Laparoscopic surgical instrument having lockable handles with a latch feature
A laparoscopic instrument including a first handle and a second handle. The first handle includes a latching mechanism. The second handle is pivotally coupled to the first handle and includes a locking part. The first handle and the second handle are in a locked position when the latching mechanism is engaged with the locking part, and the first handle and the second handle are in an open position when the latching mechanism is disengaged from the locking part. The latching mechanism include a limiting lever that is positioned along the rotational path of the latching lever in order to limit the rotational movement of the latching lever. The latching mechanism allows a surgeon to lock or unlock the handles with the hand that is grasping the handles without using the other hand.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/690,968 filed Jun. 16, 2005, titled “Laparoscopic Tool Coupler,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/711,347 filed Aug. 25, 2005, titled “Laparoscope's Tool With In Situ Tool Exchange,” each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to laparoscopic instruments and, more particularly, to a laparoscopic instrument having lockable handles with a latch feature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONLaparoscopic instruments are used during laparoscopy procedures, which are generally used to examine a patient and/or to perform minor surgery on the patient. For example, a laparoscopic instrument can be used to examine the patient's abdominal cavity for signs of disease or abnormality. In addition, fully invasive surgery may be avoided by using the laparoscopic instrument to perform relatively minor surgery. Similarly, in minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures, such as on a knee joint, an arthroscopic instrument is used to access joints or bones.
The laparoscopic (or arthroscopic) instrument generally includes a grasping end and an operating end that are connected by a flexible hollow cylindrical shaft. The laparoscopic instrument is introduced into the patient through a cannula/trocar unit. After the laparoscopic instrument is inserted into the patient through a cannula that is anchored to the body via a small incision, the surgeon may insert one of a plurality of laparoscopic tools into the laparoscopic instrument to perform a particular surgical procedure. For example, if a grasping procedure is required the surgeon will insert a grasping tool in the laparoscopic instrument. Similarly, if a cutting procedure is required the surgeon will insert a cutting tool in the laparoscopic instrument.
One problem associated with current laparoscopic instruments is that they may cause the surgeon to lose his or her “feel” when changing laparoscopic tools. During surgery, the surgeon develops a particular “feel” associated with the location and positioning of the laparoscopic instrument relative to the patient's internal cavities. Because the surgeon may be required to perform several procedures during a single surgery, each procedure requiring a different laparoscopic tool, the surgeon may lose the “feel” when changing the laparoscopic tools.
In one exemplary scenario, the surgeon uses an examination tool to find the best location for performing a cutting procedure. After finding the best location, the surgeon retrieves the laparoscopic instrument from within the patient, replaces the examination tool with a cutting tool, and reinserts the laparoscopic instrument inside the patient. It can be time consuming and frustrating for the surgeon to locate, for a second time, the best location for performing the cutting procedure.
Another problem associated with current laparoscopic instruments is that they have a fixed grasping end and, therefore, limit the ability and/or comfort of the surgeon in attaining desired positions within the patient's body. Depending on the surgical procedure, the surgeon must often change the position of the laparoscopic instrument or contort his or her body position to reach various parts of a patient's internal cavity. For example, the surgeon will often attempt to achieve the best cutting position before performing a delicate cutting procedure by rotating and/or moving the grasping end of the laparoscopic tool at various uncomfortable and awkward positions. Because the grasping end of the laparoscopic instrument is fixed, the surgeon must perform the cutting procedure by grasping the laparoscopic tool at an uncomfortable or awkward position that decreases the likelihood of a successful surgical procedure, or must contort his or her body to access a hard-to-reach area of the patient's internal cavity.
Yet another problem associated with current laparoscopic instruments is that the surgeon must clasp the operating end together in order to hold a grasping tool in a closed position. Prolonged clasping results in hand fatigue and also undesirably ties up one of the surgeon's hands to perform other tasks. If the surgeon removes or relaxes his hand from the grasping end, then the grasping tool may lose its grip on the internal body structure it was grasping.
Thus, there is a need to provide a laparoscopic tool that allows the surgeon to retain the “feel” developed during a surgical procedure by changing laparoscopic tools without having to remove the laparoscopic instrument from within the patient's body. There is also a need for an adjustable grasping end for a laparoscopic or arthroscopic instrument for attaining desired and/or comfortable operating positions. There is yet another need for a laparoscopic or arthroscopic instrument that can lock a grasping tool in a fixed position without requiring manual clasping by the surgeon. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA laparoscopic instrument including a first handle and a second handle. The first handle includes a latching mechanism. The second handle is pivotally coupled to the first handle and includes a locking part. The first handle and the second handle are in a locked position when the latching mechanism is engaged with the locking part, and the first handle and the second handle are in an open position when the latching mechanism is disengaged from the locking part. The latching mechanism may include at least one latching tooth and the locking part includes at least one locking tooth, the latching tooth being engaged to the locking tooth in the locked position. The latching mechanism may further include a latching lever pivotably coupled to the first handle. The latching lever is aligned with the first handle in the locked position. A free end of the latching lever can be pivotable in a direction away from the first handle to achieve the open position. The latching mechanism may include a lever limiter positioned along the rotational path of the latching lever for limiting the rotation of the latching lever. The lever limiter can be coupled proximate a free end of the latching lever. The latching mechanism may include a latching teeth-engaging part attached to a free end of a latching lever and the locking part includes a locking teeth-engaging part. The latching lever is pivotally coupled to the first handle at a fixed end, and the latching lever is aligned with the first handle in the locked position. The latching teeth-engaging part is aligned and engaged to the locking teeth-engaging part when the first handle is in the locked position.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method is directed to locking and unlocking a first handle of a laparoscopic instrument relative to a second handle. The method includes urging the first handle towards the second handle to engage a latching mechanism of the first handle to a locking part of the second handle. The method may include biasing the latching mechanism against the locking part to secure a plurality of teeth to each other. At least one of the plurality of teeth may be located on the latching mechanism and a corresponding one of the plurality of teeth may be located on the locking part. The method may further include pivoting the latching mechanism away from the first handle to unlock the first handle from the second handle. The method may still further include mounting the latching mechanism on a latching lever pivotally coupled to the first handle and rotating a free end of the latching lever to disengage the latching mechanism from the locking part. The method may further include limiting the pivoting motion of the latching lever using a lever limiter. The lever limited may be coupled to the first handle proximate the free end of the latching lever. The method may also include rotating the free end of the latching lever in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the pivoting direction of the first handle towards the second handle. Still further, the method may include coupling the latching mechanism to a grasping end of the first handle.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a laparoscopic instrument includes a pair of handles that are pivotable between a locked position and an open position. The laparoscopic instrument further includes a latching lever, a lever limiter, a tooth-engaging part, and a locking part. The latching lever is pivotally coupled to a trigger handle of the pair of handles at a pivoting point. The lever limiter is coupled to the trigger handle near a free end of the latching lever and is directed to restricting the pivoting motion of the latching lever. The tooth-engaging part is coupled to the trigger handle. The locking part is coupled to a fixing handle of the pair of handles such that the locking part is engaged to the tooth-engaging part when the pair of handles is in the locked position, and such that the locking part is disengaged from the tooth-engaging part when the pair of handles is in the open position. The locking part may be biased towards the tooth-engaging part via a frictional force exerted by at least one pair of interlocking teeth.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. Additional features and benefits of the present invention are apparent from the detailed description, figures, and claims set forth below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring to
The tool cover 110 is a generally cylindrical plate that includes a central hole and a plurality of tapped periphery holes. The winged shaft 104 protrudes through the central hole of the tool cover 110 toward the push button 102. Two connecting screws 112 connect the tool cover 110 to a housing 114.
The housing 114 includes a drum receiving portion 116 for accommodating at least in part a tool drum 118, a trigger drum 120, and a fixing drum 122, each of which is located adjacent to one another as shown. The housing 114 further includes a ball-receiving slot 115 for allowing pivoting movement of the housing 114, as described in more detail below in reference to
Referring to
A drum washer 124 and a plug 126 is located between the tool drum 118 and the housing 114. The tool drum 118 includes a ball-receiving hole 127 along its periphery as shown.
The trigger drum 120 is generally cylindrical and is attached to a trigger handle 128 that includes a latching mechanism 130. The trigger drum 120 is attached to the trigger handle 128 directly or through a mechanical linkage. The trigger drum 120 includes a central slotted hole having substantially the same shape and dimensions as the slotted hole of the tool drum 118 through which the winged shaft 104 protrudes. The fixing drum 122 is generally cylindrical and is attached to a fixing handle 132 that includes a locking part 134 for the latching mechanism 130. The fixing drum 122 is attached to the fixing handle 132 directly or through a mechanical linkage. The fixing drum 122 includes a central slotted hole having substantially the same shape and dimensions as the slotted holes of the tool drum 118 and the trigger drum 120 through which the winged shaft 104 protrudes. The fixing drum 122 further includes a plurality of fixing holes 135 for securing the fixing drum 122 as described in more detail below.
The winged shaft 104 includes a generally cylindrical shaft 136 and a plurality of winglets 138, which are arranged in two symmetrical pairs along the shaft 136. The winglet end of the winged shaft 104 is attached to a locking plate 140 via a locking screw 142. In alternate embodiments, the winglets 138 can be splines or parts thereof, keys, or pins.
A fixing cover 144 is located along the winged shaft 104, between the locking plate 140 and the fixing drum 122. The fixing cover 144 includes a central slotted hole having substantially the same shape and dimensions as the slotted holes of the tool drum 118, the trigger drum 120, and the fixing drum 122 through which the winged shaft 104 protrudes. In addition, the fixing cover 144 includes a plurality of push-pin receiving holes through which corresponding push pins 146 are inserted. The push pins 146 protrude through the locking plate 140, the fixing cover 144, and the fixing holes 135 to secure the fixing drum 122 to the locking plate 140.
The locking plate 140 includes a recessed groove 148 for receiving the winged shaft 104 and a plurality of push-pin receiving holes through which corresponding push pins 146 are inserted. A locking washer 150 is inserted between the head of the locking screw 142 and the locking plate 140.
Turning now to
The hinge 152 includes a locking lever 158, which is attached to the hinge 152 via a lever screw 160. The locking lever 158 is inserted in a lever slot 159, which is located at a bottom end of the hinge 152. A lever spring 162 is positioned within the lever slot 159 for maintaining the locking lever 158 in a closed position. The locking lever 158 includes an actuating end 163 and a locking end 165. The actuating end 163 is actuated by urging the locking lever 158 toward the lever spring 162 to unlock the hinge 152 from a closed position to an open position, as described in more detail below in reference to
A long bearing 164 and a short bearing 166 are used to rotatably attach a knob 168 to the hinge 152. A plurality of set-screws 170 are screwed into the knob 168 for retaining the long bearing 165 and the short bearing 166 relative to the knob 168.
A knob extension or sleeve 172 is attached to the knob 168 using a threaded end of the knob extension 172. The knob extension 172 is a hollow shaft (or sleeve) that is used for accommodating a tool holder 174, which is inserted into the hollow of the knob extension 172. The tool holder 174 is a hollow shaft that accommodates a tool 176, which includes a ball 178 at an insertion end and a scissors device 180 at an operating end. The tool 176 is inserted into the tool holder 174, as shown. According to the shown embodiment, the scissors device 180 is a three-member claw device. The outer surface of the sleeve 172 may be composed of or coated with an insulating material, such as Teflon, to electrically insulate the operator of the instrument 100 from the sleeve 172 when using an electric tool such as a cauterizing tool. For example, the sleeve 172 is wrapped with a Teflon shrink tube.
As represented by the phantom lines, the trigger handle 128 is rotated relative to the fixing handle 132 in a counter clock-wise direction (from the locked position) to open the scissors device 180 at the operating end of the tool 176. In general, the rotation of the trigger handle 128 causes the rotation of the tool drum 118, which in turn causes the linear movement of the tool 176. The linear movement of the tool 176 causes an opening/closing movement for the scissors device 180. The relationship between the three drums 118, 120, 122 (also referred to as the drum sandwich assembly) is described in more detail below.
In addition, as best seen in
An electrical probe 182 is protruding from and is attached to the housing 114. The electrical probe 182 is electrically coupled to the tool 176 (such as a cauterizing tool) to supply electrical current from an external power supply. For example, electrical current is supplied via the electrical probe 182 to an electrocautery tool 176 for cauterizing organ tissue during a surgical procedure. Alternatively, a hole or plug is formed in the housing 114 for receiving an electrode therein.
Referring to
The winglets 138 attached to the shaft 136 are adapted to protrude only through corresponding slots of the tool drum 118, the trigger drum 120, the fixing drum 122, and the fixing cover 144. Depending on whether the push button 102 is in a depressed or un-depressed position, the winglets 138 protrude through only some of the tool drum 118, the trigger drum 120, the fixing drum 122, and the fixing cover 144. Depending on the position of the winglets 138, the rotatable movement of the trigger drum 120 is locked with respect to either the tool drum 118 or the fixing drum 122.
The winglets 138 include a pair of top winglets 138a and a pair of bottom winglets 138b. As shown in
Referring to
In another alternative embodiment, shown in
Referring to
At position A, the winglets 1338 are positioned to the right of the fixing drum 1322. In this position, each of the drums 1318, 1320, 1322 is free to rotate with respect to each other.
At position B, the winged shaft 1304 is moved toward the drums 1318, 1320, 1322 such that the winglets 1338 are positioned within the fixing drum 1322 only. Accordingly, in this position the fixing drum 1322 is fixed from rotational movement, while the tool drum 1318 and the trigger drum 1320 are free to rotate.
At position C, the winged shaft 1304 is moved further toward the drums 1318, 1320, 1322 such that the winglets 1338 are positioned within both the trigger drum 1320 and the fixing drum 1322. Accordingly, in this position the trigger drum 1320 and the fixing drum 1322 are fixed from rotational movement, while the tool drum 1318 is free to rotate.
At position D, the winged shaft 1304 is moved further toward the drums 1318, 1320, 1322 such that the winglets 1338 are positioned within all three drums. Accordingly, in this position each of the drums 1318, 1320, 1322 is fixed from rotational movement.
At position E, the winged shaft 1304 is moved further toward the drums 1318, 1320, 1322 such that the winglets 1338 are positioned within the tool drum 1318 and the trigger drum 1320. Accordingly, in this position the tool drum 1318 and the trigger drum 1320 are fixed from rotational movement, while the fixing drum 1322 is free to rotate.
At position F, the winged shaft 1304 is moved further toward the drums 1318, 1320, 1322 such that the winglets 1338 are positioned within the tool drum 1318 only. Accordingly, in this position the tool drum 1318 is fixed from rotational movement, while the trigger drum 1320 and the fixing drum 1322 are free to rotate.
Referring to
Accordingly, in the depressed position the trigger drum 120 and the fixing drum 122 are locked with respect to each other. Further, because the fixing drum 122 is now disengaged from the locking plate 140 and the push pins 146, the combination of the trigger drum 120 and the fixing drum 122 is free to rotate around the Z-axis (the axis of the winged shaft 104).
In
As can be seen in
In
Referring to
In
The location of the ball-receiving hole 127 is found by drawing a circle about the hinge pin 154, whose radius extends to the end of the ball 178 (when the tool 176 is fully inserted into the knob extension 172). Where the circle intersects the tool drum 118 is where the manufacturer should form the ball-receiving hole 127.
In an alternate embodiment, instead of adapting the hinge portion 1700 to swing open, the hinge portion 1700 is adapted to slide open. For example, instead of having the housing 114 rotatable with respect to the hinge 152, the housing 114 slides open with respect to the hinge 152 in, for example, a direction of the Z-axis, to allow the removal and/or insertion of the tool 176.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The trigger handle 128 further includes a latching lever 2284, which is pivotally connected to the trigger handle 128 at a pivoting point 2286, and a lever limiter 2288. The lever limiter 2288 limits the rotational movement of the latching lever 2284 to a distance that is sufficient for disengaging engaged ones of the teeth 2282. A reason for limiting the rotational movement of the latching lever 2284 is to prevent the latching lever 2284 from interfering with the operation of the laparoscopic instrument 100. The latching mechanism 130 is mounted on the latching lever 2284 such that the latching mechanism 130 moves whenever the latching lever 2284 is moved. The aligned position shows the latching lever 2284 parallel to the fixing handle 132 in the X-Y plane.
In
In
In
Preferably, the latching lever 2284 is positioned to be manipulatable by the surgeon with a single finger, such as with the pinky finger of the hand grasping the handles 128, 132. In this respect, the surgeon is not required to remove the hand from the handles 128, 132 in order to lock or unlock them. In operation, the surgeon simply moves the latching lever 2284 with the pinky finger, which is typically not positioned within the handle 128 as are the ring and middle fingers.
At least some of the parts described above in reference to
Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in connection with a laparoscopic instrument 100, the present invention is equally applicable to an arthroscopic instrument.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A laparoscopic instrument, comprising:
- a first handle including a latching mechanism; and
- a second handle pivotally coupled to the first handle and including a locking part, the first handle and the second handle being in a locked position when the latching mechanism is engaged with the locking part, the first handle and the second handle being in an open position when the latching mechanism is disengaged from the locking part.
2. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism includes at least one latching tooth and the locking part includes at least one locking tooth, the latching tooth being engaged to the locking tooth in the locked position.
3. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism further includes a latching lever pivotably coupled to the first handle.
4. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 3, wherein the latching lever is aligned with the first handle in the locked position.
5. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 3, wherein a free end of the latching lever is pivotable in a direction away from the first handle to achieve the open position.
6. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 3, wherein the latching mechanism further includes a lever limiter positioned along the rotational path of the latching lever for limiting the rotation of the latching lever.
7. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 6, wherein the lever limiter is coupled proximate a free end of the latching lever.
8. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 1, wherein the latching mechanism includes a latching teeth-engaging part attached to a free end of a latching lever, the locking part including a locking teeth-engaging part, the latching lever being pivotally coupled to the first handle at a fixed end, the latching lever being aligned with the first handle in the locked position, the latching teeth-engaging part being aligned and engaged to the locking teeth-engaging part when the first handle is in the locked position.
9. A method of locking and unlocking a first handle of a laparoscopic instrument relative to a second handle, comprising:
- urging the first handle towards the second handle to engage a latching mechanism of the first handle to a locking part of the second handle.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising biasing the latching mechanism against the locking part to secure a plurality of teeth to each other.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of teeth is located on the latching mechanism and a corresponding one of the plurality of teeth is located on the locking part.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising pivoting the latching mechanism away from the first handle to unlock the first handle from the second handle.
13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
- mounting the latching mechanism on a latching lever pivotally coupled to the first handle; and
- rotating a free end of the latching lever to disengage the latching mechanism from the locking part.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising limiting the pivoting motion of the latching lever using a lever limiter.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the lever limited is coupled to the first handle proximate the free end of the latching lever.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising rotating the free end of the latching lever in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the pivoting direction of the first handle towards the second handle.
17. The method of claim 9, further comprising coupling the latching mechanism to a grasping end of the first handle.
18. The method of claim 9, further comprising coupling the locking part to a grasping end of the second handle.
19. A laparoscopic instrument having a pair of handles that are pivotable between a locked position and an open position, comprising:
- a latching lever pivotally coupled to a trigger handle of the pair of handles at a pivoting point;
- a lever limiter coupled to the trigger handle proximate a free end of the latching lever, the lever limiter restricting pivoting motion of the latching lever;
- a tooth-engaging part coupled to the trigger handle; and
- a locking part coupled to a fixing handle of the pair of handles such that the locking part is engaged to the tooth-engaging part when the pair of handles is in the locked position, and such that the locking part is disengaged from the tooth-engaging part when the pair of handles is in the open position.
20. The laparoscopic instrument of claim 19, wherein the locking part is biased towards the tooth-engaging part via a frictional force exerted by at least one pair of interlocking teeth.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 7, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 21, 2006
Inventor: Alfred Perlin (Highland Park, IL)
Application Number: 11/350,292
International Classification: A61B 17/00 (20060101);