Tweezers Patents (Class 606/210)
  • Publication number: 20090054925
    Abstract: A covered tweezers, comprising a body having two identical thin sheets of metal fused or welded together at one end resulting in a pair of free opposing ends, the free opposing ends having a different type of tip for each type of tweezers. A cover is fixed to the body of the tweezers excepting a head portion of the tweezers. A cap encloses the head portion of the tweezers. The cover is non-metallic such as plastic, wood, rubber material or fabric. The cover is fixed to the body of the tweezers, thereby avoiding the need of a case to hold the tweezers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventor: Yong Hoon Cho
  • Publication number: 20080300623
    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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick BURGESS, Tylor Garland, Aldis Rauda, Stan Chudzik, Christin Hartsfield
  • Publication number: 20080243177
    Abstract: A finger-mountable surgical instrument usable as a tweezers or as a probe, includes a sleeve dimensioned to be received on the outer end of a finger of a user; an elongated arm having a proximal end fixed to the sleeve and a distal end projecting forwardly of the sleeve and defining a fixed jaw; a pivotal jaw pivotally mounted to the distal end of the elongated arm to open and closed positions; an actuator arm movably mounted with respect to the sleeve and coupled to the pivotal jaw such that moving the actuator arm in one direction moves the pivotal jaw to a closed position with respect to the fixed jaw, and moving the actuator arm in another direction moves the pivotal jaw to an open position with respect to the fixed jaw; and a locking arm carried by the sleeve and manually movable to a locking position for locking the pivotal jaw in its closed position with respect to the fixed jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: T.A.G. Medical Products, a Limited Partnership, Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc.
    Inventors: Ran Oren, Eran Zakai, Wayne Poll, Dan Moor
  • Publication number: 20080243178
    Abstract: A surgical instrument useful as a tweezers for grasping and holding objects of different thicknesses includes: an elongated arm having a distal end defining a fixed jaw; a pivotal jaw having a distal end movable towards and away from the fixed jaw to a fully open position, a fully closed position, and at least one intermediate position, with respect to the fixed jaw; and a locking member carried by the pivotal jaw and manually movable into engagement with a locking surface carried by the elongated arm, when the pivotal jaw is in its fully-closed position or in any intermediate position with respect to the fixed, to lock the pivotal jaw in the fully-closed or intermediate position with respect to the fixed jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: T.A.G. Medical Products a Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ran Oren, Eran Zakai, Dan Moor
  • Publication number: 20080208190
    Abstract: A hair removal apparatus includes a plurality of plucking rollers configured to rotate on respective roller shafts which extend generally parallel to a skin surface during epilation, each plucking roller having tweezing mechanisms for grasping hairs, and a driving device for turning each plucking roller on a rotary axis which is kept generally perpendicular to the skin surface. The driving device turns each of the plucking rollers in such a way that the rotary axis thereof assess approximately a central point of the relevant plucking roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC WORKS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tetsuro HASHIGUCHI, Kenichi MURAKI
  • Patent number: 7404822
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes: grip handles (2, 3) which are articulated to each other around a fulcrum pin (4) so that the jaws can be moved from an open position to a closed position; and connecting elements (5) which can be used to: (i) lock the handles (2, 3) in a determined, constant position when a first force is exerted on the handles; and (ii) unlock the handles (2, 3) when a second force is exerted on same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Orthotec, LLC
    Inventors: Guy Viart, Eric Leroy, Jean-Yves Leroy, Arnaud Pommier
  • Publication number: 20080077177
    Abstract: A medical instrument for use in surgical procedures such as laparoscopic surgery includes a flexible coupler that secures the instrument to the base of a surgeon's hand or wrist. The flexible coupler assists in securing the instrument within the hand by allowing providing a means of tensioning the device within the hand of the surgeon. In this manner, the medical instrument may be used within the patient. The instrument is small enough to be easily passed through an opening in the abdomen of a patient while being held within or against the palm of the hand. The instrument includes two branches connected together via a base. Each branch includes a jaw, an exterior gripping surface, and a working end arranged opposite the base. Teeth may be provided on an interior surface of each jaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Nathan Goldin
  • Patent number: 7288103
    Abstract: In a link device for surgical tool and a surgical tool suitable for used with an endoscope, the diameter of an insertion section can be made narrow. A multi-free forceps (surgical tool) is used as a soft surgical tool for use with an endoscope. The multi-free forceps comprises a link device for surgical tool that is inserted into a human cavity. The link device for surgical tool comprises a pipe-like insertion section, a surgical section that connects to a tip of the insertion section, and a control section that controls the surgical section. A base side of a deviating link member is securely connected to a first control axis member, and a base side of the deviating link member that forms the surgical section side extends in parallel to the first control axis member at a position that is further to the inside than the outer peripheral face of the insertion section, while deviating further to the outside of the diameter direction than the central axis of the first control axis member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Keita Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6976992
    Abstract: A dual-use medical instrument is disclosed. In one embodiment, the instrument has a first handle pivotally attached to a second handle through a mortise and tenon joint to define opposing jaws at the distal end of the surgical instrument, each of the opposing jaws including a distal gripping portion, at least one longitudinally disposed cutting edge situated between the distal gripping portion and said mortise and tenon joint, wherein at least one longitudinal cutting edge is adjacent to said mortise and tenon joint. The instrument can function as a combination needle holder and surgical scissors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: SutureCut, LLC
    Inventors: Charles R. Sachatello, Joseph Sawyer
  • Patent number: 6863679
    Abstract: Two pairs of forceps, each pair having an inner leg and an outer leg, are connected together so that a surgeon can insert a forefinger between the inner legs of the two pairs and operate both pairs of forceps with one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Inventor: William Stephen Aaron
  • Patent number: 6846318
    Abstract: Scleral plug system for occluding a hole in the eye and for controlling irrigation during vitreo-retinal surgery in order to maintain a closed system during the procedure, and angled forceps for handling a scleral plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Matthew W. Camp
  • Publication number: 20040243177
    Abstract: A clasping tool for controlling an elongate tubular member comprising a tip constructed to support and limit lateral movement of the tubular member relative to the tip, and to permit longitudinal movement of the tubular member relative to the tip and an opposing tip constructed to retain the tubular member between the tips when the tips are brought together. Tips may have a flat region, half-tube region, forked region, looped region, or V-shaped region for grasping, holding, supporting and releasing the elongated tubular member. Each tip may have a similar region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Martin Svehla, Peter Gibson
  • Publication number: 20040199204
    Abstract: Disclosed is a minimally invasive surgical instrument that may be used in hand-assisted laparoscopic surgeries. The device is multifunctional surgical instrument that may be mounted directly on a surgeon's fingertip and inserted through an incision to allow the surgeon to manipulate tissue during a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument may be used for blunt dissection and allows for finger actuation of two opposing jaws to enable the surgeon to grasp and dissect tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: James W. Voegele, Robert P. Gill, Wayne L. Poll
  • Publication number: 20040199206
    Abstract: Electric tweezers 1 include a case 60 for accommodating a motor 52, a finger 13 for releasing and holding an object, one end portion of which is connected and fixed to the case 60, and the other end portion 13g of which enlarges a quantity of opening and closing of a tip portion according to a quantity of translational displacement of reciprocation, a switch 57 for rotating and stopping the motor 52, and a transformation mechanism 30 accommodated in the case 60, connected to a shaft 52a of the motor 52, and transforming a rotation in one direction of the motor 52 into a quantity of translational displacement in a predetermined reciprocating direction with respect to the other end portion 13g of the finger 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Naoki Muramatsu
  • Publication number: 20040181255
    Abstract: Seezers is a system combining standard stainless steel tweezers, a white LED, and an enveloping coating to completely seal all wiring and power sources from external exposure. The use of a white LED to aid in the removal process of foreign objects from human skin is unique and the primary distinguishing characteristic of Seezers. Seezers exterior protective coating is designed to accommodate a variety of colored dyes and machine textures for user customization.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Harry Gio
  • Patent number: 6752823
    Abstract: A surgical forceps includes a forceps jaw, with a handle consisting of two grip parts with which the one first grip part is connected to a forceps housing and the other second grip part is pivotable for opening and closing the jaw mouth, with an adjustment rod which is distally and proximally adjustable for opening and closing the jaw mouth and whose proximal end has a connection to a limb of the two limbed second grip part, and with at least one would spring element as an overload protection against the breakage of jaw parts. A particularly effective overload protection, a simple forceps construction and a small constructional size of the forceps are achieved according to the invention in that the spring element consists of a flat material wound in a serpentine manner with windings lying in one plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Prestel
  • Patent number: 6685725
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, in particular ophthalmologic clamp, includes two substantially parallel spring arms interconnected at their rear end and having a forward end terminating in clamping elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for moving the spring arms relative to one another in opposition to a spring elastic restoring force of the spring arms to thereby implement an inverse movement of the clamping elements. The actuating mechanism includes two plate-shaped operating members and four pins, whereby the pins are so disposed that two pins are connected to one operating member and the distal one of the spring arms, and two pins are connected to the other operating member and the other of the spring arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Alcon Grieshaber AG
    Inventors: Jürg Attinger, Heinrich Hedinger
  • Publication number: 20030233119
    Abstract: The present invention provides a port deaccessor comprising a forceps apparatus having a pair of arms, each having proximal and distal end portions and a middle portion spaced about halfway between the proximal and distal ends. A hinge connects the proximal portions of the arms. The distal ends provide respective distal tip portions coated with a non-stick coating such that secure placement of the distal ends of the port deaccessor around the diameter of a needle associated with an in-dwelling port or other venous line is enhanced to provide a safe and efficient means to remove the needle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Margie Cheryl Tiedemann
  • Patent number: 6656177
    Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument and technique for creating thermal seal or welds transected margins of engaged tissue. The working end provides very elongate jaws particularly suited for resecting tissue, such as in a lung resection. The jaw assembly carries a bi-polar electrode arrangement that provides for Rf current flow to targeted tissue described as a subfascial-to-fascial (or medial-to-surface) bi-polar approach. The working end of the device carries an openable and closable jaw assembly with paired first and second jaws for engaging tissue. The paired jaws have an axial channel for receiving a sliding (blade) member for transecting the captured tissue. The paired jaws carry electrode surfaces having a common polarity so that Rf current will not flow d between the jaws which engage the surface or fascial tissue layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 6616683
    Abstract: Miniature surgical forceps are formed from a one-piece tubular member by opposed longitudinal channels machined in a distal end thereof so as to establish a radially opposed pair of unitary forceps jaws. Most preferably, the opposed channels are formed in the distal end of the rigid tubular member by means of electron discharge machining (EDM) techniques. The resulting opposed cross-sectionally arcuate jaw sections may be bent and/or further shaped to achieve the desired final jaw configuration. The inner surfaces of the forceps jaws thereby established may have a filler material deposited in such a manner so as to change the overall shape and/or geometric configuration of the jaws and thereby engineer them to a specific surgical purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Toth, Ronald F. Overaker, Brian C. Dodge, Brooks W. McCuen
  • Patent number: 6596000
    Abstract: An instrument for positioning an intracorneal optical lens within an intracorneal pocket is disclosed. The instrument generally includes a handle and a cannula associated with and having a distal portion extending from the handle. The cannula is for fluidly coupling to a vacuum source in a first mode of operation and to a reservoir of surgical fluid in a second mode of operation. The distal portion of the cannula is for receiving the lens in a folded position around the distal portion. The distal portion has an aperture for providing vacuum to hold the lens in the folded position in the first mode of operation and for ejecting surgical fluid in an outward direction from the distal portion to help unfold the lens in the second mode of operation. Methods of using the instrument for positioning of an intracorneal optical lens are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwan Y. Chan, David A. Eister
  • Patent number: 6544259
    Abstract: Method of removing hair provides for applying radio frequency radiation to a selected skin zone in conjunction with applying ultrasound waves to the skin zone, with pulling the slackened hair out. A combination of a radio frequency generator, and an oscillator that are connected to tweezers constitute a hair removal device implementing the method. A radio frequency power selector enables selecting a suitable mode of operation depending on the texture of skin and its sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Unite Productions Inc.
    Inventor: Anatoly Tsaliovich
  • Patent number: 6517554
    Abstract: A triceps for anastomosis, the triceps having two outer legs on opposing sides of a middle leg. A latch is located on one outer leg and the middle leg to hold the respective legs in a clamped position. An alignment post extends through the middle leg and cooperates with holes in the outer legs to allow the post to enter the holes and ensure alignment of the legs in use. The post has an enlarged base portion that does not pass through the hole and thereby limits movement of the outer legs relative to the inner legs and thereby limits clamping pressure at the free ends of the legs. The free ends of the legs have various cooperating shapes to facilitate everting and aligning tubular vessels and body tissue for anastomosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventors: Yong Hua Zhu, Wolff M. Kirsch
  • Patent number: 6500176
    Abstract: An electrosurgical medical device and technique for creating thermal welds in the transected margin of engaged tissue. The working end of the invention carries a bi-polar electrode arrangement that provides a novel type of Rf current flow for tissue welding described as an subfascial-to-fascial (or medial-to-surface) bi-polar approach. The working end of the device carries an openable and closable jaw assembly with paired first and second jaws for engaging tissue. The paired jaws have an axial channel for receiving a sliding (blade) member for transecting the captured tissue. The paired jaws carry electrode surfaces having a common polarity so that Rf current will not flow directly between the jaws which engage the surface or fascial tissue layers. The transecting member, when fully extended after transecting the captured tissue, carries an elongate electrode of an opposing polarity that engages the medial or subfascial layers of the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Csaba Truckai, John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 6482198
    Abstract: Hand-held instruments have an actuator assembly which may be employed to actuate a distally mounted tool by application of radial force about the entirety of the instrument circumference (i.e., is omni-actuatable). Most preferably, the actuator assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart generally L-shaped actuator levers defining respective arcuate bearing surfaces along exterior edge regions thereof, and a retaining ring which circumferentially bounds the actuator levers around the exterior edge regions thereof. The retaining ring most preferably defines an interior stationary arcuate guide surface in conformable mated relationship to the bearing surfaces of said actuator levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Ronald F. Overaker, Cynthia A. Toth, Brian C. Dodge, Brooks W. McCuen, Glenn J. Jaffe, Eric A. Postal, Sharon Fekrat
  • Publication number: 20020143363
    Abstract: A surgical instrument, in particular ophthalmologic clamp, includes two substantially parallel spring arms interconnected at their rear end and having a forward end terminating in clamping elements. An actuating mechanism is provided for moving the spring arms relative to one another in opposition to a spring elastic restoring force of the spring arms to thereby implement an inverse movement of the clamping elements. The actuating mechanism includes two plate-shaped operating members and four pins, whereby the pins are so disposed that two pins are connected to one operating member and the distal one of the spring arms, and two pins are connected to the other operating member and the other of the spring arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: ALCON GRIESHABER AG
    Inventors: Jurg Attinger, Heinrich Hedinger
  • Publication number: 20020094507
    Abstract: The current invention provides a device for holding dental abutments such as healing caps, healing screws, contoured healing abutments, PME (precision margin esthetics) abutments, PME impression pins, hexed transfer assemblies, straight and angled fixed system components, hexed coping screws or any dental implant parts when the object is being inserted or otherwise located into a patient's mouth. The device is tweezer-like and is designed to hold a dental abutment having a central axis. The device includes a pair of substantially identical members that are joined together at one of the ends and each have a free end. The members are disposed in the V-like configuration with the joined ends interconnected and the free end spaced apart so that when the members are squeezed towards one another, the free ends are brought into contact. Each of the members has a handle portion including the joined end, and an offset gripping portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Marshall B. Feuer
  • Patent number: 6413266
    Abstract: A tick removing device includes a body member that includes a fulcrum portion and a pair arms. Each of the arms has a main portion that is coupled to the fulcrum portion. The head portion of each of the arms is for engaging a portion of a body of the tick. A distance between the head portion of each of the arms increases when a gap between the main portions of each of the arms is decreased by pressure for the fingers of the user. The head of one of the arms abuts the head portion of the other of the arms when pressure from the fingers on the main portion of each of the arms is released such that the head portion of each of the arms is for cooperatively securing the body member to the tick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas A. Mason
  • Patent number: 6322363
    Abstract: A tweezer-like dental pliers having a pair of elongated, flat and generally parallel handles with connected first ends, spaced-apart central portions, and second ends with normally closed gripping tips. The second ends are bent at an acute angle, preferably about 70 degrees, with respect to the handles, and a projecting fulcrum contacts the handles adjacent the bend so the gripping tips can be separated by squeezing the handle central portions together. A screw engaged between the handle central portions adjustably limits separation of the central portions to control gripping pressure of the normally closed tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventors: Candace L. Beecher, Jawn P. Swan
  • Patent number: 6290705
    Abstract: A microsurgical forceps having a first handle and a second handle coupled to the first handle at a hinge point is disclosed. The first handle includes a cannula for transporting surgical fluid and a first jaw with an aperture for delivering the fluid. The second handle includes a second jaw for cooperating with the first jaw. The first handle may include a second cannula for fluidly coupling to a vacuum source. The first jaw may also include a second aperture for delivering vacuum. The forceps may be used to more effectively position an intracorneal optical lens in an intracorneal pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Alcon Universal Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwan Y. Chan, David A. Eister
  • Patent number: 6283984
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a surgical forceps for joining tissue on opposed sides of an incision including a pair of extension members, wherein each extension member includes tissue engaging projections at a distal end thereof and are dimensioned and adapted to engage tissue on respective opposed sides of the incision. A central member is disposed between the extension members and defines a longitudinal axis. The central member includes a foot glide disposed at a distal end of the central member, wherein the foot glide defines a retaining surface dimensioned to retain tissue within the incision. The extension members are adapted for movement relative to the central member whereby movement of the extension members toward the central member causes the tissue engaging projections to engage and draw the tissue on the opposed sides of the incision toward each other in a general approximated relation. Also disclosed is a method of approximating tissue on opposed sides of an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Tegementa, LLC
    Inventor: Charles D. Ray
  • Patent number: 6270514
    Abstract: Apparatus used for manipulation of a gripped element employed in surgery, which includes two elongated arms, each of which has a distal first zone, a second zone or zones rearward of the distal first zones, and a handle from which the arms extend forwardly, the arms extending so that the first distal zones are yieldably urged toward one another by the arms to hold the gripped element therebetween, at least one of the arm second zones configured to move relative to the other arm in response to controllable force exertion between and along the arms, thereby to cause the first zones to relatively separate, enabling gripping or release of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Surgical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry H. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6248123
    Abstract: Apparatus used for manipulation of a gripped element employed in surgery, which includes two elongated lever arms, each of which has a distal first zone, and a second zone or zones rearward of distal first zone, and a handle from which the arms extend forwardly; the arms supported so that first distal zones are yieldably urged toward one another by the arms to hold the gripped element therebetween; and a pusher movable between the arms to pivot one arm relative to the other arm in response to controllable force exertion acting on the pusher, as from a location outside the arms, thereby to cause the first zones to relatively move, enabling gripping or release of the element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Surgical Concepts, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry H. McDonald
  • Patent number: 6231591
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a localized portion of body tissue including an endoscopic surgical instrument including a probe with a canal for guiding a hollow core needle assembly, the assembly having apparatus for extending and retracting a needle relative to the probe. According to the method, the needle is extended into body tissue to deliver a treatment fluid to a localized portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: 2000 InjecTx, Inc.
    Inventor: Ashvin H. Desai
  • Patent number: 6206892
    Abstract: An instrument for removing ticks from the skin of a person or animal and which includes a handle portion and a pickup device on one end of the handle portion. The pickup device includes a circular base wall having a V-shaped slot, and cylindrical jacket joined to the base wall. The cylindrical jacket includes a radial passage which is aligned with the open end of the slot. In use, the base wall is placed on the skin and the base wall is then slid along the skin to cause the tick to be received in and engaged by the slot, with the body of the tick entering the cylindrical jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Fortuna Vertrieb Dr. G. Schick GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Schick
  • Patent number: 6174321
    Abstract: The collagen forceps includes two elongate members coupled at a proximal live hinge. The elongate members are each provided with a knurled finger pad ergonomically contoured to stably receive a finger or thumb of a physician, and a manipulation tip having an interior collagen rod gripping surfaces. The manipulation tip of the collagen forceps includes two gripping channels preferably oriented substantially orthoganally relative to each other. In addition, the manipulation tip is preferably angled relative to an axis of the collagen forceps. The proximal end of the forceps includes a shaft which is also preferably angled relative to the axis, and thereby facilitates grip and balance of the collagen forceps in the hand of the physician.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Eagle Vision, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas J. Webb
  • Patent number: 6167602
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel lamp removal tool which can be used to advantageously remove a hot lamp from a lamp module that has limited access space by not requiring the cool-down of the system such that a burned-out lamp can be quickly removed and replaced causing minimal impact on the fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao Sheng Yang, Jing Long Yang
  • Patent number: 6159200
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and miniature instruments are disclosed for minimally invasive surgical procedures. A miniature surgical instrument can be inserted directly into a body cavity through a cannula in a way that a surgeon can insert his or her hand into the cavity through a separate minimal incision and use the miniature instruments. A miniature surgical system can include: a cannula having a hollow body configured to receive a miniature surgical instrument and a tether connected to the instrument; and a plunger sized to engage a proximal end of the body and including a conduit therethrough for receiving the tether. The system can also include the tether and the instrument. During use, the instruments can be quickly and safely removed from the body cavity to enable the surgeon to use his or her fingers, e.g., to manipulate tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignees: Smith & Nephew, University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Javier Verdura, Maureen E. Carroll, Richard Beane, Steven Ek, Mark P. Callery
  • Patent number: 6149642
    Abstract: A surgical instrument and the method for delivering and withdrawing surgical tools through a cannula in an abdominal cavity during hand-assisted minimally invasive surgery. A tube slidably extends through a cannula with a slender surgical tool such as a suture needle holder, secured in a snap-in gripper at the insertion end of the tube. The thumb and fingers of one hand of the surgeon or an assistant's cause the tube to move axially from a fully retracted position in the cannula to a position where the tool projects from a snap-in socket in the tube a length sufficient for a surgeon's hand to grip a knurled surface around the tool. A detent bead around the periphery of the tool snaps into a complementary groove within the gripper. Insufflating gas may be introduced or vented as needed through a port which communicates through the interior of the tube with the abdominal cavity. The procedure is reversed for withdrawing the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Medical Creative Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Clark D. Gerhart, Robert D. Rambo
  • Patent number: 6146139
    Abstract: A forceps apparatus having particular utility in the removal of small teeth provides a pair of arms or limbs, each having proximal and distal end portions and a middle portion spaced about midway in between the proximal and distal end portions. Each limb has an inside concave surface and an outer convex surface. The convex surface of each limb is curved to continuously engage the thumb and forefinger of a user when the user places the forceps between the thumb and forefinger. A hinge connects the proximal ends of the limbs together. The distal ends of the limbs provide respective gripping jaw portions that are concavely shaped to conform to and grip a tooth during use. Each limb has a transverse width that varies in between the hinge and the tip. The transverse width of each of the limbs is preferably many times greater at the middle portion of the respective limb than at the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Louis V. Harrison, III
  • Patent number: 6106041
    Abstract: A device for removing ticks includes two partially elastic gripping arms, wherein gripping jaws provided at the free ends of the gripping arms are pressed together with a defined closing force. The gripping jaws can be opened for receiving a tick by pressing against handle pieces integrally formed on the gripping arms. The gripping arms are integrally connected to each other through an elastic support web at a location between the gripping jaws and the handle pieces. With their inner ends facing away from the gripping jaws, the gripping arms rest against inclined surfaces which are integrally formed in the interior of a housing which receives the gripping arms. In the assembled state of the device, the defined closing force is produced by the contact of the inner gripping arm ends at the inclined surfaces together with the internal elasticity of the gripping arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: ECKHARDT Abform- und Giesstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Friedhelm Eckhardt
  • Patent number: 6042599
    Abstract: The invention comprises tissue approximation forceps which are particularly useful in approximating wound edges where tissue glue is to be used. A handle includes two leg members which mount grip members having grip surfaces. When the handle is squeezed, moving the grip members toward one another, the edges of the wound are moved together without everting. The tissue glue is then applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Bionix Development Corp.
    Inventors: James J. Huttner, David I. Kinsel
  • Patent number: 5997567
    Abstract: The forked suture forcep is a traditional forcep with handle and split planar arms; however, the arm distal ends have a two prong fork attached. The pair of prongs on each arm fork allow holding tissue taut while suturing a wound or incision. In addition the prongs and the cross member between them have graduation measures to allow accurate approximation of needle insertion points for uniform suturing along the wound or incision. This provides for properly aligning the tissue to be closed to promote faster healing and to minimize scarring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Joseph Cangelosi
  • Patent number: 5972021
    Abstract: The present invention is a method of approximating a wound or laceration without everting the wound edges and tissue approximation forceps to practice the method. The tissue approximation forceps include handle members which mount grip members having grip surfaces. The grip surfaces are moved toward the skin where the grip surfaces engage the skin while remaining generally parallel to the skin surface. The grip surfaces frictionally hold the engaged skin surfaces while the handle members are moved from an uncompressed position to a compressed position. The grip members can be moved toward or away from one another to approximate the edges of the wound or laceration without everting the wound edges. Tissue adhesive is then applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Bionix Development Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Huttner, David I. Kinsel
  • Patent number: 5944729
    Abstract: A radiopaque marked vascular clamp comprises a vascular clamp with a radiopaque string attached thereto. The clamp is a cross-action spring clamp constructed as a single-piece body. The clamp has first and second opposing elongated members. Each member has a proximal end, a mid-point and a distal end. Each member has a first section between its proximal end and a point just proximal of its mid-point, and a second section between a point just proximal of its mid-point and its distal end. The members are hinged to each other at their proximal ends. The first section of each member curves away from its opposing member along the first section, so that the proximal ends are relatively closer to each other and the points just proximal of the mid-points are relatively farther away from each other. The first and second members cross over each other at their mid-points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Scanlan International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Blake
  • Patent number: 5928263
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongate tubular member, an end effector at the distal end of the tubular member, a linkage rod slidably disposed within the tubular member, a distal connector fixed to the proximal end of the tubular member, a proximal connector fixed to the proximal end of the linkage rod, at least one resiliently flexible actuating member, and a lever pivotally to the proximal connector. The lever generally overlies and contacts the actuator member. Pivoting of the lever toward the flexible actuator member causes the linkage rod to move a movable jaw of the end effector. The surgical instrument has a relatively larger actuator surface for easier manipulation, and better balance. The actuator member also has a point of maximum leverage closer to the distal end, than other surgical instruments of the same general type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Aslan Medical Technologies
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hoogeboom
  • Patent number: 5914062
    Abstract: A device for removing a tick attached to a host, such device having a tweezer with first and second tweezer arms disposed on a slide member movable within an outer casing, such tweezer arms movable within first and second channels defined on the inside of the outer casing with the front tips of the tweezer arms extendible and retractable through an opening in the front of the outer casing, with the channels tapering inwardly to compress and force the tips of the tweezer arms together as they pass through the opening to grasp a tick. A power source is provided in the rear of the slide member which can be a battery disposed within a chamber in the slide member and interconnected through a manually controlled switch to a heat member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Inventor: Christian P. von der Heyde
  • Patent number: 5899910
    Abstract: A gripping mechanism has a rotating cam directly acting upon at least one cam follower plate in such a manner that the rotating cam provides reciprocating motion up and down to and from an operating surface, sweeping forward motion along the operating surface, and a lateral actuating force that, in cooperation with at least one actuating surface, opens a pair of gripping surfaces while approaching the operating surface, and close same gripping surfaces prior to lifting away from the operating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Inventor: Sameer A. Etman
  • Patent number: 5897571
    Abstract: A forceps according to the invention can securely grasp a tissue or a part located in a deep and remote position and extending in parallel with the swinging direction of the handles. Additionally, it can be used without giving the user a strange feeling if he or she is accustomed to use known forcepses and is free from hygienic problems. It comprises a handle section having a first handle and a second handle coupled to each other to form a unitary member with a variable included angle, a fixed blade section fitted to the front end of the first handle and inclined toward the second handle, a swingable blade section arranged to pivot on a spot close to the root of the fixed blade section and a swing-link section for swingably linking a spot close to the front end of said second handle to the swingable blade section, the swingable blade section being moved to come closer to the fixed blade section by reducing the included angle between the first and second handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Inventor: Shigeru Kazama
  • Patent number: 5893853
    Abstract: The invention provides improved forceps and methods. In one exemplary embodiment, a forceps is provided comprising a pair of arms, with each arm having a proximal end and a distal end. The arms are connected near the proximal end, and each arm includes a grasping portion near the distal end. A stop is provided between the arms proximal to the grasping portions to maintain the grasping portions spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Inventor: James E. Arnold