Uterine manipulator
First Claim
1. A uterine manipulator comprising:
- an elongated frame presenting a proximate end and a remote end and defining a major axis aligned between said ends;
a handle;
means for pivotally coupling said handle to said frame for pivotal movement about a minor axis substantially perpendicular to said major axis;
a drum located at said remote end of said frame;
means for operatively connecting said handle to said drum such that pivoting of said handle produces corresponding articulation of said drum within a predetermined range through a plane substantially parallel to said minor axis; and
means for selectively locking said handle against undesired pivoting movement relative to said frame;
said handle including a graspable portion offset to said minor axis for presenting a moment arm when said handle is pivoted relative to said frame.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A uterine manipulator and associated tip are provided for laparoscopic examinations. The manipulator hereof includes a handle pivotally connected to one end of an elongated frame and a drum positioned at the other end of the frame. The handle is connected to the drum to provide movement of the drum in a plane substantially parallel to the pivot axis of the handle. The handle may be locked relative to the frame in a plurality of desired positions by engagement of a pawl shiftable with the handle in one of a plurality of notches on the frame. The frame is provided with ports along the sides to facilitate cleaning and sterilization. The tip is mounted exclusively remotely to the frame of the uterine manipulator and includes a unique mounting system which maintains the proper orientation of the tip on the drum.
92 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A uterine manipulator comprising:
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an elongated frame presenting a proximate end and a remote end and defining a major axis aligned between said ends; a handle; means for pivotally coupling said handle to said frame for pivotal movement about a minor axis substantially perpendicular to said major axis; a drum located at said remote end of said frame; means for operatively connecting said handle to said drum such that pivoting of said handle produces corresponding articulation of said drum within a predetermined range through a plane substantially parallel to said minor axis; and means for selectively locking said handle against undesired pivoting movement relative to said frame; said handle including a graspable portion offset to said minor axis for presenting a moment arm when said handle is pivoted relative to said frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A tip for attachment to a uterine manipulator comprising:
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an elongated shaft; and a boot of resilient material connected to said shaft, said boot including structure defining a substantially enclosed recessed area anterior to a substantially annular radially inwardly extending lip for releasably coupling said tip to a uterine manipulator.
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15. A uterine manipulator comprising:
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an elongated frame presenting a proximate end and a remote end and defining a major axis aligned between said ends; a handle; means for pivotally coupling said handle to said frame for pivotal movement about a minor axis substantially perpendicular to said major axis; a drum located at said remote end of said frame; means for operatively connecting said handle to said drum whereby pivoting of said handle produces corresponding articulation of said drum within a predetermined range through a plane substantially parallel to said minor axis; and means for selectively locking said handle against undesired pivoting movement relative to said frame; said selective locking means including a pawl pivotally connected to said handle. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A uterine manipulator comprising:
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an elongated frame presenting a proximate end and a remote end and defining a major axis aligned between said ends; a handle; means for pivotally coupling said handle to said frame for pivotal movement about a minor axis substantially perpendicular to said major axis; a drum located at said remote end of said frame; and connecting means for operatively connecting said handle to said drum whereby pivoting of said handle produces articulation of said drum within a predetermined range through a plane substantially parallel to said minor axis; said frame and connecting means being arranged so that said drum rotatably floats relative to said frame and is held in its floating position by at least one of said frame and connecting means. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A uterine manipulator comprising:
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a frame; a drum; a uterine manipulator finger attached to the drum; said frame including support means for movably supporting the drum; and drive means operatively connected to the drum for articulating the drum, said support means permitting said drum to rotate and translate relative to said frame during said articulation.
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21. A uterine manipulator comprising:
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an elongated frame presenting a proximate end and a remote end and defining a major axis aligned between said ends; a handle; means for pivotally coupling said handle to said frame for pivotal movement about a minor axis substantially perpendicular to said major axis; a drum located at said remote end of said frame; means for operatively connecting said handle to said drum whereby pivoting of said handle produces corresponding articulation of said drum within a predetermined range through a plane substantially parallel to said minor axis; and means for selectively locking said handle against undesired pivoting movement relative to said frame; said drum including a head for mounting a tip thereon, said head including structure for inhibiting axial movement of the tip relative to the head; said drum including an elongated channel defining a channel axis and said axial movement inhibiting structure includes a rim projecting radially outwardly from the axis of said channel.
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22. A uterine manipulator comprising:
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a frame; a drum; a uterine manipulator finger attached to the drum; said frame including support means for movably supporting the drum; and drive means operatively connected to the drum for articulating the drum, said support means and drive means being arranged to permit the drum to move the finger in both retrovert and antevert relation to the frame;
wherein the support means and the drive means are arranged for causing the drum to rotate and translate relative to said frame during articulation of the drum. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification