Compensator to prevent backlash in a surgical instrument
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for removal of backlash from a surgical instrument, comprising:
- a body having a proximal and a distal end;
an actuating mechanism on said body;
an actuating assembly having a proximal component connected to said actuating mechanism and a distal component movably mounted with respect to said proximal component;
said actuating assembly operable from a distal to a proximal position against a return bias member acting thereon to return said actuating assembly from said distal to said proximal position;
a clutch mounted to said proximal component to selectively arrest proximal movement of said proximal component, beyond a predetermined proximal backlash movement, due to said bias member of said actuating mechanism;
a biasing component acting on said distal component to bias it distally with respect to said proximal component when said proximal component is arrested by said clutch to compensate for said backlash movement.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a surgical instrument which prevents backlash due to reduction of applied force on the handle or trigger of the surgical instrument. The instrument includes a clutch system that is adapted to maintain the position of the portion of the driver that is in mechanical communication with the forming tool upon reduction of the applied force.
332 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An apparatus for removal of backlash from a surgical instrument, comprising:
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a body having a proximal and a distal end; an actuating mechanism on said body; an actuating assembly having a proximal component connected to said actuating mechanism and a distal component movably mounted with respect to said proximal component; said actuating assembly operable from a distal to a proximal position against a return bias member acting thereon to return said actuating assembly from said distal to said proximal position; a clutch mounted to said proximal component to selectively arrest proximal movement of said proximal component, beyond a predetermined proximal backlash movement, due to said bias member of said actuating mechanism; a biasing component acting on said distal component to bias it distally with respect to said proximal component when said proximal component is arrested by said clutch to compensate for said backlash movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for removing backlash in a surgical instrument, comprising:
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a body having a proximal and a distal end; an actuating assembly movably mounted in said body for reciprocation toward said proximal and distal end points to actuate the surgical instrument; a clutch assembly further comprising; at least one taper on said actuation assembly; a movable sleeve around said actuating assembly, supporting at least one first projection; said actuating assembly comprising at least one second projection; whereupon said second protection engages said first projection to allow movement of said actuating assembly with said sleeve toward a distal end point and if distal movement stops short of said distal end point, said first projection engages said taper to prevent substantial proximal movement of said actuating assembly by wedging it against said body until distal movement of said actuating assembly resumes and said distal end point is reached. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification