Clamp having bendable shaft
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A clamp, comprising:
- a handle assembly;
a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element; and
a shaft assembly having;
a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly, the flexible shaft defining a bore;
a cable which extends through the bore of the flexible shaft, the cable having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly; and
a plurality of rigid telescoping tubes that can be oriented in a first position where the telescoping tubes are nested within each other, and in a second position where the telescoping tubes are fully deployed to completely cover the flexible shaft.
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Abstract
A clamp has a handle assembly, a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element, and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly has a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly. The flexible shaft also defines a bore that retains a cable which is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also includes a retractable generally rigid covering which can be oriented in a first position where the covering exposes a portion of the flexible shaft, and in a second position where the covering completely covers the flexible shaft.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A clamp, comprising:
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a handle assembly;
a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element; and
a shaft assembly having;
a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly, the flexible shaft defining a bore;
a cable which extends through the bore of the flexible shaft, the cable having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly; and
a plurality of rigid telescoping tubes that can be oriented in a first position where the telescoping tubes are nested within each other, and in a second position where the telescoping tubes are fully deployed to completely cover the flexible shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
a proximal tube having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the flexible shaft, and with the plurality of telescoping tubes slidable over the proximal tube.
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10. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes:
a calibration assembly coupled to the proximal end of the cable for adjusting the tension of the cable.
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11. The clamp of claim 10, wherein the calibration assembly includes:
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a cable holder that retains the proximal end of the cable; and
an adjuster piece having a coupling mechanism that couples the cable holder.
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12. The clamp of claim 10, wherein the calibration assembly includes:
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a stop member positioned in the handle assembly;
a proximal tube retained in the handle assembly and having a proximal end that is threadably connected to the stop member; and
a plurality of washers positioned at the threaded connection between the proximal tube and the stop member.
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13. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the handle assembly includes:
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a first handle piece;
a second handle piece pivotable with respect to the first handle piece;
a transmission link coupled to the second handle piece and the cable; and
a resilient element biasing the transmission link in a distal direction.
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14. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the plurality of telescoping tubes are non-rotational.
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15. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the jaws are non-rotational and are capable of supporting axial loads, side loads, moments, and torques.
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16. The clamp of claim 1, wherein the plurality of telescoping tubes are nested inside the handle assembly in the first position.
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17. A clamp, comprising:
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a handle assembly;
a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element; and
a shaft assembly having;
a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly, the flexible shaft defining a bore;
a cable which extends through the bore of the flexible shaft, the cable having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly; and
a retractable generally rigid covering that can be oriented in a first position where the covering exposes a portion of the flexible shaft, and in a second position where the covering completely covers the flexible shaft. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A surgical method, comprising:
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a. providing a clamp, comprising;
a handle assembly;
a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element; and
a shaft assembly having a flexible shaft having a proximal end that is coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is coupled to the gripping assembly, and a retractable rigid covering that completely covers the flexible shaft so that a region of the flexible shaft is generally rigid;
b. introducing the jaws through a surgical site or a trocar;
c. closing the jaws to grip a blood vessel;
d. withdrawing the covering from the flexible shaft so that a portion of the region of the flexible shaft is completely flexible; and
e. moving the handle assembly away from the surgical site. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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26. A clamp comprising:
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a handle assembly;
a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element; and
a shaft assembly having;
a flexible elongate member having a proximal end that is operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly; and
a movable covering coaxial to the elongate member that can be placed in a first position where the covering exposes a portion of the flexible shaft, and in a second position where the covering covers a substantial portion of the flexible shaft.
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Specification