaft having proximal and distal ends positioned within the through bore and extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the outer shaft; and

an operative portion comprising a first part attached to the distal end of the outer shaft and a second part attached to the distal end of the inner shaft;

wherein

a portion of the outer shaft towards the proximal end of the outer shaft has an external surface comprising two opposed flat surfaces which are substantially parallel to each other; and

a handle comprising;

a first handle part comprising a substantially cylindrical bore for receiving a part of the outer shaft and the inner shaft;

a second handle part attached to the first handle part for pivotal movement relative to the first handle part; and

wherein

the first handle part further comprises a locking member extending through the substantially cylindrical bore that can be moved between first and second positions in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein the locking member delimits an opening having a first portion with dimensions the same as or larger than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical bore and an adjoining second portion with a dimension corresponding to the distance between the two opposed flat surfaces, wherein in the first position the first portion is aligned with the substantially cylindrical bore and in the second position the second portion is aligned with the substantially cylindrical bore such that when the proximal end of the surgical instrument is inserted into the substantially cylindrical bore and the locking member is moved into the second position, the two opposed flat surfaces are engaged by the second portion;

wherein the proximal end of the inner shaft of the surgical instrument comprises an end portion with a maximum external dimension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis greater than the maximum external dimension of an adjoining portion of the inner shaft, wherein a latch surface substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis extends between the end portion and the adjoining portion; and

wherein the first handle part further comprises a latch mechanism at the end of the substantially cylindrical bore for engaging the latch surface.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)