LIQUID-JET SCALPEL

• US 20130116716A1
• Filed: 11/07/2012
• Published: 05/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft- Und Raumfahrt E.V.
• Original Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum Fuer Luft- Und Raumfahrt E.V.
• Inventors: Bahls, Thomas, Froehlich, Florian Alexander, Lantermann, Sophie
• Application Number:
  US13/670,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20130116716A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• 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 2017/2908 Multiple segments connected by articulations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320044 Blunt dissectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 Surgical robots

Abstract

A liquid-jet scalpel for minimally invasive surgery, comprising a nozzle for ejecting a liquid jet, and a functional end effector for manipulating tissue at the surgical site.

Claims

1. A liquid-jet scalpel for minimally invasive surgery, comprising

a nozzle for ejecting a liquid jet, and

a functional end effector for manipulating tissue at the surgical site.

2. The liquid-jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the functional end effector is a gripper, a pair of scissors, a stapler, each with or without an integrated mono- or bipolar electrocauter or another surgical instrument.

3. The liquid-jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the liquid-jet scalpel has a suction device at its distal end for sucking liquid and ablated tissue from the surgical site.

4. The liquid-jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is attached to the distal end of the liquid-jet scalpel via a joint having at least one degree of freedom, in particular at least two degrees of freedom.

5. The liquid-jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises two end effector arms and the nozzle is arranged between these end effector arms, the nozzle in particular extending through the joint and being guided by an element pivotable by means of the joint, so that the direction of the liquid jet can be changed by pivoting the joint.

6. The liquid-jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises two end effectors and the suction device is arranged at one end effector arm, while the nozzle is provided at the other end effector arm, or the nozzle and the suction device are arranged at the same end effector arm.

7. The liquid-jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises two end effector arms, each having a spreader element so that tissue at the surgical site can be pushed apart by spreading the end effector arms.

8. The liquid jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the nozzle and the suction device are adapted to be withdrawn, when not in use, in the proximal direction of the liquid-jet scalpel so that they do not impede the movement of the end effector.

9. The liquid-jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the nozzle and/or the suction device are guided past the hinge and in particular past a shaft at the distal end of which the end effector is fastened, and thus do not extend through the hinge or the shaft, the nozzle and/or the suction device preferably having a roughened surface at their distal end so that they can be gripped and oriented reliably by the end effector.

10. The liquid-jet scalpel of claim 1, wherein the nozzle and the suction device are arranged coaxially with respect to each other and are designed in a rotational symmetrical manner so that the joint only has one degree of freedom.