Observation assisting forceps

• US 4,909,789 A
• Filed: 03/24/1987
• Issued: 03/20/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Corporation Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Shiga, Akira, Taguchi, Akihiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, Carl Stuart
• Application Number:
  US07/029,571
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 604/103, 604/104, 604/105, 604/106, 604/107, 128/345, 128/343
• US Class Current: 604/107
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2215 having an open distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/301 with three legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/303 with four or more legs

Abstract

Observation assisting forceps wherein a shaft member is retractably inserted through a hollow sheath, a plurality of linear members given a characteristic of expanding on the tip sides are provided at the front end of this shaft member and spherical parts are provided at the tips of the respective linear members so that the linear members may be projected on the tip sides out of the sheath tip to move aside any organ or the like obstructing the observation with an endoscope.

Claims

1. Observation assisting forceps for assisting the observation with an endoscope provided with an observing means and an insertion part insertable into a body cavity comprising:

a hollow sheath;

a shaft-shaped member inserted through said sheath for extension therethrough into a maximum extended position and retraction therein into a maximum retracted position;

an operating part formed on the rear end side of said shaft-shaped member and having a shaft-shaped member moving means formed therein;

an observation assisting piece consisting of a plurality of linear members fitted in rear end bases to the front end side of said shaft-shaped member and given such characteristic as of expanding on the tip sides and substantially spherical parts formed at the tips of said respective linear members; and

a fixing means in said moving means for fixing said shaft-shaped member at selected positions intermediate said maximum extended position and said maximum retracted position in said hollow sheath.

2. Observation assisting forceps according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of linear members are given a characteristic of expanding in the same plane on the tip side.

3. Observation assisting forceps according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of linear members are given a characteristic of expanding in the courses to the tip parts and the tip parts are parallel with one another.

4. Observation assisting forceps according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of linear members are given a characteristic of three-dimensionally expanding to form a conical surface or polygonal conical surface.

6. Observation assisting forceps according to claim 1 wherein said sheath is of such inside diameter as can contain said plurality of linear members as bundled.

5. Observation assisting forceps for assisting the observation with an endoscope provided with an observing means and an insertion part insertable into a body cavity comprising:

a hollow sheath;

a shaft-shaped member inserted through said sheath for extension therethrough into a maximum extended position and retraction therein into a maximum retracted position;

an operating part formed on the rear end side of said shaft-shaped member and having a shaft-shaped member moving means formed therein;

an observation assisting piece consisting of a plurality of linear members fitted in the rear end bases to the front end side of said shaft-shaped member and given such characteristic as of expanding on the tip sides and substantially spherical parts formed at the tips of said respective linear members; and

a fixing means in said moving means for fixing said shaft-shaped member at selected positions intermediate said maximum extended position and said maximum retracted position in said hollow sheath, said moving means including a ratchet mechanism for fixing said shaft-shaped member in said selected positions.