Tweezers Patents (Class 606/210)
  • Patent number: 11497486
    Abstract: An endoscopic needle holder for handling curved needles includes an articulated assembly including a first gripping jaw forming one piece with a duct and a second gripping jaw actuated by the movable core in transverse displacement; the jaws are made of coaxial cylindrical parts with the mobile core; the first jaw has a plurality of longitudinally extending peripheral teeth; the second jaw consists of a cylindrical part with a plurality of peripheral teeth; and the second jaw is movable with respect to the first jaw by a longitudinal linear displacement between a rest position, where the jaws are spaced to delimit, between the ends of the teeth, an interval at least equal to the section of a needle and a close position where they keep the needle curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignees: IRCAD, INSTITUT DE RECHERCHE CONTRE, LES CANCERS DE L'APPAREIL DIGESTIF, INSTITUT HOSPITALO-UNIVERSITAIRE DE CHIRURGIE MINI-INVASIVE GUIDEE PAR L'IMAGE
    Inventors: Juan Hernandez, Andras Legner
  • Patent number: 11498188
    Abstract: A gripping tool includes first and second arms connected to each other at proximal ends, a first gripping portion having a first gripping surface, and a second gripping portion having a second gripping surface. The first and second gripping surfaces are in planar contact with each other when the first and second arms are pressed toward each other in closing directions. At least one of the first and second gripping portions is an elastic part extending toward the proximal end. When the first and second arms are further pressed in the closing directions from a state in which the first and second gripping surfaces are in planar contact with each other, the elastic part is elastically deformed while maintaining the planar contact between the first gripping surface and the second gripping surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: SIMIAN LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Hantani
  • Patent number: 11344096
    Abstract: Tweezers 8 are provided with a pair of resilient gripping sections 80 and 81 and include an elliptic projection 85 restricting movement in a gripping direction provided on the inside in substantially the center in a longitudinal direction of the other-side gripping section 81. Preferably, a one-side gripping surface 80a of the one-side gripping section 80 is a plane, and the other-side gripping surface 81a of the other-side gripping section 81 is a reduction plane formed by cutting out a rear end side of an opposing plane symmetrically formed in the plane. The one-side gripping section 80 preferably includes a recess 80c in a direction in which a gripping interval narrows from a rear end side in a longitudinal direction toward a tip side. It is preferable that an engaging recess 81c be formed on an opposite side of the one-side gripping section 80 including the projection 85.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: SIMIAN LTD.
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Hantani
  • Patent number: 11311305
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate generally to surgical instruments, tools, and apparatuses for medical use, including, but not limited to, forceps, tweezers, and pincers, as well as other anatomical tools for surgical and medical uses, and, more specifically, to surgical instruments implementing a coupling member to effectuate multiple pivot axes enhance, for example, effective lengths with which to access an internal surgical site. In some examples, a surgical instrument may include lever members, each of which may include a pivot portion, a force application portion, and a contacting portion. The surgical instrument may also include a coupling member configured to position multiple pivot portions adjacent proximal ends of a first and second lever member to effectuate a closing state at which contacting portions are positioned at a second distance, which is less than the first distance, at distal ends of a first and second lever member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Arculant, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy Joung Pak, Mark Andrew Spencer
  • Patent number: 11285040
    Abstract: Controllers for dry eye treatment apparatus and methods are described herein which generally comprise a patch or strip affixed to the skin of the upper and/or lower eyelids to deliver heat to the one or more meibomian glands contained within the underlying skin. The treatment strip or strips include one or more strips configured to adhere to an underlying region of skin in proximity to one or both eyes of a subject such that the one or more strips allow for the subject to blink naturally without restriction from the one or more patches. A controller is in communication with the one or more strips and is programmable to monitor a temperature of the one or more strips to provide a treatment therapy above a threshold temperature. Additionally forceps for mechanically expressing the Meibomian glands may be included with the strips and/or controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sight Sciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Badawi, David Badawi, Scott Harshman, Daniel O'Keeffe
  • Patent number: 11172979
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of electrosurgical devices. In one embodiment a removable tip for use with an electrosurgical tool comprises a first tip member having a proximal end and a distal end; a second tip member having a proximal end and a distal end; an actuator coupled to the first tip member and the second tip member, the actuator for moving the first and second tip members between a closed position where the distal end of the first tip member and the distal end of the second tip member are proximate one another, and an open position where the distal end of the first tip member and the distal end of the second tip member are separated by a distance from one another; and an insertion member coupled with the proximal ends of the tip members for inserting the removable tip within an opening in the electrosurgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Inventor: Jamison Alexander
  • Patent number: 11154328
    Abstract: A tick removal medical tool has an arcuate scoop with a converging V-shaped groove that moves in under the rear of the tick. Upward and outward sloping edges of the groove gently lift a tick's abdomen, legs, thorax, head and mouthpieces in that order without squeezing or decapitating the tick. A compartment in a handle holds a removable live tick trap with a hinged front door. An arcuate edge of the door matches the arcuate scoop and sweeps the live tick into the trap. A thick concave urger at the door edge centers, lifts and sweeps the tick. A probe extending forward below the urger engages and lifts the tick as the probe is raised by the upward and outward sloping surfaces of the groove. The hollow handle holds supplies or receives an extended live trap with inward sloped exit preventors imprisoning multiple live ticks for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Inventor: Anthony L. Gelardi, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10952834
    Abstract: A device and method for mitigating the frequency of lost testicles during castration by stopping the testicles from ascending into the body. The device includes a compressing pair of elongated members attached to a handle. The method includes applying the device to the spermatic cord above the testicles immediately before castration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventor: Scott A. Matzenbacher
  • Patent number: 10729575
    Abstract: A device for securing an eyewear lens to a nasal applique which results in nasal dilation. The device includes a base engageable with the eyewear lens. First and second pivot units are is coupled to the base pivotal about respective pivot axes. The pivot units collectively define a nose adjustment angle therebetween, with the nose adjustment angle being generally conformable to the user's nose. The first pivot unit and the second pivot unit are configured to interact with at least one nasal applique to magnetically couple the first pivot unit and the second pivot unit to the at least one nasal applique. The magnetic coupling between the first pivot unit and the second pivot unit and the at least one nasal applique imparts a dilating force on the user's nose to dilate the nasal passageway when the at least one nasal applique is attached to the user's nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: James D. Castillo
  • Patent number: 9782174
    Abstract: The present invention relates to surgical clamps and clamp devices that provide a handle-free surgical field. The clamp jaws may be opened or closed by a rotationally or translationally moveable drive element that may be actuated from a position proximal or distal to the jaws. The surgical clamps may also be deployed using a clamp applier which slidably engages the clamp along a wire to releasably attach itself to the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Gold, David J. Danitz
  • Patent number: 9717312
    Abstract: An earring removal device is provided to remove a stud type earring. The removal device includes tips that easily interface with the earring post and backer to facilitate removal. The tips are coupled to an arcuate structure with a spring characteristic. Simple squeezing of the arcuate structure actuates the tips to separate the backer from the post. The spring characteristic is biased to keep the tips spaced apart, or open, in the absence of a squeezing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: FORTAY JEWELRY PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Andreas C. Pfahnl, Patrick R. Corneille, Jason R. Gerold, Katja U. Pfahnl
  • Patent number: 9433421
    Abstract: A surgical tool has a body including a pair of legs, each leg having a leading edge and a butt end. The pair of legs are connected at their butt ends, wherein the pair of legs are configured to come close and depart at the leading edges. A deformable connecting member connects the pair of legs to one another at the leading edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignees: JMS CO., LTD., YAMAGUCHI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Tomio Ueno, Koji Suzuki, Hideyasu Miyahara
  • Patent number: 9381040
    Abstract: An electrode guide bridge is used for inserting a cochlear implant electrode into a cochlea scala of a patient cochlea. An electrode holder encloses at least a portion of a cochlear implant electrode while allowing the electrode to slide freely without friction. A pointed distal tip of the electrode holder is sized to fit within a posterior tympanotomy during electrode insertion surgery and into an electrode opening in an outer surface of the patient cochlea without entering the cochlea scala to prevent an apical tip of the enclosed electrode from contacting tissues around the electrode opening during the insertion surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Claude Jolly, Anandhan Dhanasingh, Paul van de Heyning
  • Publication number: 20150148840
    Abstract: Tweezers are disclosed for example folding tweezers. In some implementations the tweezers include a protective member and a tweezer member pivotably mounted on the protective member to allow the tweezer member to rotate relative to the protective member between a first position, in which the tweezer member is protected by the protective member, and a second position, in which the tweezer member is exposed. The tweezer member may be mounted adjacent the distal end of the protective member, and may include a portion configured to extend beyond the distal end of the protective member when the inner tweezer member is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Richard Walter Francis
  • Patent number: 8998887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical instrument for removing tissue, in particular a shaver, drill, or morcellator, having a tool that can be set in rotation and a motorized drive for driving the tool, and having an elongate body and a handle that projects laterally from said elongate body. The handle is fastened in a detachable manner to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Markus Simmen, Raphael Spycher, Urs Vogel
  • Patent number: 8986328
    Abstract: In a background-art medical gripping device, when a wall surface of an in vivo tissue has a large tear, a side portion of the tear can be gripped by the gripping device, but the other side portion opposed to the side portion cannot be gripped simultaneously. Therefore, to close the tear, complicated operation is required to be performed using plural gripping devices. A medical gripping device according to the present invention includes a fixed clip, a pair of movable clips made from an elastic material and provided to face the fixed clip, the movable clips having lower ends fixed to the fixed clip and the other ends opened, and a control mechanism which shifts from each other a timing at which a gripping target is gripped between one of the movable clips and the fixed clip and a timing at which the target is gripped between the other movable clip and the fixed clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Piolax Medical Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Mizumoto, Tsuyoshi Nakakubo
  • Publication number: 20150005814
    Abstract: Tweezers, in particular, cosmetic tweezers, include two legs extending in longitudinal direction. The two legs have connecting ends and free ends and are connected to one another at their connecting ends. The free ends form inner jaw surfaces shaped to hold an object therebetween. Both of the legs and the connecting area are of a metallic glass or of an amorphous metal in one piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Boldt
  • Publication number: 20140379024
    Abstract: Tissue manipulation during ocular surgery may be achieved by a variety of systems and techniques. In particular implementations, a system may include spaced apart levers, hinge members, a grasping mechanism, and a guide mechanism located between the levers. A first hinge member may extend from one of the levers to the guide mechanism and move the guide mechanism in one of a proximal or distal direction when the levers are moved toward each other. The grasping mechanism may be coupled to the guide mechanism and extend distally from the guide mechanism. A second hinge member may extend from one of the levers and be coupled to a tube that surrounds a portion of the grasping mechanism. The second hinge member distally displaces the tube when the levers are moved towards each other. The relative motion of the guide mechanism and the tube may cause actuation of the grasping mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Novartis AG
    Inventors: Philipp Schaller, Reto Grueebler
  • Patent number: 8876904
    Abstract: A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. The tissue retraction assembly has a plurality of blades which may be introduced while in a closed configuration, after which point they may be opened to create an operation corridor to the surgical target site, including pivoting at least one blade to expand the operative corridor adjacent to the operative site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Luiz Pimenta, Scot Martinelli, Eric Finley, Jared Arambula
  • Patent number: 8876859
    Abstract: A blepharoplasty device includes a handle member, an elongate, curved first jaw member coupled to the handle member and having a first tissue contacting surface, and an elongate, curved second jaw member coupled to the handle member and having a second tissue contacting surface. The first and second jaw members are moveable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position to capture eyelid tissue and facilitate the cutting and subsequent reattachment of the eyelid tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Inventors: Patricia Buehler, Matthew W. Hoskins
  • Patent number: 8758394
    Abstract: A magnet positioning tool is described for use with an implantable device. The device has a pair of opposing positioning surfaces, at least one of which has a magnet cradle for mechanically engaging an implant magnet associated with a magnet position in the implantable device. The tool also includes a position engagement surface for engaging the implantable device when the magnet cradle is adjacent to the magnet position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Zimmerling, Bernhard Jamnig, Edith Sebesta, Franz Berger
  • Patent number: 8685057
    Abstract: A dental tweezers with plastic tweezers main body is disclosed. A weight cavity is disposed on both tweezers arms of the main body. Weight arms of a metal weight are inserted into the weight cavities. A weight seat holds the metal weight in place on the tweezers main body. The metal weight makes the dental tweezers feel heavier and more substantial. After the dental tweezers have been used the metal weight is removed from the main body. The plastic tweezers main body is disposed of and the metal weight is retained for future use in an new plastic tweezers main body. A use indicator of the tweezers main body indicates that the dental tweezers has been used. The use indicator provides easy determination of whether or not the dental tweezers has been previously used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Ming-Yuan Wu
  • Patent number: 8657851
    Abstract: The invention provides tweezers for microsurgery, in particular opthalmological surgery, the tweezers comprising a one-piece working part (1) of U-shape, with the free ends (2a, 3a) of each branch (2, 3) being shaped into a point, the part being derived from a flat blank of thickness (e) constituting the dimension perpendicular to the plane (P) in which the branches (2, 3) move, and elements for manipulating the working part together forming a handle for gripping the tweezers, wherein each element is in the form of an elongate body (4, 5) presenting a convex outside surface (4a, 5a) and a substantially plane surface (4b, 5b) having a longitudinal groove (6, 7) hollowed out therein to house one of the branches (2, 3) of the working part (1), the end of each handle element facing towards the points being provided with centering means (8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) co-operating with a complementary centering member of the corresponding end of the other element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Moria SA
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Aufaure, Antoine Sempe
  • Patent number: 8608774
    Abstract: The bifurcated forceps is a tweezers-like instrument having two elongate, flattened arms joined at their mutual proximal ends, and each arm extends to a distal end having two laterally separated tines extending therefrom. The mutually facing surfaces of the corresponding tines of each arm are provided with serrations or teeth along the majority of their lengths, the facing serrations meshing with one another. The bifurcated forceps may have laterally straight arms, or laterally curved arms. Reusable forceps may be formed of surgical steel, and disposable forceps may be formed of a suitable plastic. The laterally separated tines enable the bifurcated forceps to grip a portion of tissue or other matter simultaneously at two separate points, thereby holding a greater span of the tissue clear of the underlying structure to facilitate surgical procedures and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Hasan M. Sh. Sh. Alshemari
  • Patent number: 8388648
    Abstract: Tweezers for cosmetic use having two branches (3) with one metallic extremity (2) for seizing small objects, the maximum width of both branches (3) being greater than half the average width of the resting surface of the thumb of an adult user of average corpulence when said tweezers are actuated, and the maximum length of both branches (3) being less than the average length of the thumb of an adult of average corpulence. Even a person of reduced dexterity is thus capable of easily holding the inventive tweezers between two fingers to close them. Furthermore, the width of the branches (3) prevents the latter from sliding between the user's fingers and/or the tweezers from turning involuntarily when they are closed, even strongly or askew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Manufactures D'Outils Dumont SA
    Inventor: Nicole Sgobero
  • Patent number: 8361109
    Abstract: Various methods and devices are provided for providing surgical access to a body cavity using a surgical access device that can include an elongate flexible member having proximal and distal ends and a sidewall extending therebetween. The elongate flexible member can be movable between a first position in which the elongate flexible member has at least one longitudinal fold formed in the sidewall such that a width of a longitudinal opening extending through the elongate flexible member is reduced, and a second position in which the fold in the sidewall is unfolded such that a width of the longitudinal opening is increased. In some embodiments, an obturator having expansion members can be used to unfold the elongate flexible member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Cropper, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 8328843
    Abstract: A surgical instrument assembly particularly useful in endoscopic surgery includes a sleeve to be received on a user's finger and integrally formed at one side with a socket; and an elastic member formed at a mid-portion thereof with a pair of arms elastically-urged to a closed position to serve as a pair of forceps for grasping objects. The elastic member is further integrally formed at one end with a mounting strip folded to overlie said pair of arms for mounting the elastic member within said socket, and at the opposite with a finger-engageable strip folded to underlie said pair of arms. The finger-engageable strip terminates in a cam element movable by the elasticity of the elastic member between said pair of arms to cam them apart to an open position to release a grasped object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: T.A.G. Medical Devices—Agriculture Cooperative Ltd.
    Inventors: Ran Oren, Eran Zakai, Dan Moor
  • Patent number: 8328845
    Abstract: An improved device and method for the removal of objects from orifices is provided; a pair of tweezers comprising two arms, each arm having a distal end and a proximate end, the arms being connected together at their proximate ends, either or both arms including stop means for limiting a depth of insertion of either or both distal end into an orifice; and, a method of removing mucus from a nostril, including the steps of providing a pair of tweezers comprising two arms, each arm having a distal end and a proximate end, the arms being connected together at their proximate ends, either or both arms including stop means for limiting a depth of insertion of either or both distal end into an orifice; inserting the distal ends of the arms into a nostril; gripping said mucus by the squeezing together of said arms; and withdrawing said tweezers from said nostril.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Inventor: Debra L. Banks
  • Patent number: 8257388
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, e.g. forceps, and method to be used for suturing tissue are provided, the surgical instrument comprising a first arm and a second arm that are spring-connected at a proximal end, while at a distal end the first arm and the second arm can be moved towards each other, and wherein at least the first arm and/or the second arm can be provided with a bullet that is suitable for receiving and affixing a surgical needle, wherein the bullet is designed for being positioned at the distal end, at an inside and/or lower side of the end of an arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sutureaid Holdings B.V.
    Inventors: Luc de Vries, Wouter van Furth, Eric Windeler
  • Publication number: 20120209316
    Abstract: Multifunctional grooming tweezers can include a first prong extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an inner surface on one side of the first prong and an outer surface on an opposite side of the first prong. The tweezers can further include a second prong extending from a proximal end to a distal end and having an inner surface on one side of the second prong and an outer surface on an opposite side of the second prong. The first and second prongs are fixedly attached to each other solely at their proximal ends such that the distal ends of the first and second prongs are free to move relative to each other. The inner surfaces of the first and second prongs face toward each other and are spaced apart from each other along substantially the entire length of the first and second prongs, and the outer surfaces of the first and second prongs face away from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: TASO, LLC
    Inventors: Jacquelyn Tarlton, Dawn Sole
  • Patent number: 8197506
    Abstract: A wound (50) is closed using a first adhesive shoe (10) adhesively affixed adjacent to a first edge (51) of the wound, a second adhesive shoe (20) adhesively affixed adjacent to a second opposite edge (52) of the wound, a forceps device (100) comprising a first leg (101) adapted to couple with the first adhesive shoe and a second leg (102) adapted to couple with the second adhesive shoe; and a locking mechanism (150) adapted to draw the first and second forcep legs together and hold legs in the desired closed position after they are drawn together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth Burke, Gary Baier
  • Patent number: 8147512
    Abstract: A hand-operated surgical instrument with sequentially engaged tip closing guides. The instrument includes first and second arms having tips that close during a closure operation. A slotted tip closure guide on the arms engages first during the closure operation. A pin closure guide on the arms between the slotted closure guide and the tips engages during the closure operation after the engagement of the slotted closure guide. The sequential engagement of the guides provides precise approximation of the instrument tips and prevents “scissoring” of the tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: Scanlan International, Inc., Emory University
    Inventors: John Puskas, Gaylord Kube
  • Patent number: 8088142
    Abstract: A sinus membrane perforation patching material carrying and insertion instrument, comprising a central support for a quantity of a sinus membrane patching material and moveable outer supports spaced laterally outward of the central support for laterally supporting and expanding the patching material as it is forced by the central support upward over the sinus perforation to form a relatively thin laterally extending patch sealed to the sinus membrane and closing and sealing the perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jason M. Yamada
  • Patent number: 8080004
    Abstract: A laparoscopic surgical instrument configured to be ergonomic and anthropometrically correct, the laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: (a) an ergonomic handle configured to orient a hand of a surgeon in a functional position, the handle comprising a handle grip; (b) an actuating mechanism actuatable by a finger and supported by the handle, the actuating mechanism comprising an actuator shaft and a gearing assembly operable to displace the actuator shaft with a mechanical advantage upon actuation of a trigger by the surgeon; (c) a locking mechanism configured to lock the actuating mechanism in one of a plurality of positions, the locking mechanism comprising a release located in an anthropometrically correct position; and (d) a working shaft having a proximal end coupled to and operable with the actuator shaft, the working shaft having an elongate configuration and a distal working end configured to couple a surgical tool to be manipulated by the surgeon via the handle and the actuating mechanism to pe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventors: Earl Downey, Stephen B. Carter, Kenneth A. Gross, Darrin I. Schmuckle, Robson L. Splane, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8057509
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a multi-tool with more than one tweezer tip. In an example embodiment the multi-tool includes two plates and an interposed spring component. The plates have a plurality of tweezer tip pairs and the spring component permits pivoting articulation of the plates in order to apply pinching forces by the different tweezer tip pairs upon an area of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Goody Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Burgess, Tyler Garland, Aldias Rauda, Stan Chudzik, Christian Hartsfield
  • Patent number: 8048107
    Abstract: A forceps includes two arms, two nipping tips and two sleeves. Each sleeve defines a through hole therein and forms a plurality of threads on an inner surface thereof. Each arm forms a first mounting pole towards a corresponding nipping tip. Each nipping tip forms a second mounting pole towards a corresponding arm. The first and second mounting poles each have a thread section and a smooth section. The first mounting pole and the second mounting pole abut against each other and are received in the through hole of a corresponding sleeve. The thread section of the first mounting pole and the thread section of the second mounting pole cooperatively form a thread pole. The smooth section of the first mounting pole and the smooth section of the second mounting pole cooperatively form a smooth pole. The sleeve is threaded with the thread pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chi Chen
  • Patent number: 8020909
    Abstract: A pincer (e.g., a tweezer) has tips which are at least substantially transparent, such that a user can at least partially view an object being grasped through the tips, and/or such that the tips collect and channel incident light onto the grasped item. The tips preferably have an exterior which is convex in one or more dimensions, and are configured and/or coated such that light falling on the tip exteriors is focused onto a spot or band on the item. Since the tips can enhance illumination of an item being grasped, they can particularly enhance the viewing of translucent materials such as gemstones or selected biological materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Barry J. LaVaque
  • Patent number: 7985217
    Abstract: The present application relates to a urinary catheter movement system for use with a urinary catheter located within an interior volume of a urinary catheter pouch. The system can include a catheter movement controller configured to selectively control longitudinal movement of the catheter relative to a port in the pouch. The system further can include a gripper assembly configured for gripping the catheter located within the interior volume of the urinary catheter pouch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Medical Technologies of Georgia, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Mosler, Todd M. Korogi, Scott P. Jarnagin, F. Peter Hiltz, John H. Golden
  • Publication number: 20100298865
    Abstract: The invention provides tweezers for microsurgery, in particular opthalmological surgery, the tweezers comprising a one-piece working part (1) of U-shape, with the free ends (2a, 3a) of each branch (2, 3) being shaped into a point, the part being derived from a flat blank of thickness (e) constituting the dimension perpendicular to the plane (P) in which the branches (2, 3) move, and elements for manipulating the working part together forming a handle for gripping the tweezers, wherein each element is in the form of an elongate body (4, 5) presenting a convex outside surface (4a, 5a) and a substantially plane surface (4b, 5b) having a longitudinal groove (6, 7) hollowed out therein to house one of the branches (2, 3) of the working part (1), the end of each handle element facing towards the points being provided with centering means (8a, 8b, 9a, 9b) co-operating with a complementary centering member of the corresponding end of the other element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jean-Luc AUFAURE, Antoine SEMPE
  • Publication number: 20100280544
    Abstract: An improved device and method for the removal of objects from orifices is provided; a pair of tweezers comprising two arms, each arm having a distal end and a proximate end, the arms being connected together at their proximate ends, either or both arms including stop means for limiting a depth of insertion of either or both distal end into an orifice; and, a method of removing mucus from a nostril, including the steps of providing a pair of tweezers comprising two arms, each arm having a distal end and a proximate end, the arms being connected together at their proximate ends, either or both arms including stop means for limiting a depth of insertion of either or both distal end into an orifice; inserting the distal ends of the arms into a nostril; gripping said mucus by the squeezing together of said arms; and withdrawing said tweezers from said nostril.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventor: DEBRA L. BANKS
  • Patent number: 7699869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device, in particular, for the removal of parasites or ticks from the skin of animals or humans, comprises a housing, a spreading gripping tool, a spreading device, for spreading the gripping tool and a rotation device, for rotating the gripping tool about the axis of the device, whereby the gripping tool encloses a sealed cavity in the unspread state thereof for enclosing the parasite or the tick. The gripper tool is particularly made from an elastic or flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Matthias Meinhold, Hermann Kuffner
  • Publication number: 20100004678
    Abstract: A medical instrument with an ambidextrous grasping system, which includes: a single elongate arm and a double elongate arm, which are joined to one another by a joining means at the rear ends, a sliding blocking mechanism which is connected and disconnected by means of a vertical movement, and tips for medical use which are located at the front end, wherein the blocking mechanism is activated by slight pressure exerted by the user in the grasping area, in order to activate and deactivate the mechanism, whilst maintaining a constant distance between the two arms in the grasping area, in order to improve the comfort of the user; the said instrument with a grasping system does not have a pivoting point, thus facilitating its cleaning, maintenance and use, and in addition this grasping system is simple to manufacture and has a low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Valeria Querol Garica
  • Patent number: 7641248
    Abstract: Two tweezers which folds and unfolds relative to each other is connected by a central connector which allows the rotation of the tweezers without one tweezers rubbing into the other tweezers. Each tweezers has a tweezer head section extending to a base section. The base sections have an external base cover serving as handles for the tweezers. A cover shields the tweezer heads of the two tweezers. A spring assisted locator pin inserts and retracts from a hole as the tweezers positions back and forth from a folding position to an unfolding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventor: Yong-Hoon Cho
  • Patent number: 7625028
    Abstract: A flipping double tweezers having a stationary and a movable tweezers. Each tweezers is formed from two elongated plates or molded as a single piece and has a tweezer head including a pincer and its tips and a fused rear section. The rear section of the stationary and the movable tweezers are designed to connect the tweezers and form a flipping mechanism whereby the movable tweezers can swing along a 180 degree orbit relative to the stationary tweezers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Yong Hoon Cho
  • Patent number: 7621911
    Abstract: A tubing set attaches to an electrosurgical instrument having one or more tines to provide irrigation. The tubing set includes a length of tubing having a connector fitting on the proximal end to connect to a fluid source. A distal end of the tubing connects to a nose piece that attaches to the tine of the electrosurgical instrument, thereby providing irrigation to the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kirwan Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Ariola, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7621742
    Abstract: A system of tools for use in an orthodontic setting made up of a series of individual tools. Each tool comprises a pair of flat, generally elongated arms placed in an adjacent lengthwise relationship and connected at each first ends in a manner so as to force the remaining portions of the arms apart. Each of the tools has specially modified features that allow the tools to perform specific functions such as: scraping teeth and orthodontic devices; grasping orthodontic brackets; placing orthodontic brackets onto a tooth without disturbing other free-floating brackets; measuring the distance between portions of a tooth so as to ensure proper bracket placement; measuring the distance between orthodontic brackets; and aseptically retrieving objects from a drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Inventor: Dennis J. Michaelson
  • Publication number: 20090240281
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing disposable tweezer tips for ophthalmological microsurgery tweezers for cataract surgery, especially those with a grip portion in a single piece of plastic and two arms interconnected by one of the ends thereof in order to form the proximal portion of the tweezers. There is also a tweezer portion having metal tips inserted into the distal ends of the arms during the molding of the grip part. The tweezer tips with the grip teeth are cut out and shaped on a cutting press provided with suitable cutting tools from a metal strip or plate having a tensile strength coefficient of between 350 and 550 Rm N/mm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Andre
  • Patent number: 7556637
    Abstract: The invention relates to a forcep-like surgical element comprising lip profiles, which are provided at one end, can be guided in relation to one another, and which delimit a clamping mouth or form a pair of scissors. According to the invention, two handle elements, which can be moved in relation to one another, are provided as an actuating unit. Each handle element is joined to at least one of the lip profiles via a cord element. The handle elements or handle parts are scissor handles, which can pivot relative to one another and each have a holding eye or similar implements that define an angle with the surface of their cord element, said surface delimiting the clamping mouth. This angle is formed in a variable manner on each of the scissor handles for moving the lip profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hermann Dausch Medizintechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Hermann Dausch, Andreas Dausch
  • Patent number: 7513897
    Abstract: Coagulation tweezers (1) provided with two tweezers legs (2) and (3), with their mutual pivoting apart from each other being limited by a stop element (6) and a counter stop element (7). Here, the protrusion or head (10) of the stop element (6), during the opening or closing the legs (2) and (3) of the tweezers, is movable inside the counter stop element (7) in reference thereto, and is spaced apart a distance in the radial direction during its relative displacement or pivotal path movement in reference to the interior longitudinal cavity (12) of the counter stop element (7) so that during normal pivotal motions of the tweezers no friction develops by these stop elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Sutter Medizintechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Bert Sutter, Dirk Weitkamp, Hermann Sutter
  • Publication number: 20090082801
    Abstract: The insertion of an external receiver of a hearing apparatus and in particular a hearing device into an auditory canal of a user is to be facilitated. Provision is made for this purpose for a tool comprising a pair of tweezers with a first and a second tweezer arm, which are affixed to one another at one end. The first tweezer arm has a holding device at its free end by means of which the movements of the receiver to be held are restricted in at least three directions. Furthermore at least one of the two tweezer arms has a stopper that stands substantially perpendicular to the tweezer arm and serves to abut against a concha of the user during insertion of the receiver. In this way the external receiver can not only be grasped well but also inserted into the auditory canal to a defined depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Ulrich Giese, Sebastian Pape