Device or apparatus for manipulating matter

• US 5,486,183 A
• Filed: 10/09/1991
• Issued: 01/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Raychem Limited (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Jervis, James E., Van Dyk, Karl, Pyka, Walter R., Poncet, Philippe, Buhler, Michael, Middleman, Lee M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Burr, Edgar S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Application Number:
  US07/774,016
• Time in Patent Office: 1,567 Days
• Field of Search: 606/110, 606/111, 606/112, 606/113, 606/114, 606/127, 606/128
• US Class Current: 606/127
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0625 the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator A61B17/06109 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• 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 17/30 Surgical pincettes without pivotal connectionsfor holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; wound clamps A61B17/08 ; hand-held gripping tools without pivotal connections in general B25B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/10 Power sources therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00287 Bags for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00349 Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue A61B17/06066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 : one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0038 : Simultaneous actuation of two tools by pushing one button or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00455 : Orientation indicators, e.g. recess on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 : shape memory effect for prostheses A61F2210/0014
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 : Instruments for applying suture anchors for applying suture clamps, clips or locks A61B2017/0488
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 : Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle hollow suture needles A61B2017/061
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06171 : helically or spirally coiled for needles A61B2017/06076
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22072 : with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other in cannulas A61B17/3417
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 : with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/303 : with four or more legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320064 : with tissue or sample retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 : with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 : with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 : Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0019 : operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 9/00 : Hand-held gripping tools other than those covered by group B25B7/00 wrenches B25B13/00; specially adapted for watchmakers' or like use G04D
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 13/26 : with intermediate links between the grips and the blades, e.g. for remote actuation

Abstract

The present invention accordingly provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the shape memory alloy member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape-memory alloy member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature.

Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alloy member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus for manipulating matter at an intended manipulation temperature in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising:

(i) manipulator means at least partly constructed of an elongate shape memory alloy member, said shape memory alloy member having a distal end, said shape memory alloy member having two arms at said distal end thereof, said two arms having tips that approach but are not fixed to one another, said shape memory alloy member having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and

(ii) a barrier member spanning said two arms;

(iii) a hollow cannula initially holding the shape memory alloy member in a relatively straightened state, and

(iv) actuating means for extending the shape memory alloy member with said barrier member from the housing to manipulate matter within said space and for withdrawing the shape memory alloy member into the housing, the arrangement being such that the shape memory alloy member bends or twists pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at said manipulation temperature, and the shape memory alloy member becomes relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at said temperature.

2. A device or apparatus according to claim 1 which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the shape memory alloy member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said shape memory alloy member is disposed within said cannula oriented such that said manipulator means exits said cannula in a predetermined lateral orientation;

and the apparatus further comprises means for indicating said predetermined lateral orientation.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for preventing said manipulator means from rotating within said cannula.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the shape memory alloy member, is superelastic under the intended conditions of use.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member is composed of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is capable of more than 4% elastic deformation.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy member assumes a first shape in a substantially austenitic phase when extended from the cannula, and assumes a second shape containing more martensitic phase when withdrawn into the cannula.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the barrier member is sealable.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said manipulator means is at least partly constructed of a bent or twisted elongate shape memory alloy member.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drawstring for sealing the barrier member.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is capable of more than 1.5% elastic deformation.

13. A surgical device comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) an elastically deformable loop formed at least partially from a shape memory alloy wire and a barrier member disposed thereon, wherein said loop comprises two arms, each arm having a distal end and a proximal end, which distal ends approach, but are not fixed to each other; and

(c) means for reversibly moving the arms between a first position wherein they are constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the arms are unconstrained by the housing and assume an expanded memory shape, said proximal ends being attached to said means for moving anal said means being capable of withdrawing said arms into the housing independently of the barrier member.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein said means for moving comprises a drawstring.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the housing and the loop can be separated from the barrier member and drawstring means in use.

16. A device according to claim 13 including means for indicating the orientation of the elastically deformable loop when extended from the housing.

17. A device according to claim 13, including means for preventing elastically deformable loop from rotating within the housing or cannula.

18. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the deformable loop is composed of nickel-titanium shape memory alloy.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is capable of more than 4% elastic deformation.

20. A remotely operated surgical device comprising:

(a) an elongate housing;

(b) a retractor, the retractor comprising a deformable loop comprising two finger-shaped members, wherein a membrane spans an area between said two finger-shaped members; and

(c) means for projecting and retracting the retractor relative to the housing between a first position wherein the retractor is constrained within the housing, and a second position wherein the retractor is unconstrained by the housing and assumes an expanded memory shape.

21. A device according to claim 20 which comprises an endoscopic device, a catheter, or a laparoscopic device.