Jaw assembly for endoscopic instruments

• US 6,733,514 B2
• Filed: 10/05/2001
• Issued: 05/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teleflex Medical Incorporated (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pilling Weck Incorporated (Teleflex Incorporated)
• Inventors: Miser, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US09/971,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20030069598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 606/205-210, 606/170, 606/119, 606/120
• US Class Current: 606/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots

Abstract

A jaw mechanism for an endoscopic instrument is provided. The mechanism includes a drive rod having at least one boss radially protruding from a distal portion of the drive rod. A portion of the jaw mechanism has at least one groove that slidingly engages the at least one boss. A proximal portion of the drive rod is adapted to interface with an actuation mechanism. When actuated, the drive rod moves axially through a tubular member. The at least one boss travels through the at least one groove, causing the jaw mechanism to pivot around a pivot point connected to the distal portion of the tubular member.

Claims

1. An endoscopic instrument comprising:

a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;

a handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member, the handle having an actuating mechanism;

a drive rod disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the drive rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the drive rod being coupled to the actuating mechanism of the handle such that the drive rod moves axially within the lumen in response to a change in force applied to the actuating mechanism;

at least one boss protruding radially from a portion of the drive rod near the distal end of the drive rod; and

at least one instrument member pivotally connected to a pivot pin, the pivot pin being coupled to the distal end of the tubular member thereby preventing axial movement, a portion of the at least one instrument member being adapted to slidingly engage the at least one boss.

2. The instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one instrument member is a jaw member.

3. An endoscopic instrument comprising:

a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;

a handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member, the handle having an actuating mechanism;

a drive rod disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the drive rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the drive rod being coupled to the actuating mechanism of the handle such that the drive rod moves axially within the lumen in response to a change in force applied to the actuating mechanism;

at least one boss protruding radially from a portion of the drive rod near the distal end of the drive rod; and

at least one jaw member pivotally connected to a pivot pin, the pivot pin being coupled to the distal end of the tubular member thereby preventing axial movement, a portion of the at least one jaw member having a groove, wherein the groove slidingly engages the at least one boss.

4. The instrument of claim 3, wherein a first jaw member is pivotally connected to the pivot pin and a second jaw member is fixedly connected to the distal end of the tubular member.

5. The instrument of claim 3, wherein a first jaw member and a second jaw member are each pivotally connected to the pivot pin, a portion of each of the first jaw member and the second jaw member having a groove, wherein each groove slidingly engages a corresponding boss.

6. The instrument of claim 5, wherein each groove is open at one end.

7. The instrument of claim 3, wherein each jaw member includes a stop, the stop of the first jaw member cooperating with the stop of the second jaw member to limit a range of pivotal rotation of the first jaw member and the second jaw member.

8. The endoscopic instrument of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the groove of the at least one jaw member extends proximal to the pivot pin.

10. The endoscopic instrument of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the groove of the at least one jaw member extends proximal to the pivot pin.

9. An endoscopic instrument comprising:

a tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough;

a handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member, the handle having an actuating mechanism;

a drive rod disposed within the lumen of the tubular member, the drive rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the drive rod being coupled to the actuating mechanism of the handle such that the drive rod moves axially within the lumen in response to a change in force applied to the actuating mechanism;

at least one boss protruding radially from a portion of the drive rod near the distal end of the drive rod; and

at least one jaw member at least partially disposed within the distal end of the tubular member, the at least one jaw member pivotally engaging a pivot pin, the pivot pin being inserted through a hole in at least one side of the distal end of the tubular member thereby preventing axial movement of the at least one jaw member, a portion of the at least one jaw member having a groove, wherein the groove slidingly engages the at least one boss.