Articulating surgical apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures, which comprises:
- a) non-endoscopic portion; and
b) an endoscopic portion having at least first and second segments connected by at least one angled rotary interface joint, wherein the first segment is operatively connected to said non-endoscopic portion and defines a longitudinal first axis, the rotary interface joint defining a plane oriented at a fixed angle with respect to the longitudinal first axis, and wherein the second segment includes a distal operating portion and has a lengthwise second axis, said second segment being rotatable around a third axis which is oriented at an angle from the longitudinal first axis of from about 1°
to about 60°
,wherein the second axis traces out a conical geometric surface when said second segment is rotated around the third axis at least one position of the second axis being collinear with the first axis.
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Abstract
An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgery includes a articulating segmented endoscopic portion wherein the segments are connected by an angled rotary interface. Rotation of the distal segment moves the distal segment to a position which is angled relative to the proximal segment. A handle grip portion may be likewise articulated.
2355 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures, which comprises:
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a) non-endoscopic portion; and b) an endoscopic portion having at least first and second segments connected by at least one angled rotary interface joint, wherein the first segment is operatively connected to said non-endoscopic portion and defines a longitudinal first axis, the rotary interface joint defining a plane oriented at a fixed angle with respect to the longitudinal first axis, and wherein the second segment includes a distal operating portion and has a lengthwise second axis, said second segment being rotatable around a third axis which is oriented at an angle from the longitudinal first axis of from about 1°
to about 60°
,wherein the second axis traces out a conical geometric surface when said second segment is rotated around the third axis at least one position of the second axis being collinear with the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures, which comprises:
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a) a non-endoscopic portion; and b) an endoscopic portion having at least first and second segments connected by at least one angled rotary interface joint, wherein the first segment is operatively connected to said non-endoscopic portion and defines a longitudinal first axis, and wherein the second segment includes a distal operating portion and has a lengthwise second axis, said second segment being rotatable a round a third axis which is oriented at an angle from the longitudinal first axis of from about 1°
to about 60°
,wherein said first segment comprises an outer tube and a rotary drive tube rotatably disposed within said outer tube, said rotary drive tube having an axial bore and a distal end with an array of distally pointing teeth forming a crown gear, and wherein said second segment possesses an outer tube having a proximal end with an array of proximally pointing teeth forming a bevel gear, at least a portion of said bevel gear teeth being engaged with at least some of said crown gear teeth of said rotary device tube such that rotation of said rotary drive tube effects rotation of said outer tube of said second segment. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for surgically operating on body tissue in the interior of a body cavity, comprising:
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a) creating a puncture incision in a wall of body tissue; b) inserting a cannula assembly through said incision; c) providing an apparatus which includes i) a non-endoscopic portion having first and second actuators, ii) an endoscopic portion having at least first and second segments connected by at least one angled rotary interface joint, wherein the first segment is operatively connected to said non-endoscopic portion and defines a longitudinal first axis, the rotary interface joint defining a plane at a fixed angle with respect to the longitudinal first axis, and wherein the second segment includes a distal operating portion actuated by said first actuator and has a lengthwise second axis, said second segment being rotatable in response to actuation of said second actuator around a third axis which is oriented at an angle from the longitudinal first axis of from abut 1 degree to about 60 degrees wherein said second axis traces out a conical geometric surface when said second segment is rotated around the third axis at least one position of the second axis being collinear with the first axis; inserting said endoscopic portion of said apparatus through said cannula assembly in the body cavity; positioning said distal operating portion at an operating site; actuating said distal operating portion. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification