Jaws Biased To Open Or Closed Position Patents (Class 606/206)
  • Patent number: 9724117
    Abstract: A medical sliding-shaft instrument having a first handle arm, a second handle arm pivotably mounted to the first handle arm, a shaft connected to the first handle arm and a slider coupleable to the second handle arm and axially displaceable on the shaft. The slider is removable from the shaft and is guided along a sliding path. A cross-pin couples the second handle arm to the slider and is received in a slot defined by first and second legs of the second handle arm. The first leg is a resilient tongue moveable transversely to a longitudinal axis of the first leg and outwardly away from the second leg. The second handle arm is positioned so that the cross pin lies in the slot. The cross pin is covered and held back by the first leg and is released by applying a force and displacing the end of the first leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Waldemar Link GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Dmuschewsky
  • Patent number: 9707026
    Abstract: A surgical tool system for fitting an implant to a patient. The system includes a handpiece that is used to fit the implant. The handpiece is capable of reading data from a memory integral with the implant. The system includes a surgical navigation system capable of monitoring the position of the handpiece relative to the patient. Based on the data read by the handpiece from the memory of the implantable device and the data regarding the position of the implant the navigation system presents information regarding the procedure. This information includes data regarding the position of the implant relative to the patient or textual information based on the type of implantable device. If the implant is being improperly position, the surgical navigation system presents a warning or inhibits actuation of the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Donald W. Malackowski, Jose-Luis Moctezuma de la Barrera
  • Patent number: 9642705
    Abstract: An elongated member and a method of manufacturing an elongated member may include first, second, and third elongated rod mandrels. The first, second, and third elongated rod mandrels may be fixed together at predetermined proximal and distal locations and at a ball tip. The first, second, and third rod mandrels may be disposed within a tubular coupling element and fixed to the tubular coupling element at the ball tip. The tubular coupling element may be placed into abutment with and fixed to the distal end of an elongated shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc.
    Inventors: Randy S. Gamarra, David S. Tung, Benjamin Sutton, Takashi Ino, Joshua Wallin, Brian D. Brandt
  • Patent number: 9572554
    Abstract: A dismantlable surgical sliding shaft instrument having a function shaft comprising a guide element, a slide element supported on the guide element in a sliding manner and having a coupling element, an undercut rail oriented along the sliding direction of the slide element and having a mounting opening at the proximal end of the rail, a profile web having a profile complementary to the rail, a gripping part having a rear gripping element at an angle at the end of the guide element, a front gripping element pivotably supported on the guide element and having a carrier element to carry along the coupling element, and a securing device on the rear gripping element and engaging with a form closure component in the proximal part of the guide groove in a securing position, and a transition piece complementary to the form closure component between the distal part and the proximal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: WALDEMAR LINK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Klaus Dmuschewsky
  • Patent number: 9526611
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a catheter assembly and a handle assembly that can be removably coupled to the catheter assembly. A valve holding tube defines a lumen configured to receive a prosthetic mitral valve in a compressed configuration and can be removably coupled to a distal end portion of the handle assembly. The valve holding tube can be received within a hub of the catheter assembly when coupled to the handle assembly. The actuator when actuated is configured to cause the tensioning unit to travel along a traveler strap of the catheter assembly moving the handle assembly distally such that a distal end of an elongate shaft of the handle assembly moves the prosthetic mitral valve distally out of the valve holding tube and out a distal end of the sheath such that the prosthetic mitral valve is free to move to a biased expanded configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Tendyne Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary J. Tegels, Robert M. Vidlund
  • Patent number: 9510846
    Abstract: An articulating medical instrument comprising of: a substantially straight proximal segment; a substantially straight distal segment; an articulation mechanism having a straight configuration in which the proximal and distal segments form a substantially straight line and at least one articulated configuration in which the proximal and distal segments form an articulation angle of less than 180 degrees between the segments, the articulation mechanism being configured for increasing or decreasing the articulation angle; and one or more drive mechanisms configured for transferring force from the proximal segment to the distal segment, wherein the drive mechanism does not follow substantially straight lines between the proximal and distal segments passing through the apex of the articulation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Artack Medical (2013) Ltd.
    Inventors: Mordehai Sholev, Nir Lilach, Ram Grossfeled, Eliahu Eliachar, Gilad Lavi, Gilad Heftman
  • Patent number: 9486238
    Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer tube which has an outer diameter of 3.0 mm or smaller, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow tube. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft. The end effectors include spring arms and wire frame clamp elements defining fenestrations. The spring arms are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extend out of the outer tube they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the outer tube over them. The wire frame clamp elements are biased to an open position such that when they extend out of the outer tube they open and they are closed by relative movement of the outer tube over them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: TELEFLEX MEDICAL INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sundaram Ravikumar, H. Allan Alward
  • Patent number: 9451947
    Abstract: A modification to a standard needle driver in the form of a deployable and retractable projection at the working end of the needle driver with which the operator can control the suture in order to facilitate tying a knot in the suture. This modification solves the difficult problem of controlling the suture during the rate-limiting step of knot tying allowing for faster, easier knot tying in laparoscopic and single port surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Inventor: Steven Preston Benson
  • Patent number: 9381077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a withdrawal member for a filter for the vena cava, essentially consisting of a head and shape memory or wrought strands forming a tail, said strands being attached to the head and being located on the same side of the head, said withdrawal member including a rod (7) comprising, at the distal end thereof, a plurality of resilient arms (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) flaring from the rod (7), naturally spaced apart from each other and ending in the form of hooks oriented towards the inside so as to grasp the cap of the filter upon tightening, and including a flexible bent area adjacent to the distal end of the rod (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: A.L.N.
    Inventor: Alain Nigon
  • Patent number: 9351710
    Abstract: Among other things, there are disclosed embodiments of full-core biopsy needles having an outer needle component and a middle cannula through a lumen in the outer component, through which a mandrel may be placed. The outer component includes an internal boss that reduces its internal diameter, and the cannula includes fingers that extend distally. When the needle is inserted for biopsy, tissue enters the outer component and cannula. Moving the cannula forward causes the fingers to engage a surface of the internal boss, resulting in the fingers curving into the tissue. The fingers pinch the tissue while reducing or eliminating compression of the sample to provide an easier removal of the tissue from adjacent tissue, as well as providing a block or backstop keeping the tissue within the needle. Gaps are provided between the fingers to further reduce damage to the tissue sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. McGhie, Michael W. Hardert
  • Patent number: 9326784
    Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical assembly broadly includes an outer hollow needle which has an outer diameter of approximately 2 mm or smaller, and a coaxial surgical instrument having a shaft which extends through the outer hollow needle. The coaxial surgical instrument includes end effectors at the end of the shaft which are biased to an open position such that when the end effectors of the surgical instrument extend out of the needle they open, and they are closed by relative movement of the needle over them. The assembly preferably includes a first fixing element which is used to fix the relative location of the surgical instrument and the needle. The assembly also preferably includes a second fixing element which moves relative to the needle and is located on the outside thereof and which is used to fix the relative location of the needle to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: TELEFLEX MEDICAL INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sundaram Ravikumar
  • Patent number: 9320534
    Abstract: Membrane forceps for performing an ILM or ERM peel procedure include a handle, a tube extending from the handle, and forceps jaws extending from the tube. The forceps jaws may be configured to grasp an ILM or ERM, and may include an outer surface having a roughened surface. The roughened surface may be structurally configured to aid in gaining an edge of the ILM or ERM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Alcon Research, Ltd.
    Inventor: Guido Vezzu
  • Patent number: 9295461
    Abstract: A method of closing a tissue wound includes providing a wound closure device having a first fastener, a second fastener, and a flexible member extending between the first and second fasteners and movably attached to the second fastener by a one-way knot formed in the flexible member between the first and second fastener, positioning the first fastener against tissue, passing the flexible member across the wound, positioning the second fastener against tissue, and pulling on a free end of the flexible member to shorten a length of the flexible member between the first and second fasteners, thereby closing the wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Bojarski, George Sikora, Paul Alexander Torrie, Steven W. Ek
  • Patent number: 9277981
    Abstract: The device comprises an injection system, which is made up of a rigid external tubular body (1) that enables it to be inserted into the abdominal cavity of a sow. This body is, in turn, covered by a sterile sleeve (2) that enables it to be used in different animals. A flexible duct (3) runs coaxially and its distal end connects with a bevelled needle (4) that permits insertion in the oviduct (12) at an angle of 45°. The proximal end of the flexible tube connects with a device (6) that includes a sheath (7) closed at the other end by a piston (8) that slides along the inside of the sheath and that enables the precision insertion of low-volume liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Universidad De Murcia
    Inventors: Juan Maria Vazquez Rojas, Emilio Martinez Garcia, Jose Luis Vazquez Rojas, Jorge Roca Aleu
  • Patent number: 9233022
    Abstract: A steerable laser probe may include a handle having a handle distal end and a handle proximal end, a plurality of actuation controls of the handle, a housing tube having a housing tube distal end and a housing tube proximal end, and an optic fiber disposed within an inner bore of the handle and the housing tube. An actuation of an actuation control of the plurality of actuation controls may gradually curve the housing tube. A gradual curving of the housing tube may gradually curve the optic fiber. An actuation of an actuation control of the plurality of actuation controls may gradually straighten the housing tube. A gradual straightening of the housing tube may gradually straighten the optic fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Matthew N Zeid
  • Patent number: 9216020
    Abstract: An endoscopic surgical cutting stapler with a chain articulation is provided, in which a joint is implemented by a chain articulation, teeth are provided at two ends of a chain plate of the chain articulation, and teeth of adjacent chain plates in the same row are engaged. Through mesh transmission of engaged teeth of the adjacent chain plates in the same row, an angle of a most proximal chain plate of the chain articulation is gradually multiplied at several stages and transmitted to an end effector. The end effector can rotate for 90° with small drive motion of the operating mechanism, thereby achieving precise placement of the chain articulation after rotation. The end effector can be precisely aligned with a part to be cut and stapled, and a radius of curvature of the chain articulation can be significantly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: CHANGZHOU KANGDI MEDICAL STAPLER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zuren Zhang, Yikang Jiang, Zhenyu Jiang, Rong Ji, Yiyi Zhang, Weihua Xu, Dongkun Yuan, Qi Yang
  • Patent number: 9192432
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle movable between first and second positions for transitioning an end effector assembly between states and to a third position for returning the handle. A latch arm coupled to the handle includes one or more engagement members. A latch block defines a guide track having a latching path configured to guide the engagement member(s) therealong, an engagement portion configured to engage the engagement member(s) to latch the handle in the second position, and a return path configured to guide the engagement member(s) therealong. A first step interdisposed between the latching path and engagement portion guides the engagement member(s) into engagement with the engagement portion and inhibits the engagement member(s) from returning along the latching path. A second step interdisposed between the engagement portion and the return path guides the engagement member(s) along the return path and inhibits the engagement member(s) from re-engaging the engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Eric R. Larson, John J. Kappus, Wayne Siebrecht
  • Patent number: 9155649
    Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering an implantable device to a target site, using a detachable link. The system can include an embolic coil mated to a delivery wire via a detachable link comprising first and second engaging members. When the detachable link is delivered through a catheter, the first and second engaging members are configured to self-detach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Nardone, Nicolas Fedas
  • Patent number: 9149389
    Abstract: A microsurgical handle and instrument may include an actuation structure having an actuation structure distal end and an actuation structure proximal end, a plurality of actuation arms of the actuation structure, and an actuation structure base. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to extend the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end. A compression of the actuation structure may be configured to expand an extension joint of an actuation arm of the plurality of the actuation arms. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to retract the actuation structure distal end relative to the actuation structure proximal end. A decompression of the actuation structure may be configured to collapse an extension joint of an actuation arm of the plurality of actuation arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Katalyst Surgical, LLC
    Inventors: Gregg D Scheller, Craig Moore, Matthew N Zeid
  • Patent number: 9144484
    Abstract: A method of treating a patient includes providing an implantable vessel filter including a plurality of legs and a center-post, inserting the filter into a delivery assembly, and deploying the filter at a desired location in a patient's body. One or more of the legs may have a hook at a distal end thereof and the center-post includes a grooved distal section to receive the hooks. The filter legs transition from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration during deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: C. R. BARD, INC.
    Inventor: Alexander W. Tessmer
  • Patent number: 9119654
    Abstract: Surgical methods and devices allow closed-chest surgery to be performed on a heart of a patient while the heart is beating. A region of the heart is stabilized by engaging a surface of the heart with a stabilizer without having to stop the heart. Motion of the target tissues is inhibited sufficiently to treat the target tissues with robotic surgical tools which move in response to inputs of a robotic system operator. A stabilizing surface of the stabilizer is coupled to a drive system to position the surface from outside the patient, preferably by actuators of the robotic servomechanism. Exemplary stabilizers includes a suture or other flexible tension member spanning between a pair of jointed bodies, allowing the member to occlude a coronary blood vessel and/or help stabilize the target region between the stabilizing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Andris D. Ramans, David J. Rosa, Volkmar Falk
  • Publication number: 20150133993
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for a surgical instrument includes a lever moveable from an initial position to an actuated position for moving an end effector assembly from a first to a second state. A pin extends from the lever. A cantilever spring is operably engaged to the housing of the instrument. A pin track member is operably engaged to the cantilever spring at a free end thereof. The pin track member is configured to permit translation of the pin therealong between a first position corresponding to the initial position of the lever and a second position corresponding to the actuated position of the lever. The pin is configured to translate from the first to the second position along a first path and from the second position back to the first position along a second path and is configured to be releasably retained in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: JOHN R. TWOMEY
  • Patent number: 9028500
    Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical instrument, in particular a sliding shaft instrument, with a main part, and a moveable part relative thereto, with a handle attached to the main part, comprising a fixed grip and a grip actuating the moveable part, with at least one guide, through which, in relation to the main part, the moveable part is moveable between an initial position and a working position, and with a sliding surface attached to the movable part and pointing towards the main part, the sliding surface being slid along a guide surface attached to the main part and pointing towards the sliding surface, with at least the sliding surface or the guide surface are assigned to each other for the formation of a washable gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Thomas Tontarra Grundstuecksverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Tontarra, Alberto Petrella
  • Patent number: 9023079
    Abstract: A surgical tool assembly includes a pair of opposing jaws. Further, a viewing opening may be provided in at least one of the opposing jaws. The viewing opening may extend from an upper to a lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided. The viewing opening may include a material retainer provided proximate the lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided. The material retainer may include an inclined surface inclined towards a central axis of the viewing opening. A grasping insert may be molded onto a lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided and an elastomeric material of the grasping inserts may within the viewing opening, the material of the grasping inserts covering the inclined surface of the first material retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Microline Surgical, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Boulnois, Richard C. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 9017369
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular medical instrument having a hollow shaft, a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft and equipped with at least two gripping members, and at least one push-pull rod that is positioned in the hollow shaft and has on its distal end a tool consisting of at least two jaw members, wherein for opening and closing at least one jaw member of the tool, the push-pull rod can be coupled with at least one rotatable gripping member of the handle and wherein the push-pull rod and the handle can be detachably connected to one another by a coupling mechanism that is configured as at least one clamping device comprising at least one clamping claw characterized in that the at least one clamping claw can rotate in a guide track mounted between a closed position and an open installation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Renger, Martin Blocher, Uwe Bacher
  • Patent number: 9017372
    Abstract: A forceps includes first and second shafts, each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. At least one jaw member is moveable from an open to a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. At least one jaw member is configured for reciprocation of a blade therethrough. A trigger assembly includes a trigger and at least one linkage coupled to the trigger and to the blade such that rotation of the trigger translates the blade between the retracted and the extended position. An interference member moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position is also provided. The interference member is configured to engage the linkage(s) when in the locked position to inhibit translation of the blade from the retracted to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Ryan C. Artale, Thomas Meiser, William J. Dickhans, Steven E. Butcher, Dennis W. Butcher
  • Publication number: 20150112382
    Abstract: The invention relates to a completely mechanical laparoscopic surgical instrument which can be disposed of after a single use or which can be sterilised and re-used more than once. The instrument essentially comprises: a gripping zone provided with two gripping elements (2, 3) hinged to one another by means of a pivot shaft (4), a working tool (30) provided with two jaws hinged to one another by means of a pivot shaft, and an actuation mechanism that can transmit movement from the gripping zone to the working tool (30). According to the invention, the tool can adopt multiple positions and/or orientations during its use with the assistance of substantially annular bodies that are coupled to connecting rods associated with the gripping elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Jesus Hernandez Juanpera
  • Patent number: 9011468
    Abstract: The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Ketai, Jacob Greenberg, Daniel Hale, Tanmay Mishra, Gabriel Gonzales, Raghuveer Basude, Michael Hong
  • Publication number: 20150105820
    Abstract: A laparoscopic forceps comprising a handpiece including a distal end portion; a tubular member protruding from the distal end portion of the handpiece, the tubular member having a distal end with a distal opening, a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubular member and partially protruding from the distal opening, the jaws and the tubular member being movable relative to each other; wherein each of the jaws has an arcuate section; an operable mechanism for creating relative motion between the jaws and the tubular member along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis, and one or more spacing members extending across the distal opening of the tubular member and between the jaws; wherein the jaws are closable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the jaws towards each other so that the tubular member advances over the arcuate section of the jaws, and the jaws are openable by the relative movement of the tubular member and the jaws away from each other so that the one or more
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Tailin Fan, Kester Batchelor, John R. Mensch, Richard A. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150105821
    Abstract: A laparoscopic forceps comprising a handpiece including a distal end portion; a tubular member protruding from the distal end portion of the handpiece, the tubular member having a distal end, a pair of jaws having legs that are disposed within the tubular member and partially protruding from the distal end of the tubular member, the pair of jaws and the tubular member being movable relative to each other in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; wherein each of the pair of jaws has an arcuate section, and the pair of jaws are closable by advancing the tubular member over the arcuate section of the jaws; and an operable mechanism for creating relative motion between the pair of jaws and the tubular member along a direction parallel to the axis of the tubular member, wherein at the distal end portion of the tubular member there is a profile shape that is non-circular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Zane R. Ward, Tailin Fan, Jeffrey Nelson, John R. Mensch, Ryan Windgassen, Riyad Moe, Michael Baden, Erik Dalgaard, Paul Barratt, Richard A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8998912
    Abstract: A patella drill guide includes a base with a flat patella bone-facing surface, a drill guide bore extending through the base, a cantilever spring member and a bone-gripping member. The cantilever spring member biases the bone-gripping member and the flat patella bone-facing surface toward each other. Flexing the cantilever spring member moves the bone-gripping member away from the flat patella bone-facing surface so that the drill guide can be placed on the patella. When the cantilever spring member is released, the patella is clamped between the bone-gripping member and the flat patella bone-facing surface. The drill guide may have sizing indicia and may be part of a kit including trial components to be mounted to the drill guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Depuy (Ireland)
    Inventors: Richard Spencer Jones, Martin W. Roche, Abraham P. Wright
  • Patent number: 8998948
    Abstract: Provided is a manipulator including a first forceps piece and a second forceps piece, which are connected by a pivotal axle and have a gripping part opened or closed on a leading end side thereof. The manipulator includes a manipulation member that is connected to a base end side of the pair of forceps pieces, and moves forward or backward in an axial direction to open or close the gripping part, a first buffer part that has a first spring constant, and undergoes elastic deformation to change a grasping force generated at the gripping part on the basis of the first spring constant and a pulling amount of the manipulation member, and a stopper that regulates the elastic deformation of the first buffer part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Hyodo
  • Patent number: 8968357
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing supporting first and second actuators, an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing, and an end effector supported by a distal portion of the elongated shaft. A tensile member extending through the elongated shaft is coupled to the first actuator and the end effector such that first actuator may be manipulated to induce motion of the end effector. A locking mechanism associated with the tensile member selectively impedes motion of the end effector. The locking mechanism includes a collet disposed about the tensile member and a collet clamp for receiving the collet. Receipt of the collet into the collet clamp induces radial compression of the collet to impede the motion of the tensile member therethrough. An actuation member extending through the elongated shaft induces insertion and withdrawal of the collet from the collet clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Peter Michael Mueller
  • Patent number: 8945174
    Abstract: A medical instrument includes a unitary jaw structure having: a connector portion, a first jaw portion flexibly integral with the connector portion, a first arm portion integral with the first jaw portion, and an actuator portion flexibly integral with the first arm portion for causing rotating motion of the first jaw portion upon linear motion of the actuator portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Blumenkranz
  • Patent number: 8945175
    Abstract: A latch mechanism for a surgical instrument includes a lever moveable from an initial position to an actuated position for moving an end effector assembly from a first to a second state. A pin extends from the lever. A cantilever spring is operably engaged to the housing of the instrument. A pin track member is operably engaged to the cantilever spring at a free end thereof. The pin track member is configured to permit translation of the pin therealong between a first position corresponding to the initial position of the lever and a second position corresponding to the actuated position of the lever. The pin is configured to translate from the first to the second position along a first path and from the second position back to the first position along a second path and is configured to be releasably retained in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: John R. Twomey
  • Patent number: 8939995
    Abstract: A radiolucent fastening device for fastening a reference device to a body for computer-assisted surgery, wherein a part of the fastening device is made from an unsubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound, a monosubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound or a multisubstituted carbon fiber reinforced polyether compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Brainlab AG
    Inventors: Christian Lechner, Rupert Heigl
  • Patent number: 8936614
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing supporting first and second actuators thereon, and an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing. First and second drive members extend through the elongated shaft to operatively couple respective actuators to respective jaw members such that independent manipulation of one of the actuators may induce pivotal movement of an individual jaw member. A locking member is operatively associated with the first and second drive members, and is selectively movable between locked and unlocked positions. When the locking member is in the locked position, the first and second drive members are coupled to one another and move concurrently to drive the jaw members in a bilateral manner. When the locking member is in the unlocked position, the drive members are decoupled from one another and move independently to permit operation of the instrument in a unilateral manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: James D. Allen, IV
  • Publication number: 20150018827
    Abstract: A forceps is provided. The forceps includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. The bipolar forceps also includes a hydraulic mechanism that includes a fluid line and a plunger operatively coupled to the fluid line. The plunger is translatable within at least a portion of the shaft from a proximal position to a distal position. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration. Each of the first and second jaw members configured to receive at least a portion of the plunger when a fluid is caused to flow within the fluid line such that the first and second jaw members move from an open position for positioning to a closed position for grasping tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: WILLIAM H. NAU, JR.
  • Patent number: 8932212
    Abstract: A seal anchor member defines a housing defining a longitudinal axis, the housing having leading and trailing ends, and including a plurality of lumens extending between the leading and trailing ends, each lumen being adapted for substantially sealed reception of an object therein and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein at least two of the lumens define longitudinal axes that are non-parallel to facilitate angled, at-rest placement of multiple instruments within the seal anchor member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Gregory Okoniewski
  • Publication number: 20150005813
    Abstract: The surgical instrument comprises a forceps tool (5) having a forceps base (21) and at least two forceps fingers (29) guided such that they can move relative to one another on the forceps base (21), and a manual actuation element for opening and closing the forceps element (5). The manual actuation element is connected to the forceps tool (5) via an elongated, flexible actuation cable (3) which comprises a tubular, flexible cable sheath (13) connected to the forceps base (21) and a flexible cable core (15) guided displaceably in the cable sheath (13) and connected to the forceps fingers (29) for opening and closing the forceps tool (5). At least the forceps fingers (29) of the forceps tool (5) are made of a non-ferromagnetic or substantially non-ferromagnetic metal, in particular titanium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat-Heidelberg
    Inventors: Herbert Maslanka, Sebastian Seitz, Henning Steen
  • Publication number: 20140379018
    Abstract: Medical systems, devices and methods are provided for engaging tissue, e.g. for clipping tissue, closing a perforation or performing hemostasis. Generally, the medical system including a housing, first and second jaws rotatable relative to the housing, a driver, and an elongate drive wire. The elongate drive wire may be disconnected from the driver, first and second jaws, and the housing, which are left in vivo engaged with the tissue. The medical device of the system may include a biasing strip engaged with the jaws, and/or a gripping strip attached to at least one of the jaws to improve the engagement of the tissue between the jaws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Michelle D. Martinez, Vihar C. Surti, Tyler Evans McLawhorn
  • Patent number: 8915939
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular medical instrument having a hollow shaft, a handle positioned on the proximal end of the shaft, and at least one tool actuation element that is positioned in the hollow shaft and has on its distal end a tool, wherein the tool actuation element can be coupled with at least one actuation mechanism of the handle to actuate the tool and wherein the tool actuation element and the hollow shaft can be detachably connected to one another by a coupling mechanism. To create a coupling mechanism that is essentially free of any play and is simple to operate, it is proposed with the invention that the stopping of the coupling mechanism between the tool actuation element and the hollow shaft should be dependent on the position of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Uwe Renger, Martin Blocher, Uwe Bacher
  • Patent number: 8906033
    Abstract: A novel inserter for inserting a prosthetic cervical motion disc, wherein the distal end portion of the inserter features a pair of projections that are adapted to move slidably and transversely relative to one another (like a wrench) in order to engage a prosthetic cervical motion disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. DiMauro, Edward B. Zalenski
  • Patent number: 8894668
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for holding a suturing needle comprises an operating section, an insert section having an insert-section distal end extension at a distal end of an insert section body, a clamping portion, a rotatable holder portion, a receiving member having a first contact surface, and a transmitting member having a second contact surface. The insert section body has an inner bore along a first axis in a longitudinal direction. The insert-section distal end extension has a rotation-allowing groove on an inner peripheral surface of an inner bore provided along a second axis at a predetermined angle with respect to the first axis. The rotatable holder portion is allowed to be passively rotatable about the second axis under an external force applied to the suturing needle when a gap is formed between the transmitting member and the receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Manabu Miyamoto, Shuhei Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20140336628
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an end effector, an actuator, and a spring assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw and a second jaw that pivots relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position. The actuator is coupled with the second jaw to pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw. The spring assembly is coupled with the actuator and is adjustable from a first position to a second position. The spring assembly compresses to resiliently bias the actuator to pivot the second jaw to the open position when the spring assembly is in the first position. The spring assembly compresses a smaller amount when the spring assembly is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Terry A. McFarland
  • Publication number: 20140336698
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating on tissue includes an end effector having a first jaw and a second jaw that pivots relative to the first jaw from a closed position to an open position. The second jaw includes a first portion and a second portion that pivots relative to the first portion. The second portion is positioned adjacent to the first portion of the second jaw when the second jaw is in the closed position. The first and second portions of the second jaw pivot outwardly as the second jaw is pivoted from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad P. Boudreaux, Aaron C. Voegele
  • Patent number: 8882800
    Abstract: A medical instrument with a shank consisting of pivotable jaw parts and a handle, the two jaw parts of the tool are pivotable relative to each other independently via the handle and each of the pivotable jaw parts is actuated via a separate drive. One drive is designed as a grip part mounted pivotably on the handle and is connected to one jaw part via a first push/pull element mounted in an axially displaceable manner in the shank, and the other drive is an adjusting wheel rotatable about a longitudinal axis of the shank and is connected to the other jaw part of the tool via a second push/pull element mounted in an axially displaceable manner in the shank. The push/pull element is designed as a push/pull rod, and the push/pull element which is coupled to the adjusting wheel is designed as a push/pull tube coaxially surrounding the push/pull rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: University of Dundee
    Inventor: Timothy Graham Frank
  • Patent number: 8864753
    Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position. One or both of the jaw members including a first stop member coupled thereto and disposed between the jaw members. The first stop member is longitudinally translatable along a surface of the at least one jaw member from a first position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the first approximated position, and a second position, wherein the first stop member inhibits approximation of the jaw members beyond the second approximated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: William H. Nau, Jr., Arlan J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp, Duane E. Kerr
  • Patent number: 8858590
    Abstract: Tissue manipulation and retraction devices. In various forms, the manipulation devices include a cannula that is insertable through the abdominal wall. A plurality of independently controllable manipulation members extend through the cannula and are attachable to various forms of surgical tools. The surgical tools may be manipulated and controlled by a surgeon from a position outside of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Gary W. Knight
  • Patent number: 8852228
    Abstract: A forceps is provided. The forceps includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. The bipolar forceps also includes a hydraulic mechanism that includes a fluid line and a plunger operatively coupled to the fluid line. The plunger is translatable within at least a portion of the shaft from a proximal position to a distal position. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration. Each of the first and second jaw members configured to receive at least a portion of the plunger when a fluid is caused to flow within the fluid line such that the first and second jaw members move from an open position for positioning to a closed position for grasping tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: William H. Nau, Jr.