Surgical forceps
First Claim
1. A surgical forceps for engaging tissue in the body comprising:
- an elongate probe including an outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and an inner member movable within said outer probe member and having a proximal end and a distal end;
jaw means for engaging tissue including a first jaw coupled with said outer probe member distal end and a second jaw coupled with said inner probe member distal end and mounted for pivotal movement relative to said first jaw in response to movement of said inner probe member within said outer probe member;
handle means coupled with said outer probe member proximal end and said inner probe member proximal end for moving said inner probe member relative to said outer probe member and pivoting said second jaw relative to said first jaw, said handle means including hand grip members squeezable to impart a force to pivot said first jaw via movement of said inner probe member; and
force diverting means coupled with said handle means for diverting at least a portion of a force applied to said grip members from said jaw means when the applied force exceeds a predetermined force, said force diverting means including movable pivot means for pivotally mounting one of said grip members, said pivot means being automatically moved closer to the other of said grip members when the applied force exceeds said predetermined force.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical forceps particularly useful in least invasive surgery includes an elongate probe formed of an outer tubular member and an inner member movable in the outer probe member, stationary and movable jaws coupled with the distal ends, respectively, of the outer and inner probe members, and a handle squeezable to move the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw to rearwardly or forwardly cut tissue or grasp tissue. A force diverting mechanism is responsive to the force applied to the handle exceeding a predetermined force to provide the surgeon with an indication of the excessive force and protects the jaw components at the distal end of the surgical forceps. A suction passage is formed in the forceps for aspirating cut tissue and assisting the positioning of tissue between the jaws, and suction can be produced continuously or controlled via the handle. The handle includes locking and latching mechanisms to hold the jaws in a closed position.
232 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A surgical forceps for engaging tissue in the body comprising:
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an elongate probe including an outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and an inner member movable within said outer probe member and having a proximal end and a distal end; jaw means for engaging tissue including a first jaw coupled with said outer probe member distal end and a second jaw coupled with said inner probe member distal end and mounted for pivotal movement relative to said first jaw in response to movement of said inner probe member within said outer probe member; handle means coupled with said outer probe member proximal end and said inner probe member proximal end for moving said inner probe member relative to said outer probe member and pivoting said second jaw relative to said first jaw, said handle means including hand grip members squeezable to impart a force to pivot said first jaw via movement of said inner probe member; and force diverting means coupled with said handle means for diverting at least a portion of a force applied to said grip members from said jaw means when the applied force exceeds a predetermined force, said force diverting means including movable pivot means for pivotally mounting one of said grip members, said pivot means being automatically moved closer to the other of said grip members when the applied force exceeds said predetermined force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A surgical forceps for engaging tissue in the body comprising
an elongate probe including an outer tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end and an inner member movable within said outer probe member and having a proximal end and a distal end; -
jaw means for engaging tissue including a first jaw coupled with said outer probe member distal end and a second jaw coupled with said inner probe member distal end and mounted for pivotal movement relative to said first jaw in response to movement of said inner probe member within said outer probe member; handle means coupled with said outer probe member proximal end and said inner probe member proximal end to moving said inner probe member relative to said outer probe member and pivoting said second jaw relative to said first jaw, said handle means including hand grip members squeezable to impart a force to pivot said first jaw via movement of said inner probe member; and force diverting means coupled with said handle means for diverting at least a portion of a force applied to said grip members from said jaw means when the applied force exceeds a predetermined force, said force diverting means including movable pivot means for pivotally mounting one of said grip members, said pivot means including a pivot pin and being movable when the applied force exceeds said predetermined force, said force diverting means including means for biasing said pivot pin away from the other of said grip members with a force corresponding to said predetermined force and permitting said pivot pin to move against said bias means when the applied force exceeds said predetermined force, said force diverting means being coupled with said grip members for providing a tactile indication, via said grip members, of the applied force exceeding said predetermined force. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A surgical forceps for engaging tissue in the body comprising
an elongate probe having a distal end and a proximal end; -
jaw means mounted on said probe distal end for movement between an open position and a closed position to engage tissue; handle means coupled with said probe proximal end and including a handle body and first and second hand grip members extending from said handle body, one of said hand grip members being movable relative to said handle body and the other of said hand grip members for moving said jaw means between said open and closed positions; and locking means carried by said handle body for selectively locking said jaw means in said closed position, said handle body including track means for guiding movement of said locking means to said locked position and said locking means including a pin having opposing ends received in said track means, said locking means being selectively movable in said handle body to a locked position engaging said handle body and only one of said grip members, said locking means being movable to said locked position only when said jaw means is in said closed position, said handle means including means for preventing movement of said locking means to said locked position when said jaw means is not in said closed position and latch means for securing said locking means in said locked position.
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Specification