Disassembly methods facilitating reprocessing of multi-function surgical instruments

• US 10,828,756 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2018
• Issued: 11/10/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Twomey, John R., Allen, IV, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Afzali, Sarang
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hidalgo-Hernandez, Ruth G
• Application Number:
  US15/960,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20190321950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• 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 2018/1422 Hook
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1475 Electrodes retractable in or deployable from a housing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/025 For detaching only
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 27/02 for connecting objects by press fit or detaching same B25D1/16 takes precedence

Abstract

A method of disassembling a surgical instrument includes obtaining a surgical instrument including a housing, an input shaft defining an axis and extending from the housing, and a paddle engaged with the input shaft and configured to pivot about the axis. The method further includes disengaging a cover plate of the paddle from a body of the paddle by providing a force to the cover plate substantially in a direction parallel to the axis and disengaging the body from the input shaft by providing a force to the body substantially in a direction parallel to the axis.

Claims

1. A method of disassembling a surgical instrument, comprising:

obtaining a surgical instrument including a housing, an input shaft defining an axis and extending from the housing, and a paddle engaged with the input shaft and configured to pivot about the axis;

disengaging a cover plate of the paddle from a body of the paddle by providing a force to the cover plate substantially in a direction parallel to the axis, wherein disengaging the cover plate includes engaging a set screw with the cover plate and manipulating the set screw to provide the force to the cover plate; and

disengaging the body from the input shaft by providing a force to the body substantially in a direction parallel to the axis.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein disengaging the body from the input shaft includes engaging a removal tool with the body and actuating a lever of the removal tool to provide the force to the body.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein engaging the removal tool with the body includes engaging an inner shaft of the removal tool with the body, and wherein actuating the lever of the removal tool slides an outer shaft of the removal tool relative to the inner shaft and into contact with the housing to provide the force to the body.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the lever of the removal tool is pivotably coupled to the inner shaft and coupled to the outer shaft via a rack and pinion, and wherein actuating the lever includes pivoting the lever relative to the inner shaft.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the removal tool further includes an insert disposed therein, the insert urging arms of the input shaft inwardly prior to providing the force to the body to facilitate removal of the body from the input shaft.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the set screw is engaged with the cover plate in alignment with the axis.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein engaging the set screw includes drilling a pilot hole through the cover plate and threading the set screw into the pilot hole.

8. A method of disassembling a surgical instrument, comprising:

obtaining a surgical instrument including a housing, an input shaft defining an axis and extending from the housing, and a paddle engaged with the input shaft and configured to pivot about the axis;

disengaging a cover plate of the paddle from a body of the paddle by providing a force to the cover plate substantially in a direction parallel to the axis; and

disengaging the body from the input shaft by providing a force to the body substantially in a direction parallel to the axis, wherein disengaging the body from the input shaft includes engaging a removal tool with the body and actuating a lever of the removal tool to provide the force to the body, wherein engaging the removal tool with the body includes engaging an inner shaft of the removal tool with the body, and wherein actuating the lever of the removal tool slides an outer shaft of the removal tool relative to the inner shaft and into contact with the housing to provide the force to the body.