Device for dissecting, grasping, or cutting an object

• US 5,509,923 A
• Filed: 12/21/1990
• Issued: 04/23/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Raychem Corporation (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Pyka, Walter R., Middleman, Lee M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis, William W.
• Application Number:
  US07/631,809
• Time in Patent Office: 1,950 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 604/104, 604/105, 128/751, 606/110-114, 606/127, 606/128, 606/137, 606/159, 606/160, 606/167, 606/170, 606/174, 606/180, 606/198, 30/237, 30/253
• US Class Current: 606/207
• 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 17/0218 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 17/08 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 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
• 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
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06171 : helically or spirally coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22072 : with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2212 : having a closed distal end, e.g. a loop
• 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 2017/320064 : with tissue or sample retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 : with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 : Loop
• 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

A device for dissecting, grasping and/or cutting an object has at least two elongate elements at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material, preferably a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy. End portions of the elements can be moved away from one another and then toward one another to dissect, grasp and/or cut an object with the elements. In certain embodiments, the device further comprises an actuating means and at least a portion of the elements and/or the actuating means is formed from a pseudoelastic material. The device is particularly useful in dissecting, grasping and/or cutting objects located in difficult to reach areas, for example within the body during surgery.

Claims

1. A device for dissecting an object which comprises at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements including means for:

i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint to dissect said object from surrounding material; and

ii. being capable of being moved toward one another;

wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the pseudoelastic material is a pseudoelastic shape memory alloy.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the pseudoelastic material is a superelastic material.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4, in which the end portions of the elements are pivotally connected to one another towards their free ends.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the end portions of the elements are pivotally connected to one another.

2. A device for manipulating an object which comprises at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements including means for:

i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them; and

ii. being capable of being moved toward one another to manipulate said object;

wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

9. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 4 wherein the means for manipulating comprises means for cutting said object.

10. A device as claimed in claim 2 or 4 which further comprises a cutting edge of a material other than a shape memory alloy.

13. A device as claimed in claim 2, or claim 4, which further comprises at least one grasping surface.

3. A device for dissecting an object which comprises

a. a hollow elongate component;

and

b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements including means for;

i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint to dissect said object from surrounding material; and

ii. being capable of being moved toward one another;

wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slide into and out of said component and wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

4. A device for manipulating an object which comprises

a. a hollow elongate component;

and

b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements including means for;

i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them; and

ii. being capable of being moved towards one another to manipulate said object;

wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slid into and out of said component and wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

11. A device for manipulating an object which comprises at least two elongate elements positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, at least a portion of at least one of the elongate elements including a manipulating edge constructed of a material other than a shape memory alloy, the end portions of the elements including means for:

i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them; and

ii. being capable of being moved toward one another to manipulate said object;

wherein a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said cutting edge is of stainless steel.

14. A method of manipulating an object, which comprises:

A. providing a device which comprises

a. at least two elongate elements, positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements;

i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them; and

ii. being capable of being moved toward one another to manipulate said object;

wherein at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material;

B. positioning the object between the splayed apart end portions of the elements; and

C. causing said end portions to move toward one another so as to manipulate said object.

16. A method of claim 14, or 15, wherein the pseudoelastic material is a superelastic material.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pseudoelastic material is a shape memory alloy.

18. A method of dissecting an object from surrounding material as claimed in claim 16 wherein the shape memory alloy is a nickel titanium alloy.

19. A method as claimed in claim 14, or claim 15, in which the object is a part of a human body or animal body.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, in which the object is an internal part of the body, and the method includes the step of positioning at least the end portions of the elements within the body.

21. A method as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein the step of manipulating said object comprises cutting said object.

15. A method of manipulating an object, which comprises:

A. providing a device which comprises;

a. a hollow elongate component; and

b. at least two elongate elements, at least part of which are positioned within said component, said elements being positioned alongside one another, each having a body portion and an end portion, the end portions of the elements;

i. being capable of being splayed apart from one another when free of transverse constraint and presenting manipulating surfaces to an object to be manipulated that is placed between them; and

ii. being capable of being moved toward one another to manipulate said object;

wherein the elements and the component are longitudinally slideable relative to one another so that at least a portion of the elements can be slid into and out of said component and wherein at least a portion of at least one of the elements is formed from a pseudoelastic material;

B. positioning said object between the splayed apart end portions of the elements; and

C. causing said end portions to move toward one another so as to manipulate said object.