Handle for surgical clip applicator systems

• US 5,582,615 A
• Filed: 10/30/1995
• Issued: 12/10/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Applied Medical Resources Corporation (Applied Medical Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Pilling Weck Incorporated (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dawes, Stephen, Foshee, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Gary
• Application Number:
  US08/550,461
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 606/142, 606/143, 606/139, 227/19
• US Class Current: 606/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• 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 2017/2913 cams or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means

Abstract

An improved actuator handle for a surgical instrument that can be used in endoscopic surgery with the emphasis on applying hemostatic clips. The instrument receives a longitudinal input from the actuator handle and translates the input into relative component motion to apply the hemostatic clips. The improved handle is fabricated primarily from a reusable, engineering resin having exceptional resistance to degradation by steam sterilization. Other improvements to the actuator handle include a drive stem mechanism of unitary construction that can be removed from the actuator handle as an assembled unit to facilitate sterilization. The actuator handle is provided with a quick release mechanism to facilitate the removal and replacement of the drive stem mechanism. The improved actuator handle also features a ratchet mechanism that enables the user to incrementally adjust the longitudinal input force that is transmitted to the surgical instrument and includes a switch for selective operation of the same. The actuator handle also includes a safety lock mechanism integrated into the drive stem mechanism for selective engagement of the surgical instrument and the actuator handle to prevent accidental disconnection during a surgical procedure.

Claims

1. An improved actuator handle for use in conjunction with a surgical instrument such as a hemostatic clip applicator which is operable by longitudinal input movement, said actuator handle including a housing which accepts an end of said instrument and a trigger assembly mechanically coupled to said housing and formed to be grasped and operated by hand, the improvement comprising:

drive stem means being of unitary construction and disposed within said housing in an operative relationship to said trigger assembly for imparting longitudinal input movement from said actuator handle to said instrument;

safety lock means on said drive stem means and on said instrument for selective engagement of said drive stem means and said instrument to prevent accidental disconnection during a surgical procedure;

quick release means disposed within said housing in a functional relationship with said drive stem means enabling removal of said drive stem means from said housing as an assembled unit; and

ratchet means disposed within said housing in a functional relationship with said trigger assembly, said ratchet means being selectively operable by a switch means whereby a user of said actuator handle may incrementally adjust said longitudinal input movement transmitted to said instrument.

2. The improved actuator handle of claim 1 wherein said housing is fabricated from an engineering resin having exceptional resistance to degradation by steam sterilization.

3. The improved actuator handle of claim 2 wherein said drive stem means includes a coupling having an internal bore adapted to receive an end of said instrument within a distal end of said bore, said coupling being adapted to receive a driver means within a proximal end of said bore in an operative relationship with said instrument whereby longitudinal movement of said driver means generated by said actuator handle may be imparted to said instrument.

4. The improved actuator handle of claim 2 wherein said safety lock means includes at least one bayonet pin projecting inwardly from said internal bore of said and adapted to engage;

at least one L-shaped slot on said instrument; and

a knob that is radially disposed about said coupling in concentric relation thereto, said knob including at least one locking tab projecting inwardly from an internal bore thereof, said tab slideably engaging a keyway formed in a sidewall of said coupling, said keyway extending through said sidewall to communicate with said internal bore of said coupling whereby said tab can register within said L-shaped slot of said instrument to selectively capture said bayonet pin within said L-shaped slot preventing accidental disconnection of said instrument and said actuator handle during a surgical procedure.

5. The actuator handle of claim 2 wherein said quick release means includes a pair of horizontally opposed latch-gate mechanisms disposed within said housing about a center axis of said drive stem means whereby said drive stem means can be conveniently removed and replaced from said housing as an assembled unit.

6. The improved actuator handle of claim 2 wherein said ratchet means includes a ratchet member that is pivotedly mounted within said housing, said ratchet member including a plurality of serrated teeth being disposed in a functional relationship with a pawl member, said pawl member being pivotedly mounted on said trigger assembly whereby said ratchet may be incrementally adjusted by the user to gradually increase the longitudinal input force transmitted to said surgical instrument.

7. The improved actuator handle of claim 6 wherein said ratchet means is selectively operated by a mechanical switch positioned within said housing in functional relation to said ratchet.