Cleanable, inspectable, and replaceable surgical instrument

• US 5,507,772 A
• Filed: 05/20/1994
• Issued: 04/16/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: DePuy Orthopaedics Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: DePuy Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shutt, Jeffrey G., Shutt, George V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEFFLEY, MICHAEL F
• Application Number:
  US08/247,020
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 606/205-209, 606/45-52, 606/170, 606/171, 128/751, 128/752
• US Class Current: 606/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1608 the two jaw elements being linked to two elongated shaft elements moving longitudinally relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• 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 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2904 curved, but rigid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/36 Image-producing devices or illumination devices not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a removable tip assembly having an elongated support member including a proximal end configured to be coupled to the handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body. The support member may either be straight or curved. The tip assembly also includes an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member, and a drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the drive actuator is pivotably coupled to the operating unit for moving the operating unit relative to the support member. The surgical instrument also includes a handle having a body portion formed to include an opening for receiving the proximal end of the tip assembly therein, a movable trigger configured to actuate the operating unit of the selected tip assembly, and a locking mechanism for removably coupling the selected tip assembly to the handle. The locking mechanism is movable from a first position to hold the selected tip assembly in a locked position relative to the handle to a second position to release the selected tip assembly from the handle and permit the removal of the selected tip assembly from the handle. The drive actuator can be rotated out of a slot in the handle while the tip assembly is assembled to the handle for cleaning, sterilization, and inspection. The support member, drive actuator, and operating unit cannot be disassembled from each other. Advantageously, the tip assembly may be removed and replaced. This permits replacement of a damaged tip assembly on site.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle including a movable trigger;

an elongated support member having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the elongated support member including a curved portion located in close proximity to the distal end, the elongated support member being formed to include an opened trough slot extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member; and

a drive actuator configured to be positioned in the slot of the support member, the drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drive actuator being coupled to the operating unit and the proximal end of the drive actuator being configured to engage the trigger so that the drive actuator moves the operating unit relative to the support member in response to movement of the trigger.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a locking member for removably coupling the proximal end of the drive actuator to the handle, the locking member being movable from a first position to hold the drive actuator in a locked position relative to the handle to a second position to release the drive actuator from the handle and to permit movement of the drive actuator away from the handle to permit cleaning, sterilization, and inspection of the support member, the drive actuator, and the operating unit after a surgical procedure.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the drive actuator is inserted into a slot formed in the handle to couple the drive actuator to the handle, and wherein the locking member includes an ejector for ejecting the drive actuator from the slot upon movement of the locking member to its second position.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of the support member is inserted into a slot formed in the handle to couple the support member to the handle, and further comprising a locking mechanism for removably coupling the support member to the handle.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a single use illumination, optical, or laser line located in the elongated slot of the support member.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the drive actuator includes a projection extending outwardly therefrom and the operating unit is formed to include an opening therein for receiving the projection therein to pivotably couple the drive actuator to the operating unit.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, further comprising a side plate coupled to the operating unit to prevent the projection from disengaging the opening of the operating unit.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the operating unit is pivotably coupled to the support member and further comprising at least one stop formed on the support member to prevent disengagement of the operating unit from the support member.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the drive actuator is pivotably coupled to the operating unit and further comprising at least one stop formed on the operating unit to prevent disengagement of the drive actuator from the operating unit.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the operating unit is coupled to the support member by an arcuate groove and notch arrangement to couple the operating unit to the support member.

11. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle including a movable trigger;

an elongated support member having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the elongated support member including a curved portion located in close proximity to the distal end, the elongated support member being formed to include a slot extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member;

a drive actuator configured to be positioned in the slot of the support member, the drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drive actuator being coupled to the operating unit and the proximal end of the drive actuator being configured to engage the trigger so that the drive actuator moves the operating unit relative to the support member in response to movement of the trigger; and

wherein the drive actuator has a predetermined thickness and the drive actuator includes a relieved section having a reduced thickness located adjacent the curved portion of the support member to permit the drive actuator to bend as it moves through the curved portion of the support member.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein relieved section includes a plurality of spaced apart ribs having substantially the predetermined thickness to position the relieved section of the drive actuator in the slot of the support member.

13. A surgical instrument comprising;

a handle including a movable trigger;

an elongated support member having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the elongated support member including a curved portion located in close proximity to the distal end, the elongated support member being formed to include a slot extending from the proximal end to the distal end;

an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member;

a drive actuator configured to be positioned in the slot of the support member, the drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drive actuator being coupled to the operating unit and the proximal end of the drive actuator being configured to engage the trigger so that the drive actuator moves the operating unit relative to the support member in response to movement of the trigger;

wherein a proximal end of the support member is inserted into a slot formed in the handle to couple the support member to the handle, and further comprising a locking mechanism for removably coupling the support member to the handle; and

wherein the releasable locking mechanism includes a semi-cylindrical member for engaging a notch formed in the support member to secure the support member to the handle and means coupled to the semi-cylindrical member for rotating the semi-cylindrical member to release the support member from the handle.

14. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle including a movable trigger;

an elongated support member having a proximal end coupled to the handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body;

an operating unit pivotably coupled to the distal end of the support member;

a drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the proximal end of the drive actuator being configured to engage a portion of the movable trigger, and the distal end of the drive actuator being pivotably coupled to the operating unit for moving the operating unit relative to the support member in response to movement of the trigger;

in addition to the pivotal connection, a first stop formed on the operating unit to prevent disengagement of the distal end of the drive actuator from the operating unit; and

a second stop formed on the support member to prevent disengagement of the operating unit from the support member.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, further comprising a locking member for removably coupling the proximal end of the drive actuator to the handle, the locking member being movable from a first position to hold the drive actuator in a locked position relative to the handle to a second position to release the drive actuator from the handle and to permit movement of the drive actuator away from the handle to permit cleaning, sterilization, and inspection of the support member, the drive actuator, and the operating unit after a surgical procedure.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein a proximal end of the support member is inserted into a slot formed in the handle to couple the support member to the handle, and further comprising a locking mechanism for removably coupling the support member to the handle.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the releasable locking mechanism includes a semi-cylindrical member for engaging a notch formed in the support member to secure the support member to the handle and means coupled to the semi-cylindrical member for rotating the semi-cylindrical member to release the support member from the handle.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the drive actuator includes a projection extending outwardly therefrom and the operating unit is formed to include a notch therein for receiving the projection therein to pivotably couple the drive actuator to the operating unit.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the operating unit is coupled to the support member by an arcuate groove and notch arrangement to couple the operating unit to the support member.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the support member is formed to include a trough-like slot having a generally U-shaped transverse cross section, the drive actuator is configured to be disposed at least partially within the trough-like slot.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the trough-like slot and the drive actuator define a passage therebetween for receiving at least one of an illumination, optical, irrigation, suction, and laser line therein.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the support member is formed to include a curved portion located in close proximity to the distal end and a slot extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the support member for receiving the drive actuator therein.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 22, wherein the drive actuator has a predetermined thickness and includes a relieved section having a reduced thickness located adjacent the curved portion of the support member to permit the drive actuator to bend as it moves through the curved portion of the support member.

24. The surgical instrument of claim 23, wherein relieved section includes a plurality of spaced apart ribs.

25. A surgical instrument kit comprising:

a first removable tip assembly including a straight support member having a proximal end configured to be coupled to a handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, the distal end of the support member being coupled to an operating unit by an arcuate groove and notch arrangement;

a second removable tip assembly including a curved support member having a proximal end configured to be coupled to the handle and a distal end for insertion into the patient'"'"'s body, the distal end of the curved support member being coupled to an operating unit by an arcuate groove and notch arrangement; and

a handle having a body portion configured to receive the proximal end of a selected one of the first and second tip assemblies therein, a movable trigger connectable to actuate the operating unit of the selected tip assembly, and a locking mechanism for removably coupling the selected tip assembly to the handle, the locking mechanism being movable from a first position to hold the selected tip assembly in a locked position relative to the handle to a second position to release the selected tip assembly from the handle and permit the removal of the selected tip assembly from the handle.

26. A surgical instrument comprising:

a removable tip assembly including an elongated support member having a proximal end configured to be coupled to a handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member, and a drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drive actuator being pivotably coupled to the operating unit for moving the operating unit relative to the support member;

a handle having a body portion formed to include an opening for slidably receiving the proximal end of the tip assembly therein, a movable trigger connectable to actuate the operating unit of the tip assembly, and a locking mechanism for removably coupling the tip assembly to the handle, the locking mechanism being movable from a first position to hold the tip assembly in a locked position relative to the handle to a second position to release the tip assembly from the handle and permit the removal of the tip assembly from the handle; and

wherein the releasable locking mechanism includes a semi-cylindrical member for engaging a notch formed in the support member to secure the support member to the handle and means coupled to the semi-cylindrical member for rotating the semi-cylindrical member to release the support member from the handle.

27. A surgical instrument comprising;

a removable tip assembly including an elongated support member having a proximal end configured to be coupled to a handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member, and a drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drive actuator being pivotably coupled to the operating unit for moving the operating unit relative to the support member;

a handle having a body portion formed to include an opening for slidably receiving the proximal end of the tip assembly therein, a movable trigger connectable to actuate the operating unit of the tip assembly and a locking mechanism for removably coupling the tip assembly to the handle, the locking mechanism being movable from a first position to hold the tip assembly in a locked position relative to the handle to a second position to release the tip assembly from the handle and permit the removal of the tip assembly from the handle; and

wherein the support member is formed to include a curved portion located in close proximity to the distal end and an open trough slot extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the support member for receiving the drive actuator therein.

28. The surgical instrument of claim 27, wherein the drive actuator has a predetermined thickness and includes a relieved section having a reduced thickness located adjacent the curved portion of the support member to permit the drive actuator to bend as it moves through the curved portion of the support member.

29. The surgical instrument of claim 28, wherein relieved section includes a plurality of spaced apart ribs.

30. A surgical instrument comprising:

a removable tip assembly including an elongated support member having a proximal end configured to be coupled to a handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body, an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member, and a drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drive actuator being pivotably coupled to the operating unit for moving the operating unit relative to the support member;

a handle having a body portion formed to include an opening for slidably receiving the proximal end of the tip assembly therein, a movable trigger connectable to actuate the operating unit of the tip assembly, and a locking mechanism for removably coupling the tip assembly to the handle, the locking mechanism being movable from a first position to hold the tip assembly in a locked position relative to the handle to a second position to release the tip assembly from the handle and permit the removal of the tip assembly from the handle; and

wherein the body portion of the handle is formed to include first and second elongated tracks in the opening for engaging first and second notched sections formed in the proximal end of the support member to align the support member relative to the body portion and to prevent rotation of the support member relative to the body portion.

31. The surgical instrument of claim 30, wherein body portion of the handle is formed to include a slot therein for receiving the proximal end of the drive actuator, and the first and second tracks are aligned downwardly away from the slot in the body portion of the handle at a predetermined angle to prevent spreading of the body portion of the handle due to a prying force on the tip assembly.

32. The surgical instrument of claim 31, wherein the predetermined angle is about 6°

to about 10°

.

33. A surgical instrument comprising:

a removable tip assembly including an elongated support member having a proximal end configured to be coupled to a handle and a distal end for insertion into a patient'"'"'s body;

an operating unit coupled to the distal end of the support member using an arcuate groove and follower connection wherein the groove is located on one of the operating unit and support member and the follower is located on the other of the operating unit and support member and wherein the follower rides in the groove;

a drive actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the drive actuator being releasably and pivotably coupled to the operating unit for moving the operating unit relative to the support member through a notch and projection connection wherein the drive actuator can be disconnected from the moveable trigger to be pivoted with respect to the operating unit to a point where the projection can be released from the notch; and

a handle having a body portion formed to include an opening for releasably receiving the proximal end of the tip assembly therein and a movable trigger connectable to actuate the proximal end of the drive actuator.

34. The surgical instrument of claim 33, further comprising a locking member for removably coupling the proximal end of the drive actuator to the handle, the locking member being movable from a first position to held the drive actuator in a locked position relative to the handle to a second position to release the drive actuator from the handle and to permit movement of the drive actuator away from the handle to permit cleaning, sterilization, and inspection of the support member, the drive actuator, and the operating unit after surgical procedure.

35. The surgical instrument of claim 33, wherein the projection is located adjacent the distal end of the drive actuator and includes an elongated member for engaging the notch, which notch is formed in the operating unit.