Actuating forces transmission link and assembly for use in surgical instruments

• US 5,590,570 A
• Filed: 10/21/1994
• Issued: 01/07/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Acufex Microsurgical, Inc.
• Inventors: DiFrancesco, Francis J., DiCarlo, Paul, Sikora, George J., LeMaire, Norman J. III, Naugler, Peter D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US08/326,989
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 74/579 R, 74/107, 74/567, 606/170, 606/174, 606/184, 606/205, 606/206-209, 128/751, 403/13, 403/14, 403/91-95, 403/381, 403/382, 403/315, 403/43, 403/44, 403/355, 403/356, 403/24
• US Class Current: 74/579.00R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2934 arcuate shaped guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2939 Details of linkages or pivot points
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/503 the flange being separate from the elements to be connected
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32319 including pivot stud
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2142 Pitmans and connecting rods

Abstract

A link, and assembly and instrument using same, for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member. The link includes a link body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the link body is movably interconnected with the work member by a distal interconnection element such as an arcuate groove-and-flange assembly, and is interconnected at its proximal end to an actuating member by a proximal pivotal interconnection element. The proximal element transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member. A shoulder, disposed on the link body preferably between the distal and proximal elements for interconnecting, engages the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of the first actuating force. The greater force is thereby transmitted fully to the work member. The link assembly preferably includes a spacer member to assist positioning of the actuating member.

Claims

1. A link for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member, comprising:

a link body having a distal end and a proximal end;

distal means, disposed at said distal end of said link body, for movably interconnecting said link body with the work member;

a proximal interconnection element, disposed on said proximal end of said link body, which pivotably interconnects said link body with the actuating member, and transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member; and

a shoulder, disposed on said link body, which engages a distal region of the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of said first actuating force to transmit said second force to the work member.

2. The link of claim 1 in which said distal means for interconnecting includes one of an arcuate flange.

3. The link of claim 1 in which said distal means for interconnecting is formed integrally with said link body.

4. The link of claim 1 in which said link body is formed of metal.

5. The link of claim 4 in which said metal is stainless steel.

6. The link of claim 1 in which said proximal interconnection element includes a pin adapted to fit within a corresponding recess in the actuating member.

7. The link of claim 1 in which said proximal interconnection element includes at least one recess for accepting a corresponding projection of said actuating member.

8. The link of claim 1 in which said shoulder is concave.

9. The link of claim 1 further including a stop, associated with said distal means for interconnecting, for limiting movement of the work member relative to said link.

10. A link for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member, comprising:

a link body having a distal end and a proximal end;

distal means, disposed at said distal end of said link body, for movably interconnecting said link body with the work member; and

proximal engagement means, disposed on said proximal end of said link body, having a first curvilinear surface which pivotably engages a first surface of the actuating member to transmit a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member, and having a second curvilinear surface which pivotably engages a second surface of the actuating member to transmit a second, greater actuating force applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of said first actuating force to transmit said second force to the work member.