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Hydraulically operated surgical instrument

  • US 4,848,338 A
  • Filed: 06/20/1988
  • Issued: 07/18/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1987
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A hydraulically operated surgical instrument comprising:

  • a frame;

    a jaw assembly including an hollow tubular outer elongate member having a central axis, first and second opposite ends, and a first jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from said first end; and

    an inner elongate member within and extending from the first end of said outer elongate member and having a second jaw member fixed to and generally radially projecting from its end adjacent said first jaw member;

    means for mounting said jaw assembly on said frame with said first and second jaw members in opposed relationship while affording manual rotation of said jaw assembly about said axis relative to said frame; and

    manually actuatable hydraulic means for causing relative movement between said outer and inner elongate members between an open position with said jaw members spaced from each other, and a closed position with said jaw members closely adjacent each other including reusable force-limiting means for preventing hydraulic pressure from exceeding a predetermined pressure to limit the force that can be applied between said jaw members when said jaw members are moved toward said closed position by manual activation of said hydraulic means, the reusable force-limiting means comprising a spring-biased pressure relief piston closing a portion of the hydraulic means, and movable at the predetermined hydraulic pressure against the spring-bias from a normal position to a relief position for relieving hydraulic pressure to limit the force applied between the jaw members.

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