Surgical instrument with improved handle assembly
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a handle assembly;
a cartridge of surgical staples removably attached to the handle assembly and operable by the handle assembly, the cartridge comprising jaws adapted to receive one of the surgical staples and to crimp the received surgical staple;
a first handle and a second handle included in the handle assembly and being pivotal at a fulcrum and relative to an axis, between an open position and a closed position;
a first flange fixed to the first handle and extending inwardly toward the second handle, the first flange including portions defining a first elongate slot;
a second flange fixed to the second handle and extending inwardly toward the first handle, the second flange including portions defining a second elongate slot;
the first slot being disposed at an angle to the second slot and intersecting the second slot at a point of operation between the open position and the closed position of the handles, the point of operation moving longitudinally with respect to the handle assembly along the first and second slots between the open position and the closed position of the handles; and
an operating pin included in the cartridge and disposed in the slots at the point of operation, the operating pin movable to selectively advance the surgical staples within the cartridge into the jaws of the cartridge as the handles move between the open position and the closed position.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular clip applier includes a cartridge containing multiple surgical clips, and a handle assembly for operating the cartridge to crimp one of the clips onto body tissue of a patient. The handle assembly has a scissors configuration with a bayonet coupling, and flange pairs widely separated to provide a high degree of stability. The bayonet coupling enables the handles of the assembly to be fully separated for cleaning. Snap fittings between the cartridge and handle assembly are provided at the fulcrum and also at a spaced location where an operating pin of the cartridge engages intersecting slots in the flanges. Overdrive protection of three different types is contemplated along with a structure facilitating operation of the handle assembly by palming a pair of handle bars.
137 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a handle assembly; a cartridge of surgical staples removably attached to the handle assembly and operable by the handle assembly, the cartridge comprising jaws adapted to receive one of the surgical staples and to crimp the received surgical staple; a first handle and a second handle included in the handle assembly and being pivotal at a fulcrum and relative to an axis, between an open position and a closed position; a first flange fixed to the first handle and extending inwardly toward the second handle, the first flange including portions defining a first elongate slot; a second flange fixed to the second handle and extending inwardly toward the first handle, the second flange including portions defining a second elongate slot; the first slot being disposed at an angle to the second slot and intersecting the second slot at a point of operation between the open position and the closed position of the handles, the point of operation moving longitudinally with respect to the handle assembly along the first and second slots between the open position and the closed position of the handles; and an operating pin included in the cartridge and disposed in the slots at the point of operation, the operating pin movable to selectively advance the surgical staples within the cartridge into the jaws of the cartridge as the handles move between the open position and the closed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a handle assembly having a proximal end and a distal end; a first handle and a second handle included in the handle assembly, the first handle being moveable at a pivot point on the second handle between an open position and a closed position; a first flange integrally formed with the first handle and extending toward the second handle, the first flange having a first planar surface; a second flange integrally formed with the second handle and extending toward the first handle, the second flange having a second planar surface substantially parallel to the first planar surface; a first alignment surface integrally formed with the first handle, the first alignment surface being positioned distal the first flange and framing the pivot point; a second alignment surface integrally formed with the second handle, the second alignment surface being positioned distal the second flange, substantially parallel to the first alignment surface, and framing the pivot point; a female bayonet fitting disposed at the pivot point on the first handle; a male bayonet fitting disposed at the pivot point on the second handle; and a cartridge of at least one of surgical staples and clips, the cartridge comprising an operating pin removably attached to the first and second flanges of the handle assembly and operable by the first and second flanges of the handle assembly, and the cartridge further comprising a projection removably attached to at least one of the male bayonet fitting and the female bayonet fitting, the female bayonet fitting and the male bayonet fitting having a first relative position permitting assembly and disassembly of the first handle and the second handle, and a second relative position permitting pivotal movement of the first handle relative to the second handle between the open position and the closed position; the first planar surface of the first flange slidingly engaging the second planar surface of the second flange, thereby providing a first point of stability that inhibits movement of the first flange in a direction transverse to the second planar surface, and the first alignment surface aligning with the second alignment surface, thereby providing a second point of stability disposed in a spaced relationship with the first point of stability. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification