Device or apparatus for manipulating matter

• US 5,749,879 A
• Filed: 02/24/1993
• Issued: 05/12/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: van Dyk, Karl, Jervis, James E., Pyka, Walter R., Poncet, Philippe, Buhler, Michael, Middleman, Lee M., Zadno, Reza
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Application Number:
  US08/022,259
• Time in Patent Office: 1,903 Days
• Field of Search: 606/139, 606/144, 606/145, 606/148, 606/78
• US Class Current: 606/139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/02 Instruments for taking cell samples or for biopsy A61B10/0038 and A61B10/0045 take precedence; needle locating or guiding means A61B17/3403; samplers for enzymology or microbiology C12M1/26; sampling or preparing biological specimens G01N33/48
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0469 Suturing instruments for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0625 the needle being specially adapted to interact with the manipulator, e.g. being ridged to snap fit in a hole of the manipulator A61B17/06109 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/08 Wound clamps or clips, i.e. not or only partly penetrating the tissue suture bridges A61B17/0466; Devices for bringing together the edges of a wound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/10 for applying or removing wound clamps, e.g. containing only one clamp or staple A61B17/076 takes precedence; containing multiple wound clamps A61B17/068; Wound clamp magazines containers, packaging elements or packages specially adapted for particular articles or with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00, B65D85/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12013 for use in minimally invasive surgery, e.g. endoscopic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/30 Surgical pincettes without pivotal connectionsfor holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; wound clamps A61B17/08 ; hand-held gripping tools without pivotal connections in general B25B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32056 Surgical snare instruments for removing or smashing calculi A61B2017/2212; tonsillotomes A61B17/26
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3421 Cannulas
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/082 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/10 Power sources therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00287 Bags for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00349 : Needle-like instruments having hook or barb-like gripping means, e.g. for grasping suture or tissue A61B17/06066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 : one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0038 : Simultaneous actuation of two tools by pushing one button or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00455 : Orientation indicators, e.g. recess on the handle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00867 : shape memory effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0409 : Instruments for applying suture anchors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06052 : Needle-suture combinations in which a suture is extending inside a hollow tubular needle, e.g. over the entire length of the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06171 : helically or spirally coiled
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22072 : with an instrument channel, e.g. for replacing one instrument by the other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 : flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2937 : with flexible part
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/303 : with four or more legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320064 : with tissue or sample retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 : with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 : with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1407 : Loop
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30092 : using shape memory or superelastic materials, e.g. nitinol
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0019 : operated at only one temperature whilst inside or touching the human body, e.g. constrained in a non-operative shape during surgery, another temperature only occurring before the operation
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 9/00 : Hand-held gripping tools other than those covered by group B25B7/00 wrenches B25B13/00; specially adapted for watchmakers' or like use G04D
• CPC Class Codes: B26B 13/26 : with intermediate links between the grips and the blades, e.g. for remote actuation

Abstract

The present invention provides a device or apparatus for manipulating matter in a confined or inaccessible space, comprising manipulator means at least partly constructed of one or more bent or twisted elongate metallic members having pseudoelasticity at the intended manipulation temperature, and a hollow housing (preferably of elongate tubular form) or cannula capable of holding at least the metallic member(s) in a relatively straightened state, and actuating means for extending the metallic member(s) from the housing to manipulate matter within the said space and for withdrawing the metallic member(s) into the housing, the arrangement being such that the metallic member(s) bend(s) or twist(s) pseudoelastically in a lateral or helical sense to manipulate the matter on extending from the housing at the said manipulation temperature, and become(s) relatively straightened on withdrawal into the housing at the said temperature.

Preferably the invention provides such a device or apparatus which is of elongate form for surgical manipulation of matter within a living body, and which has the manipulator means at its distal end with the metallic member(s) having pseudoelasticity at the temperature to be encountered within that body, and wherein the actuating means is operable from the proximal end of the device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for passing a ligature around an object, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a cannula hating a longitudinal bore extending therethrough;

(b) a member disposed within said longitudinal bore and expendable therefrom, said member having, i) a proximal segment, and ii) a distal segment coupled to said proximal segment and at least partially constructed of an elastic material, said distal segment assuming a first shape when extended from said bore and assuming a second shape when withdrawn into said bore;

(c) a distal end structure, at a distal end of said member, for contacting the object to be manipulated; and

(d) retainer means, located near a distal end of said distal segment of said member, for retaining a segment of the ligature during movement of said member into or out of said cannula, so to enable passing the ligature around the object during movement of said member.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said retainer means comprises a hook formed into said member.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said hook is formed as a groove in said distal segment.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said hook is plastically bent into said distal segment.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cannula further comprises means for holding an end of said ligature to said cannula.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for holding comprises a post including a lateral protrusion over which said ligature may be held, to elevate said ligature from said cannula in order that said hook may more readily hook said ligature.

7. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said means for holding an end moves sideways relative to the longitudinal dimension of said cannula when said member extends from said cannula.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cannula further comprises grabber means for grabbing said ligature;

and said first shape, which said distal segment assumes upon extension from said cannula, places said retainer means adjacent to said grabber means.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said retainer means comprises an eye or groove near a distal end of said distal segment, adapted to retain said ligature during extension of said member from said cannula, and adapted such that said grabber means pulls said ligature out of said groove or through said eye upon retraction of said member.

10. An apparatus for passing a ligature around an object, said apparatus comprising:

(a) cannula having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough;

(b) a member disposed within said longitudinal bore and extendable therefrom, said member having, i) a proximal segment, and ii) a distal segment coupled to said proximal segment and at least partially constructed of an elastic material, said distal segment assuming a first shape when extended from said bore and assuming a second shape when withdrawn into said bore;

(c) a distal end structure, at a distal end of said member, for contacting said object to be manipulated;

(d) retainer means comprising a hook formed into said member, located near a distal end of said distal segment of said member, for retaining a segment of said ligature during movement of said member into or out of said cannula, to pass said ligature around said object, and

(e) a post over which said ligature may be held in a doubled fashion, said post having a means for positioning said ligature for easy grasping of said ligature by said hook.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said cannula further comprises means for temporarily holding a loop of said ligature substantially circumferentially about said cannula.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said means for temporarily holding comprises a sliding sleeve, slideably mounted unto the distal end of said cannula such that said member may pass through said sliding sleeve.

13. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a cannula having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough;

(b) a member movably disposed within the longitudinal bore of the cannula, the member comprising a proximal segment and a distal segment coupled to the proximal segment, the distal segment at least partially comprising means comprised of a pseudoelastic material for assuming a pseudoelastically deformed first shape when disposed within the longitudinal bore, and for pseudoelastically transforming from the first shape to a second shape when extended from the longitudinal bore, the first shape having substantially the same configuration as the longitudinal bore;

(c) a distal end structure disposed at a distal end of the distal segment for contacting the object, the distal end structure being spaced from the longitudinal bore;

when the distal segment is extended from the longitudinal bore and wherein said member is disposed within said longitudinal bore of said cannula such that said distal segment extends from said longitudinal bore in a predetermined lateral orientation; and

the apparatus further comprises means for indicating said predetermined lateral orientation.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the pseudoelastic material exhibits linear pseudoelastic behavior.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the pseudoelastic material exhibits superelastic behavior.

16. Apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means for preventing said member from rotating within said cannula.