Endoscopic microsurgical instruments and methods
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- an outer shaft;
an inner shaft generally parallel to the outer shaft and movable relative thereto;
an actuator body attached to a first shaft selected from the outer shaft and the inner shaft;
a first arm linked to a second shaft selected from the outer shaft and the inner shaft and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the actuator body and the distal end extending distally and outwardly from the actuator body on a first lateral side of the outer shaft to form an acute angle therewith;
a second arm linked to the second shaft and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the actuator body, and the distal end extending distally and outwardly from the actuator body on a second lateral side of the outer shaft opposite the first lateral side to form an acute angle therewith, the distal ends of the first and second arms being pivotable between an open position away from each other and a closed position closer to each other so as to move the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft; and
a locking mechanism coupled to the first arm and configured to engage the second arm in the closed position to retain the first and second arms in the closed position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides devices and method for performing extremely small-scale, minimally-invasive microsurgery such as thoracoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting. The instruments of the invention utilize a symmetrical, forcep-like actuator which provides extremely precise actuation and control of the instrument and which mimics the feel of instruments used in conventional open surgical procedures. The instruments generally include a pair of coaxially arranged shafts, an end-effect at the distal ends of the shafts, and an actuator at the proximal ends of the shafts. The actuator includes a pair of arms pivotally coupled to one of either the outer or inner shaft, and a pair of links pivotally coupled at one end to the arms, and at a second end to the other of the shafts. The links are coupled to a proximal portion of the arms to maximize mechanical advantage and reduce interference. The actuator may be easily adapted for either pull-type or push-type actuation, and for either outer shaft or inner shaft translation. The end-effectors may have a variety of configurations, including needle drivers, forceps, scissors, and clip appliers.
450 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an outer shaft; an inner shaft generally parallel to the outer shaft and movable relative thereto; an actuator body attached to a first shaft selected from the outer shaft and the inner shaft; a first arm linked to a second shaft selected from the outer shaft and the inner shaft and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the actuator body and the distal end extending distally and outwardly from the actuator body on a first lateral side of the outer shaft to form an acute angle therewith; a second arm linked to the second shaft and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the actuator body, and the distal end extending distally and outwardly from the actuator body on a second lateral side of the outer shaft opposite the first lateral side to form an acute angle therewith, the distal ends of the first and second arms being pivotable between an open position away from each other and a closed position closer to each other so as to move the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft; and a locking mechanism coupled to the first arm and configured to engage the second arm in the closed position to retain the first and second arms in the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an outer shaft; an inner shaft generally parallel to the outer sly and movable relative thereto; an actuator body attached to a first shaft selected from the outer shaft and the inner shaft; a first arm linked to a second shaft selected from the outer shaft and the inner shaft and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the actuator body and the distal end extending distally and outwardly from the actuator body on a first lateral side of the outer shaft to form an acute angle therewith; a second arm linked to the second shaft and having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the actuator body, and the distal end extending distally and outwardly from the actuator body on a second lateral side of the outer shaft opposite the first lateral side to form an acute angle therewith, the distal ends of the first and second arms being pivotable between an open position away from each other and a closed position closer to each other so as to move the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft; and a flat spring having a first end engaging an inner surface of the first arm and a second end engaging an inner surface of the second arm for biasing the first and second arms into the open position. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an outer shaft; an inner shaft generally parallel to the outer shaft and movable relative thereto; an actuator body attached to a first shaft selected from the outer shaft and the inner shaft, the actuator body having a longitudinal channel therein; a clevis slidably positioned in the longitudinal channel and attached to a second shaft selected from the outer shaft and the inner shaft; a first arm linked to the clevis and having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the actuator body and the distal end extending distally and outwardly from the actuator body on a first lateral side of the outer shaft to form an acute angle therewith; a second arm linked to the clevis and having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being pivotally coupled to the actuator body, and the distal end extending distally and outwardly from the actuator body on a second lateral side of the outer shaft opposite the first lateral side to form an acute angle therewith, the distal ends of the first and second arms being pivotable between an open position away from each other and a closed position closer to each other so as to slide the clevis within the longitudinal channel, thereby moving the inner shaft relative to the outer shaft. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification