Actuating forces transmission link and assembly for use in surgical instruments

• US 5,727,428 A
• Filed: 10/01/1996
• Issued: 03/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Smith & Nephew Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Inventors: DiCarlo, Paul, Sikora, George J., LeMaire, Norman J. III, Naugler, Peter D., DiFrancesco, Francis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luong, Vinh T.
• Application Number:
  US08/722,739
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• Field of Search: 128/305, 128/321, 128/751, 74/579 R, 74/107, 74/567, 606/170, 606/174, 606/184, 606/205-209, 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 spacer member comprising:

a spacer body having first and second lateral sides for engaging two distal fingers of an actuating member; and

first and second bearing surfaces disposed on upper and lower sides of said spacer body, respectively, said upper and lower sides being substantially transverse to the first and second lateral sides, said bearing surfaces being shaped to slidably contact the outer conduit to assist positioning of the actuating member relative to the outer conduit.

2. A combination comprising:

an actuating member carried within an outer conduit and having two distal fingers;

a spacer member including a spacer body having first and second lateral sides for engaging the two distal fingers of the actuating member; and

first and second bearing surfaces disposed on upper and lower portions of said spacer body, said bearing surfaces being shaded to slidably contact the outer conduit to assist positioning of the actuating member relative to the outer conduit, wherein said first and second bearing surfaces are arcuate in shape and extend to either side of said first and second lateral surfaces of said spacer body.

3. The spacer member of claim 2 further comprising a proximal projection extending from said spacer body to engage a junction of the two distal fingers of the actuating member.

4. The spacer member of claim 3 wherein said spacer member is capable of minimizing deformation of an O-ring carried by the actuating member proximal to said spacer member.

5. A combination comprising:

an actuating member carried within an outer conduit and having two distal fingers;

a spacer member including;

a spacer body having first and second lateral sides for engaging the two distal fingers of the actuating member; and

first and second bearing surfaces disposed on upper and lower portions of said spacer body, said bearing surfaces being shaped to slidably contact the outer conduit to assist positioning of the actuating member relative to the outer conduit; and

an O-ring positioned between the actuating member and the outer conduit.