Clamp having bendable shaft
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A clamp comprising:
- a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element;
a handle assembly having means for locking the pair of jaws in a closed position, the locking means having means for adjusting the locking force of the jaws; and
a shaft assembly having;
a flexible shaft 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 rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.
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Accused Products
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 operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly. The shaft assembly also has a rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A clamp comprising:
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a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element;
a handle assembly having means for locking the pair of jaws in a closed position, the locking means having means for adjusting the locking force of the jaws; and
a shaft assembly having;
a flexible shaft 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 rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element supports the shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the shaft can be bent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
a ratchet rack pivotally coupled to the first and second handle pieces, the ratchet rack having a tooth; and
a ratchet that is normally biased towards the ratchet rack, and having means for engaging the tooth on the ratchet rack.
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3. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the ratchet is pivotally coupled to the second handle piece.
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4. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the ratchet has a portion that is pushed to pivot the ratchet away from the ratchet rack to release the engagement of the engaging means with the tooth on the ratchet rack.
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5. The clamp of claim 4, wherein the ratchet assembly further includes at least one release button that is coupled to the ratchet to pivot the ratchet away from the ratchet rack to release the engagement of the tooth of the ratchet rack with the engaging means.
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6. The clamp of claim 4, wherein the portion is a dial that is provided at one end of the ratchet.
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7. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the ratchet assembly further includes at least one release button that is coupled to the ratchet to pivot the ratchet away from the ratchet rack to release the engagement of the tooth of the ratchet rack with the engaging means.
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8. The clamp of claim 7, wherein the ratchet assembly further includes a rod which is coupled to the ratchet and the at least one release button, and wherein pivoting of the at least one release button causes the rod to experience longitudinal motion which pivots the ratchet.
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9. The clamp of claim 7, wherein the at least one release button comprises two release buttons.
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10. The clamp of claim 7, wherein the at least one release button is pivotally coupled to the second handle piece.
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11. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the ratchet assembly further includes a spring that biases the ratchet towards the ratchet rack.
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12. The clamp of claim 2, wherein the adjusting means includes the engaging means, with the engaging means having an elongate member that has a helical groove that also defines a continuous path that includes a plurality of teeth, with the tooth of the ratchet rack adapted to engage the groove and to travel along the continuous path.
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13. The clamp of claim 1, further including a first release mechanism and a second release mechanism, wherein the first and second release mechanisms are coupled to the ratchet assembly, and wherein the ratchet assembly can be disengaged by actuating:
- (i) the first release mechanism, or (ii) the second release mechanism, or (iii) both the first and second release mechanisms.
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14. 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;
a shaft assembly having a flexible shaft 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 rigid element that can be removably coupled to the shaft in a manner so that when the rigid element is coupled to the shaft, the shaft cannot be bent, and when the rigid element is not coupled to the shaft, the shaft can be bent. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. 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;
a shaft assembly having a flexible shaft 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 rigid element that can be placed in a first position where the rigid element extends parallel to the shaft along the length of the shaft so that the shaft cannot be bent, and in a second position where the rigid element extends parallel to the shaft along a portion of the shaft so that portions of the shaft can be bent. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. 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;
a shaft assembly having;
a flexible shaft 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 adjacent to and external of the handle assembly, and in a second position where the telescoping tubes are fully deployed to completely cover the flexible shaft. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. 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;
a shaft assembly having;
a flexible shaft 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 adjacent the gripping assembly, and in a second position where the telescoping tubes are fully deployed to completely cover the flexible shaft. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of using a clamp during a surgical procedure, 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 operatively coupled to the handle assembly and a distal end that is operatively coupled to the gripping assembly;
a plurality of rigid telescoping tubes that can be oriented in a first position where the telescoping tubes are nested within each other adjacent the gripping assembly, the telescoping tubes including a proximal telescoping tube; and
a knob that is attached to the proximal telescoping tube, and which is releasably locked with the handle assembly;
b. fully deploying the telescoping tubes into a second position where the telescoping tubes completely cover the flexible shaft in a manner where the shaft cannot be bent;
c. introducing the jaws into a surgical site via an opening that has a size which is smaller than a surgeon'"'"'s hand; and
d. manipulating the jaws inside the surgical site solely by controlling the knob. - View Dependent Claims (39)
e. closing the jaws inside the surgical site solely by controlling the handle assembly that is positioned away from the surgical site.
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40. A clamp comprising:
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a gripping assembly having a pair of jaws that can be opened and closed to grip an element;
a shaft assembly having a shaft 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 handle assembly having;
a first handle piece and a second handle piece;
a ratchet rack pivotally coupled to the first and second handle pieces, the ratchet rack having a tooth; and
means coupled to the second handle piece for releasably engaging the tooth on the ratchet rack, the engaging means having means for providing both discrete adjustment and continuous adjustment of the locking force of the jaws. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42)
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Specification