Arthroscopic surgical instruments
First Claim
1. An arthroscopic surgical instrument comprising:
- a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end;
b) end effector means of a first strength coupled to said distal end of said hollow tube;
c) actuating means for actuating said end effector means, said actuating means coupled to said proximal end of said hollow tube;
d) connector means for coupling said end effector means with said actuating means such that actuation of said actuating means results in movement of said end effector means, said connector means including a substantially cylindrical push rod having a flattened plate-like frangible link portion having at least two opposite flat substantially parallel surfaces, and coupling means of a second strength for coupling said push rod to said end effector means, wherein said frangible link has a third strength which is weaker than said first and second strengths, such that application of a force applied to said end effector means by said actuating means via said connector means causes said frangible link portion of said push rod to break prior to one of said end effector means and said coupling means breaking.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disposable arthroscopic surgical instrument includes a hollow tube with a manual actuator coupled to its proximal end and an end effector coupled to its distal end. The actuator and the end effector are coupled by a push rod which passes through the hollow tube and the push rod includes a frangible link so that the push rod will break when a predetermined force is applied to the end effector by the actuator. The frangible link is a flattened portion of the cylindrical push rod having a strength reducing throughbore. An end effector having a stationary jaw and a movable jaw is also disclosed. The stationary jaw is coupled to the distal end of the tube and has a throughbore for receiving the push rod. The movable jaw is coupled to push rod and is pivotally coupled to the stationary jaw by arcuate engaging surfaces on both jaws. The movable jaw preferably includes a pair of arcuate grooves while the stationary jaw has a pair of arcuate flanges which engage the grooves on the movable jaw. The movable jaw is also provided with a knife-like edge and the stationary jaw is provided with a receiving opening into which the movable jaw fits when the jaws are in a closed position.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An arthroscopic surgical instrument comprising:
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a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end; b) end effector means of a first strength coupled to said distal end of said hollow tube; c) actuating means for actuating said end effector means, said actuating means coupled to said proximal end of said hollow tube; d) connector means for coupling said end effector means with said actuating means such that actuation of said actuating means results in movement of said end effector means, said connector means including a substantially cylindrical push rod having a flattened plate-like frangible link portion having at least two opposite flat substantially parallel surfaces, and coupling means of a second strength for coupling said push rod to said end effector means, wherein said frangible link has a third strength which is weaker than said first and second strengths, such that application of a force applied to said end effector means by said actuating means via said connector means causes said frangible link portion of said push rod to break prior to one of said end effector means and said coupling means breaking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An arthroscopic surgical instrument, comprising:
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a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end; b) actuating means coupled to said proximal end of said tube; c) a stationary jaw having a shank coupled to said distal end of said tube; d) a movable jaw pivotally coupled to said stationary jaw, wherein said stationary jaw has a first arcuate engaging surface comprises one of a flange and a groove for engaging said movable jaw, and said movable jaw has a second arcuate engaging surface comprises the other of said flange and said groove for engaging said first arcuate engaging surface; and e) connector means disposed inside said hollow tube for coupling said movable jaw with said actuating means such that movement of said actuating means results in movement of said movable jaw. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An arthroscopic surgical instrument comprising:
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a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end; b) end effector means of a first strength coupled to said distal end of said hollow tube, said end effector means comprising a stationary jaw coupled to said distal end of said tube, and a movable jaw pivotally coupled to said stationary jaw, wherein said stationary jaw has a first arcuate engaging surface for engaging said movable jaw, and said movable jaw has a second arcuate engaging surface for engaging said first arcuate engaging surface; c) actuating means for actuating said end effector means, said actuating means coupled to said proximal end of said hollow tube; d) connector means for coupling said end effector means with said actuating means such that actuation of said actuating means results in movement of said end effector means, said connector means including a substantially cylindrical push rod having a flattened frangible link portion having a strength reducing throughbore therein, and coupling means of a second strength for coupling said push rod to said end effector means, wherein said frangible link has a third strength which is weaker then said first and second strengths, such that application of a force applied to said end effector means by said actuating means via said connector means causes said frangible link portion of said push rod to break prior to one of said end effector means and said coupling means breaking. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification