Endoscopic instruments having detachable proximal handle and distal portions

• US 5,507,297 A
• Filed: 02/11/1993
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Symbiosis Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbiosis Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Kortenbach, Jurgen A., Cohen, Herbert, Slater, Charles R., Nunez, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GILBERT, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US08/016,596
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 128/4, 128/6, 128/749, 128/751, 128/754, 128/755, 606/207, 606/208, 606/205, 606/206, 16/114 R, 16/DIG. 12 , 16/DIG. 24, 7/167, 30/260, 74/557, 74/528, 74/527, 74/523, 74/525, 74/543, 74/545
• US Class Current: 600/564
• 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 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• 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 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0088 ceramic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2837 with a locking ratchet
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2926 Details of heads or jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00077 high, i.e. electrically conducting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1415 : multiple blades
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 : Scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0276 : Determining malfunction
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/041 : for drum-type indicating means
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 3/12 : for preventing incorrect actuation, e.g. for preventing falsification

Abstract

An endoscopic instrument has a distal assembly removable from a proximal handle. The distal assembly includes a tube carrying an end effector and a push rod coupled to the end effector and slidable through the tube. The proximal handle includes a tube sleeve for receiving the tube, an actuator and a latch for coupling the push rod to the actuator. The tube sleeve is provided with a tube lock for holding the tube securely in place and the tube is provided with a circumferential groove for engaging the lock. The latch is spring loaded, hinged, and has an inclined surface for quick coupling with the push rod. The latch also has a mechanism for uncoupling the latch from the push rod. The push rod is provided with a mating tip which engages the latch so that the actuator causes reciprocal movement of the push rod within the tube to operate the end effector. An axially movable collar on the tube sleeve is used in unlatching, and in one arrangement is also used for rotating the distal assembly.

Claims

1. An endoscopic instrument, comprising:

a) a distal portion; and

b) a proximal handle portion, wherein,

said distal portion includes

a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end, said proximal end of said tube provided with tube coupling means for coupling said hollow tube to said handle portion,

a rod extending at least partially through said hollow tube and having a proximal and a distal end, said proximal end of said rod provided with rod coupling means for coupling said rod to said handle portion,

an end effector coupled to said distal end of said tube and said distal end of said rod, and

wherein said handle portion includes,

a handle body, said handle body provided with handle coupling means for connecting with said tube coupling means to thereby couple said hollow tube to said handle body, said handle coupling means comprising a sleeve with a biased locking member and said tube coupling means connecting to said handle coupling means by inserting said tube into said sleeve until said biased locking member engages said tube coupling means;

actuating means for imparting reciprocal motion to said rod relative to said tube, said actuating means provided with actuator coupling means for connecting with said rod coupling means to thereby couple said rod to said actuating means.

2. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

said tube coupling means comprises a circumferential groove on said tube.

3. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 2, wherein:

said biased locking member comprises a ball lock, and

said tube coupling means connects to said handle coupling means by inserting said tube into said sleeve until said ball lock engages said groove.

4. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 3, wherein:

said sleeve includes a plurality of radial tapered bores and said ball lock comprises a plurality of ball bearings seated in said bores.

5. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 4, wherein:

said sleeve is provided with a collar surrounding said ball bearings, wherein said collar holds said ball bearings in said tapered bores.

6. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 5, wherein:

said collar is provided with a first surface portion having a proximally rising inclined surface.

7. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 6, wherein:

said collar is provided with a second surface portion proximal of said first surface portion, said second surface portion having a proximally falling inclined surface.

8. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 5, wherein:

said tube is provided with a proximal ferrule means for engaging said collar.

9. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 8, wherein:

said collar is provided with first engagement means for engaging said ferrule means when said collar is in a first position, and said ferrule means is provided with second engagement means for engaging said collar.

10. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 9, wherein:

said collar is rotatable around said sleeve,

said tube is rotatable within said sleeve, and

said ferrule means is rotationally fixed relative to said tube, wherein rotation of said collar in said first position results in rotation of said tube.

11. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 5, wherein:

said collar is provided with a stepped internal throughbore and is slidable relative to said sleeve such that sliding said collar from a locking position to a releasing position allows said ball bearings to partially exit said tapered bores.

12. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 11, wherein:

said collar is biased to said locking position.

13. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 12, wherein:

said sleeve is provided with a sliding internal bushing slidable from an extended position to a retracted position and biased to said extended position, wherein said bushing engages said ball bearings and presses said ball bearings partially out of said tapered bores.

14. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 13, wherein:

said bushing is moved from said extended position to said retracted position by said tube when said tube is inserted into said sleeve.

15. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 2, wherein:

said handle coupling means comprises said sliding blade and a sleeve having a longitudinal throughbore for receiving said tube and a diametrical throughbore for receiving a sliding blade, and

said sliding blade has a hole large enough to receive said tube and said sliding blade is slidable through said diametrical throughbore from a releasing position wherein said tube is slidable through said sleeve to a locking position wherein said blade engages said groove.

16. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 15, wherein:

said sliding blade is biased to said locking position.

17. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 16, wherein:

said handle coupling means includes a biased pin having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion,

said sliding blade is provided with a biased pin receiving means for receiving said biased pin,

said biased pin is movable from a first position wherein said large diameter portion engages said receiving means in said sliding blade when said blade is in said releasing position to a second position wherein said small diameter portion engages said receiving means in said sliding blade when said blade is in said locking position,

said biased pin being biased to said first position, and

said tube being provided with pin engagement means for moving said biased pin from said first position to said second position when said tube is slid through said sleeve to said locking position.

18. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

said actuator coupling means comprises a latch means for locking and releasing said rod coupling means, said latch means being movable from a locking position to a releasing position.

19. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 18, wherein:

said actuator coupling means includes cam means for moving said latch means from said locking position to said releasing position.

20. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 19, wherein:

said latch means includes cam engaging means for engaging said cam means.

21. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 20, wherein:

said actuating means includes a first actuator member pivotally coupled to a second actuator member,

said latch means is pivotally coupled to said first actuator member, and

said cam means is provided on said second actuator member.

22. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 18, wherein:

said rod coupling means comprises a ball shaped tip on said proximal end of said rod.

23. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 18, wherein:

said rod coupling means comprises a projection perpendicular to said rod at said proximal end of said rod.

24. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 18, wherein:

said rod coupling means comprises a cone shaped tip on said proximal end of said rod.

25. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 24, wherein:

said cone shaped tip is provided with a circumferential groove.

26. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 18, wherein:

said latch means is biased to said locking position.

27. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 26, wherein:

said latch means is provided with a first edge and an unlocking member, said first edge being engagable by said unlocking member to move said latch to said releasing position.

28. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 27, wherein:

the unlocking member is connected to said handle coupling means.

29. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 27, wherein:

the unlocking member is a projection on said handle portion and engages said first edge when said actuating means is moved to an unlocking position.

30. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 18, wherein:

said latch means pivotally engages said actuating means.

31. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 18, wherein:

said latch means comprises a U-shaped member with a receiving notch, wherein

said rod fits within said U-shaped member and said rod coupling means engages said receiving notch.

32. A handle for use with an endoscopic instrument having a tube, a push rod, a distal end effector, and means for coupling the tube and push rod to said handle, said handle comprising:

a) a handle body;

b) actuating means coupled to said handle body for imparting reciprocal motion to the push rod relative to the tube;

c) handle coupling means for releasably coupling the tube to said handle body;

d) actuator coupling means for releasably coupling the push rod to said actuating means; and

e) biasing means coupled to said handle coupling means for biasing said handle coupling means into engagement with the tube when the tube is inserted into said handle.

33. A handle according to claim 32, wherein:

said handle coupling means includes a sleeve with a radially movable member, the tube being receivable by said sleeve and engaged by said radially movable member.

34. A handle according to claim 33, wherein:

said radially movable member comprises a ball bearing, and said sleeve includes a radial tapered bore receiving said ball bearing.

35. A handle according to claim 34, wherein:

said sleeve is provided with a collar, said collar having a stepped internal throughbore and being slidable from a locking position wherein said ball bearing is held in said tapered bore to a releasing position allowing said ball bearing to partially exit said tapered bore.

36. A handle according to claim 35, wherein:

said collar is biased to said locking position, and

said sleeve is provided with an internal bushing slidable from an extended position to a retracted position and biased to said extended position wherein said bushing engages said ball bearing to move said ball bearing partially out of said tapered bore.

37. A handle according to claim 33, wherein:

said radially movable member comprises a blade, and said sleeve includes a diametrical slot receiving said blade.

38. A handle according to claim 37, wherein:

said blade is movable from a locking position to a releasing position and biased to said locking position.

39. A handle according to claim 38, wherein:

said handle coupling means includes a biased pin having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion,

said blade is provided with a biased pin receiving means for receiving said biased pin,

said biased pin is movable from a first position wherein said large diameter portion engages said receiving means in said blade when said blade is in said releasing position to a second position wherein said small diameter portion engages said receiving means in said blade when said blade is in said locking position,

said biased pin being biased to said first position,

the tube being provided with pin engagement means for moving said biased pin from said first position to said second position when said tube is received by said sleeve.

40. A handle for use with an endoscopic instrument having a tube, a push rod, a distal end effector, and means for coupling the tube and push rod to said handle, said handle comprising:

a) a handle body;

b) actuating means coupled to said handle body for imparting reciprocal motion to the push rod relative to the tube;

c) handle coupling means for releasably coupling the tube to said handle body;

d) actuator coupling means for releasably coupling the push rod to said actuating means; and

e) biasing means coupled to one of said handle coupling means and actuator coupling means for biasing one of said handle coupling means and said actuator coupling means into engagement with a respective one of the tube and the push rod when the tube and push rod are inserted into said handle, wherein

said actuator coupling means comprises a latch which pivotally engages said actuating means and which moves from a locking position to a releasing position.

41. A handle according to claim 40, wherein:

said latch is biased to said locking position.

42. A handle according to claim 41, wherein:

said latch is provided with a first edge and an unlocking member, said first edge being engagable by said unlocking member to move said latch to said releasing position.

43. A handle according to claim 42, wherein:

said unlocking member is connected to said handle coupling means.

44. A handle according to claim 40, wherein:

said latch comprises a U-shaped member with a receiving notch.

45. A handle according to claim 40, wherein:

said actuating means includes cam means for moving said latch from said locking position to said releasing position.

46. A handle according to claim 45, wherein:

said latch includes cam engaging means for engaging said cam means.

47. A handle according to claim 46, wherein:

said actuating means includes a first actuator member pivotally coupled to a second actuator member,

said latch is pivotally coupled to said first actuator member, and

said cam means is provided on said second actuator member.

48. An endoscopic instrument connectable to a handle having actuating means, said endoscopic instrument comprising:

a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end, said proximal end of said tube provided with tube coupling means for removably coupling said hollow tube to the handle;

b) a rod extending at least partially through said hollow tube and having a proximal and a distal end, said proximal end of said rod provided with rod coupling means for removably coupling said rod to the actuating means of the handle; and

c) an end effector coupled to said distal end of said tube and said distal end of said rod, wherein

said rod coupling means has a tapered tip on said proximal end of said rod so that said endoscopic instrument is quickly connectable to the handle by inserting said rod and tube into a sleeve on the handle until said tapered tip engages and couples with the actuating means of the handle.

49. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 48, wherein:

said tube coupling means comprises a circumferential groove on said tube.

50. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 48, wherein:

said rod coupling means comprises a ball shaped tip on said proximal end of said rod.

51. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 48, wherein:

said rod coupling means comprises a projection perpendicular to said rod at said proximal end of said rod.

52. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 48, wherein:

said rod coupling means comprises a cone shaped tip on said proximal end of said rod.

53. An endoscopic instrument according to claim 52, wherein:

said cone shaped tip is provided with a circumferential groove.