Articulating endoscopic surgical apparatus

• US 7,087,071 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Issued: 08/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Aranyi, Ernie, Bolanos, Henry, Nicholas, David A., Matula, Paul A., Zvenyatsky, Boris, Green, David T., Remiszewski, Stanley H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Webb, Sarah K.
• Application Number:
  US10/037,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20020177874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 606/206, 604/664
• US Class Current: 606/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0218 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0281, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/29 Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
• 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 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/292 connection of actuating rod to handle, e.g. ball end in recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 Pins in guiding slots

Abstract

A surgical instrument is provided for use in endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures. The instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic portion extending from the handle portion, an articulating section pivotably connected to a distal end portion of the endoscopic portion, and a retractor assembly operatively associated with the articulating section. Structure is provided for manipulating the articulating section relative to the longitudinal axis of the endoscopic portion within an angular degree of rotation. An injection port may also be provided to deliver fluids through the endoscopic portion to the operative site.

Claims

1. An endoscopic surgical apparatus comprising:

a handle portion

an endoscopic portion defining a longitudinal axis and extending distally from the handle portion, the endoscopic portion being rotatably supported by the handle portion about its longitudinal axis and including an elongated tubular section having a proximal end and a distal end;

an articulating portion pivotally supported on the distal end of the elongated tubular section;

a tool head supported by the articulating portion, the tool head including cooperating jaws, each of the jaws being movable in relation to each other and the articulating portion between open and closed positions;

a link supported within the endoscopic portion, the link having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end operatively connected to the articulating portion and being movable within the endoscopic portion to pivot the articulation portion about an axis transverse to a longitudinal axis of the endoscopic portion; and

an actuation member supported within the endoscopic portion, the actuation member having a distal end operatively connected to the tool head and being movable with the endoscopic portion to move the cooperating jaws between the open and closed positions.

2. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the actuation member includes a flexible cable.

3. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooperating jaws are configured as graspers.

4. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further including a rotatable collar secured to the proximal end of the endoscopic portion and supported on the handle portion, the collar being rotatable to effect rotation of the endoscopic portion in relation to the handle portion.

5. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion includes a fixed handle and a movable handle, the movable handle being operatively connected to the link and being actuable to move the link within the endoscopic portion.

6. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 5, further including a rod interconnecting the distal end of the link to the articulating portion, the rod being pivotally connected to the link and the articulating portion.

7. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the articulating portion is pivotable about a pivot point within a 90°

sector of rotation.

8. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooperating jaws are configured as multiple blade members.

9. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongated tubular section includes a longitudinal slot extending proximally from the distal end thereof, the articulating portion being pivotally supported within the longitudinal slot.

10. An endoscopic surgical apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a rotatable wing member secured to the proximal end of the link and supported on the handle, the wing member being rotatable to effect rotation of the articulating portion in relation to the handle portion to a predetermined position.