Surgical tool

• US 5,919,206 A
• Filed: 02/20/1998
• Issued: 07/06/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: C.M. Wright, Inc.
• Original Assignee: C M Wright Incorporated
• Inventors: Sitton, William W., Gengler, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/027,368
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 606/205, 606/206, 606/207, 606/208, 606/209, 606/210, 606/211, 606/170, 606/171, 606/172, 606/173, 606/174
• US Class Current: 606/205
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/06 Biopsy forceps , e.g. with cup-shaped jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• 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 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2944 Translation of jaw members

Abstract

A tool for cutting and/or grasping pieces of food particles or human tissue which includes a pair of jaw members having a first pivot connection and a second camming connection arranged to cause the jaw members to move laterally relative to one another during closing movement thereof, and to cause the closing force applied to the jaw members to increase as the jaw members move relative to one in a closing direction.

Claims

1. A tool for cutting and/or grasping pieces of food particles or human tissue, said tool comprising:

(a) a pair of jaw members, each having one end an extending end and a generally similar extending length, therebetween with one of said jaw members being relatively fixed and with one of said jaw members being relatively movable with respect to the other;

(b) a first pivot connection between said pair of jaw members located at one end thereof, said first connection comprising a first slot formed in one of said jaw members that extends along an axis generally parallel to the extending length of said one jaw member, and a first pivot pin fixed to the other of said jaw members and disposed in said first slot;

(c) a second camming connection between said pair of jaw members located between said first pivot connection and the extending ends of said jaw members, said second camming connection including a second slot formed in one of said jaw members that extends along an axis disposed at an acute angle to said extending length of said one jaw member, and a second pin fixed to the other of said jaw members and disposed in said second slot; and

(d) an operating member attached to said relatively movable jaw member at its end opposite its said extending end and arranged to exert on said movable jaw member a pulling and pushing force directed generally parallel to the extending length of said relatively fixed jaw member, said pulling force causing said movable jaw member to have a first pivotable component of movement about said first pivot connection relative to said fixed jaw member, and to have a second lateral component of movement about said second camming connection to cause said movable jaw member to move laterally relative to said fixed jaw member in a direction generally parallel to the extending length thereof and in a direction generally toward said first pivot connection, whereby said first pivot connection and said second camming connection cooperate to cause said pulling force to be applied to said movable jaw member in an increasing amount during its movement toward said fixed jaw member.

2. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said movable jaw member has a pointed hook portion formed at the extending thereof.

3. A tool as defined in claim 2, wherein said fixed jaw member is formed with an enlarged opening for receiving therein said movable jaw member when said pulling force is applied to said movable jaw member, wherein said fixed jaw member is formed with a cutting edge portion adjacent its extending end, and wherein said hook portion of said movable jaw member is caused to move inwardly relative to said cutting edge portion and in close proximity thereto by said second lateral component of movement when said pulling force is applied to said movable jaw member.

4. A tool as defined in claim 1, wherein said first slot is formed in said fixed jaw member, and wherein said second slot is formed in said movable jaw member.

5. A tool for cutting and/or grasping pieces of food particles or human tissue, said tool comprising:

(a) a first relatively fixed jaw member having an inner end portion an extending end and an extending length therebetween, said fixed jaw member having an enlarged opening formed therein terminating at its extending end with a cutting edge portion;

(b) a second relatively movable jaw member having an inner end portion and an extending length therefrom, said movable jaw member having a pointed hook portion formed at the extending end thereof;

(c) a first pivot connection between said pair of jaw members located adjacent said inner ends thereof comprising a first slot formed in said fixed jaw member that extends along an axis generally parallel to the extending length of said fixed jaw member, and a first pivot pin fixed to said movable jaw member and disposed in said first slot;

(d) a second camming connection between said first and second jaw members located between said first pivot connection and the extending ends of said first and second jaw members, said second camming connection including a second slot formed in said movable jaw member that extends along an axis disposed at an acute angle to said extending length of said movable jaw member, and a second pin fixed to said fixed jaw member and disposed in said second slot; and

(e) an operating member attached to said inner end of said movable jaw member and arranged to exert on said movable jaw member a pulling and pushing force directed generally parallel to the extending length of said fixed jaw member, said pulling force causing said movable jaw member to have a first pivotable component of movement about said first pivot connection relative to said fixed jaw member, and to have a second lateral component of movement about said second camming connection to cause said movable jaw member to move laterally relative to said fixed jaw member in a direction generally parallel to the extending length thereof and in a direction generally toward said first pivot connection, said first pivot connection and said second camming connection cooperating to cause an increasing portion of said pulling force to be applied to said movable jaw member during its movement toward said fixed jaw member, and to cause said hook portion of said movable jaw member to be moved inwardly relative to said cutting edge portion of said fixed jaw member and in close proximity thereto by said second lateral component of movement when said pulling force is applied to said movable jaw member.