Abstract: Needle holder having an elongate tubular member serving as a shaft and having a bore extending therethrough and having proximal and distal extremities. A push-pull rod is slidably mounted in the bore in the tubular member and has proximal and distal extremities. First and second jaws are carried by the distal extremity of the elongate tubular member. The first jaw is secured to the distal extremity of the tubular member in a fixed position. The second jaw is connected to the push-pull rod to cause the second jaw carried thereby to be moved between a closed needle-clamping position and an open position upon relative movement between said push-pull rod and said tubular member. One of said first and second jaws consists of first and second jaw portions having a slot extending therebetween. The other of said first and second jaws overlies and is disposed in the slot.

Abstract: A surgical retractor for use in performing hip surgery includes a pair of wing members mounted on a hinge pin for pivotal movement thereabout relative to one another. The hinge pin has one end mounted on a handle and carries a guide member at its opposing end. In performing surgery, the surgeon inserts the retractor, guide member first, with the wing members in a folded position, anchors the hinge pin in place by means of a nail driven into the bone and then opens the wing members to expose the hip socket for surgery. The wing members have guides which receive retention pins driven into the bone to retain the wing members in the desired open position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having a surgeon operable control handle for grasping surgical needles or other objects. The instrument has a moveable jaw opposed to a fixed jaw. The control handle engages a clamping spring which closes the jaws and exerts a grasping force which is proportional to the size of the object located between the jaws.

Abstract: The surgical instrument consists of a pair of arms of different lengths hinged together at an intermediate point for relative pivoting movement. The arms are provided with obliquely oriented handles at one end thereof. The opposite ends of the arms support removable posts having means for removably securing a plurality of different surgical heads. A variety of heads and different shaped posts are provided to facilitate retraction in a wide variety of surgical procedures. A serrated locking mechanism is also provided to lock the arms in either a retraction or compression mode.

Abstract: A surgical forceps particularly useful in least invasive surgery includes an elongate probe formed of an outer tubular member and an inner member movable in the outer probe member, stationary and movable jaws coupled with the distal ends, respectively, of the outer and inner probe members, and a handle squeezable to move the movable jaw relative to the stationary jaw to rearwardly or forwardly cut tissue or grasp tissue. A force diverting mechanism is responsive to the force applied to the handle exceeding a predetermined force to provide the surgeon with an indication of the excessive force and protects the jaw components at the distal end of the surgical forceps. A suction passage is formed in the forceps for aspirating cut tissue and assisting the positioning of tissue between the jaws, and suction can be produced continuously or controlled via the handle. The handle includes locking and latching mechanisms to hold the jaws in a closed position.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for clamping, shearing, cutting or a variety of other tasks where the instrument is comprised of an elongated tube having a moveable jaw and a fixed jaw at a distal end and a pair of opposed, cooperating actuating handles at a proximal end for operating the moveable jaw by way of a pull and push rod. The moveable jaw is normally in the open position. Because at least one of the actuating handles is resiliently flexible and the actuating handles are normally bowed outward, squeezing them together produces relative proximal displacement of the pull and push rod. This proximal movement of the rod causes the moveable jaw to move proximally and to pivot about its connection to the fixed jaw resulting in the closure of the two jaws together Preferably, the surgical instrument has a removable end piece fitted in the proximal end of the elongated tube.

Abstract: A surgical instrument consisting of a disposable working member and a reusable handle member. The surgical instrument reduces the risk of cross-contamination as the parts of the instrument which enter the body cavity are disposable. The reusable handle is designed for quick and easy loading and unloading of the disposable working member or stem assembly. The reusable handle may be used with stem assemblies of various types, sizes and shapes.

Abstract: An instrument (602), particularly suited for endoscopic use, has an elongate body, including a base (604) and an elongate spindle (630) rotatably mounted to the base. A removable end-effector assembly (612), mounted at the distal end of the spindle (630), includes end-effector elements (608, 610), such as a pair of jaws, actuated by finger and thumb rings (616, 618) mounted to the base. A rotary actuator trigger (78) is slidably mounted to the base. The spindle (630) has a spiral groove (632) engaged by a cam pin (82) extending from the trigger so that axial movement of the trigger causes rotary motion of the spindle and the end-effector assembly therewith. The spindle and end-effector assembly are sheathed by a nonrotating sleeve (688) with an unbroken outer surface. The sleeve can be releasably translated axially to release or engage an end-effector assembly, allowing use of alternate end-effector assemblies.

Abstract: A needle manipulator (2), particularly suited for endoscopic use, has an elongate body (4) including a base (6) and an elongate tip carrier tube (8) rotatably mounted to the base. A removable tip assembly (10), mounted at the distal end of the tip carrier tube, includes jaws (26,28) actuated by finger and thumb loops (16,18) mounted to the base. A rotary actuator trigger (78) is slidably mounted to the base. The tip carrier tube has a spiral groove (90) engaged by a cam pin (82) extending from the trigger so that axial movement of the trigger causes rotary motion of the tip carrier tube and the tip assembly therewith. Suture material (93) is supplied through the carrier tube and to a needle (118) held by the jaws.

Abstract: An extractor for gallbladders and appendices, comprising a protective guiding tube for insertion into the peritoneum of a patient, a gripping means provided at the front end of the protective guiding tube and comprising at least two bowls which are adapted to be opened and closed like tongs and which, in the closed state, form a rotational body extending longitudinally in the direction of the protective guiding tube, and an operating means for opening and closing the bowls and projecting from the rear end of the protective guiding tube, the transmission elements of the operating means lie within the protective guiding tube and extend therethrough.

Abstract: An endoscopic surgical instrument is designed for axial elongation by incorporating a manually operated mechanism which elongates the instrument upon manual rotation. The manually operated mechanism is joined to and supports a functional element at the tip of the instrument. Operation of the functional element at the distal tip of the instrument is achieved by manipulations at the proximal end of the instrument, and is not impaired by the extension. The user can lock the tip against rotary motion. The tip assembly is removably attached to the instrument, such as by using a bayonet-type locking element.

Abstract: A medical instrument as a forcep with tissue-gripping jaws is disclosed herein having pivotal handles carried on an instrument body from which an elongated tube projects enclosing a push-pull rod. The rod carries a pivotal jaw arrangement and outwardly projecting from the tube for tissue grasping or gripping purposes. The other end of the rod is coupled to the handle for actuation of the jaw arrangement by either push rod or pull rod functioning. A spherical piston or rack and pinion gear interconnects the rod end with the jaw arrangement and a rod travel limit stop is operably connected between the handle, rod and instrument body. The jaw arrangement includes a pair of members having opposing wavy and serrated surfaces operably to open and close to retain tissue as the instrument is manipulated by medical personnel.

Abstract: A instrument (2), particularly suited for endoscopic use, has an elongate body (4) including a base (6) and an elongate tip carrier tube (8) rotatably mounted to the base. A removable tip assembly (10), mounted at the distal end of the tip carrier tube, includes jaws (26,28) actuated by finger and thumb loops (16,18) mounted to the base. A rotary actuator trigger (78) is slidably mounted to the base. The tip carrier tube has a spiral groove (90) engaged by a cam pin (82) extending from the trigger so that axial movement of the trigger causes rotary motion of the tip carrier tube and the tip assembly therewith.

Abstract: A medical instrument including a tubular extension within which and to which two movable end effectors, such as jaw members, are rotatably attached by a pivot. The proximal end of each end effector is pivotally attached to and butts against a drive surface of its respective arm of a dual action drive member also located within the tubular extension. As the dual action drive member is moved proximally or distally within the tubular extension, the distal ends of the end effectors rotate or counter rotate about the pivot in opposition to one another. The dual action drive member paired arms have end surfaces which transfer, to the end effectors, the force required to rotate the end effectors toward one another, thereby reducing the shear force applied to pivot posts on the arms used to open the jaws. The dual action drive member may be used with a variety of different end effector devices including but not limited to medical grippers, hole punches, dissectors, extractors, scissors, and clamps.

Abstract: An instrument for facilitating the tying of a suture during a surgical procedure. The instrument has a body with a first structure for releasably holding a first portion of a suture and a second structure, spaced from the first holding structure, for releasably holding a second portion of the suture. Actuating structure is provided to selectively cause the first holding structure to hold and release the first portion of the suture and causing the second holding structure to hold and release the second portion of the suture.

Abstract: A remotely controlled, powered applier for attaching aneurism clips has a fixed jaw and a movable jaw at the end of an extension having two parallel rods. Longitudinal motion of a movable rod causes the jaws to open or close. The proximal ends of the rods are connected to an actuator having a radially symmetrical housing. Within the actuator, a movable rod is attached to a rotary to linear motion converter driven by a small, reversible, electric motor. Footswitches control the speed and direction of the motor and the action of the jaws. The rotary to linear converter is an internally threaded sleeve rotated by the motor and engaging a thread on the proximal end of the movable rod.

Abstract: The device described herein comprises a surgical forceps designed to prevent slipping of the tips of the forcep jaws, to avoid injury to the surgeon's thumb or finger and to provide non-slip grip of a patient's blood vessels and tissues. Originally such forceps had no provision for preventing the slipping of the forceps jaws. Then a pin or tiny rod was fixed vertically to the inside surface of one jaw of the forcep and a receptive opening in the other jaw positioned to receive the pin and thereby prevent slipping of the tips of the jaws away from each other and thus allowing a firm, non-slipping grip on a blood vessel and tissue and allowing the surgeon to use his other hand to manipulate a needle for suturing. Unfortunately the surgeon occasionally places a thumb or finger over the opening and when the pin is pushed through the opening, the pin sometimes pierces the flesh on the thumb or finger.

Abstract: A surgical instrument having first and second cooperating jaws that are movable relative to each other selectively between open and closed positions, structure for normally urging the jaws from their open position towards their closed position with a first predetermined force, there further being structure for urging the jaws towards the closed position therefor with a second predetermined force that is greater than the first predetermined force.

Abstract: Surgical instruments of the invention are provided with distal ends having a clevis and two discrete investment cast end effectors. One end effector is stationary relative to the clevis, and the other moves or rotates about a transverse pin of the clevis. The rotating end effector includes a first hole through which the transverse pin extends, and the surgical instrument includes an actuation mechanism for causing the rotating end effector to rotate about the transverse pin. The actuation mechanism preferably includes a push rod which is either directly coupled to the proximal end of the rotating end effector or coupled by a staple element. On the other hand, the stationary second end effector, while including a first hole through which the transverse pin extends, has a boss which preferably engages a hole in the clevis and is not coupled to the actuation mechanism.

Abstract: The surgical instrument is used to hold a suture needle and thread to suture a wound or incision on a patient. A pair of pivotal jaws form the bite area. A pair of pivot handles are placed in tandem to the pair of jaws. The front ends of the handles are pivotally connected to the back of the jaws. When the handles are at-rest, the jaws are shut. When the handles are squeezed together, the jaws open. There is a compression spring placed between the rear ends of the handle to keep tension on the handles to keep them spread apart, which in turn keeps tension on the jaws to keep them shut. The dual pivot points of the pair of handles and the pair of jaws increases the pressure at the bite of the jaws. The jaws remain closed and secure the needle to allow the surgeon to suture without having to keep tension on the handles keep the jaws shut. The surgeon squeezes the handles to temporarily open the jaws to release the needle or to grab the needle and then releases his grip on the handles.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endoscopic retractor suitable for use in laporoscopic surgery to retract, separate, and expose different tissues, organs and viscera, in manner similar to conventional open surgery retractors.

Abstract: A multiple purpose medical forceps allows for simultaneous grasping of tissue while lasing, irrigating, suctioning and cauterizing. The forceps includes a laser fiber and irrigation and suction catheters contained within a tubular housing and exiting adjacent a pair of jaws. The forceps is insertable through a cannula into a patient's abdomen for use during a laparascopy, or into any other bodily cavity where scopic surgery may be performed.

Abstract: A skin cutter instrument for excising ellipsoid-shaped samples of skin from a patient is disclosed. The skin cutter has a hollow tube, a spring and rod combination within the tube, an assembly with multiple pivotable joints, and two skin cutting blades. The assembly carries out a scissoring motion when the rod is pressed down, causing the blades to come together and thereby remove the skin sample. The blades can have either concave cutting surfaces, or straight cutting surfaces that are deformed into an arc shape. Either blade cutting surface configuration allows for excision of the desired ellipsoid-shaped tissue sample from the patient.

Abstract: An adjustable angle medical forceps is disclosed which has a rotatable arm to which is attached a jaw element and which provides increased surgical dexterity for suturing with curved or straight needles, for dissecting bodily organs, and for isolating nerves, arteries, and the like. The forceps includes a laser fiber and irrigation and suction catheters for lasing, irrigating, and suctioning.

Abstract: Releasable ratchet mechanism for medical instruments such as endoscopic instruments are disclosed. The ratchet mechanism includes: a leaf spring with a locking barb which is located on a handle of the medical instrument; a ratchet on a lever arm of the medical instrument which lever arm is pivotally engaged to the handle; and a latch on the handle of the medical instrument. The latch on the handle engages and resiliently deforms the leaf spring to cause engagement of the locking barb in a groove of the ratchet when the latch is in a first position. When in a second position, the latch releases the locking barb from the ratchet groove. Preferably, the locking barb has an extending edge surface on an axis which is substantially parallel to the pivoting axis of the handle and lever arm, and the teeth of the ratchet have extending edge surfaces on axes substantially parallel to the extending edge surface of the locking barb.

Abstract: A surgical device having a pair of slidably interlocking spring biased upper and lower shaft members. A grasping handle is associated with one end of the interlocking shaft members for grasping the same and sliding the upper shaft member forwardly along the lower shaft member. A grasping jaw member is pivotally connected to the other end of the shaft members, the jaw members being in meshing engagement thereby effecting a double jaw opening and closing when the upper shaft member is actuated with respect to the lower shaft member.

Abstract: A pair of obstetrical spatulas especially useful during the second stage or expulsion stage of labor during childbirth to assist in helping the fetal head to exit from the pelvic outlet by closely simulating the normal movements of the fetal head in the birth canal. Each spatula includes a blade provided with cephalic curve configuration to conform with and engage the fetal head with the blades including a shank or pedicule which form an angle of approximately 35.degree. with the longitudinal axis of the blades to provide a perineal curve. The pedicules are connected to a semicircular segment by a hinge at each end of the semicircular segment to enable articulate movement of the pedicules and blades in directions toward and away from each other and in longitudinal or axial directions.

Abstract: A vascular clamp for temporary occlusion in the infrarenal region of the abdominal aorta during performance of surgery associated with abdominal aneurysms. Pivoted handles are operatively connected to respective one ends of relatively slidable elongate members, and parallel jaws laterally extend from the other ends. Manipulating the handles in scissors-like motion causes the jaws to translate between open and close positions. A ratchet-and-tooth arrangement interengages the handles as the jaws close.

Abstract: A latching device for enabling pieces of tissue or foreign bodies to be held securely by medical forceps during a medical operation comprises two elongate spring members whose opposed ends are secured in closed, telescoping tubes which are hinged to the handles of a forceps. The forceps handles are elastically yielding to some degree and by closing them together the spring members are moved towards one another and are caused to hook together by means of butting faces. Hence the tissue or the like which the forceps has taken hold of is automatically held secure once the manual pressure on the handle has been relaxed. If the handles are pressed closer together, the hooked interengagement is released and the spring-loading in the forceps handles opens them and allows the forceps jaws to release the tissue or the like which is being held.

Abstract: A vascular clamp assembly includes a peripheral frame having an open central area, a support bar mounted on the frame, and a pair of clamps that are slidably mounted on the support bar. Each clamp includes an upper jaw member, a lower jaw member and a tension adjustor plate. The upper jaw member is pivotally mounted on the lower jaw member in a longitudinally overlying relationship with the lower jaw member. The tension adjustor plate is pivotally mounted to the lower jaw member and slidably engageable with the upper jaw member so that the plate may be wedged between the upper and lower jaw members in selectable positions. Each clamp also includes a pair of blades which are disposed in overlying relationship and which are relatively positionable, in accordance with the position of the tension adjustor plate, so that they can receive between them and engage a blood vessel and exert on the vessel a selectable holding force.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for forceps including first latch portion on one forcep handle and a second latch portion on the other forceps handle and a bias spring for placing the handles, and thus the jaws, in a first predetermined spacing. The first latch portion has a cam surface, a shelf and a slot. The second latch portion has a transverse projection which engages the cam surface as the handles close and then engages the shelf and upon further closing of the handles and then springs through the slot to disengage the latching mechanism and return the handles to the original position controlled by the bias spring. The first position allows a surgical assistant to load an aneurysm clip into the jaws of the forceps. The second predetermined position allows the surgical assistant to partially close the handles sufficient to hold the aneurysm clip firmly in place. The surgeon then takes the forcep and inserts the aneurysm clip by further closing the handles and releases the latching mechanism by relaxing the grip.

Abstract: disassemblable scissors which utilizes a releasable pivot joint between pivotable scissor halves. The pivot joint is formed in the scissor halves between the blades and the handles of the scissor. The scissors halves are pivotally retained together over a range of cutting motions by a retaining assembly. The retaining assembly retains a portion of one of the scissors halves movably within a retaining portion of the other of said scissors halves at least over the range of cutting motions. To release and disassemble the scissors, the scissors halves must be pivoted at least past the range of cutting motions to a point where the portion of the one scissor half is no longer retained by the retaining portion of the other scissors half. In this position, the two halves can be transversely pulled apart.

Abstract: A clamping device for positioning and holding gynecological instruments, such as uterine instruments, or the like. The device is illustrated in the form of a forceps having handles located at one end, and clamps located at the opposite end for selectively clamping onto at least a portion of the cervix. A second clamp is located intermediate the ends of the forceps for releasably clamping onto the gynecological instrument to hold the instrument in proper position relative to the uterus.

Abstract: A vascular clamp assembly includes a peripheral frame having an open central area, a support bar mounted on the frame, and a pair of clamps that are slidably mounted on the support bar. Each clamp includes an upper jaw member, a lower jaw member and a tension adjustor plate. The upper jaw member is pivotally mounted on the lower jaw member in a longitudinally overlying relationship with the lower jaw member. The tension adjustor plate is pivotally mounted to the lower jaw member and slidably engageable with the upper jaw member so that the plate may be wedged between the upper and lower jaw members in selectable positions. Each clamp also includes a pair of blades which are disposed in overlying relationship and which are relatively positionable, in accordance with the position of the tension adjustor plate, so that they can receive between them and engage a blood vessel and exert on the vessel a selectable holding force.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for holding a suture needle is provided. The instrument includes handle portions shaped to accommodate the human hand, jaws formed to securely grasp a suture needle and a latching mechanism to hold the device closed so that the physician can concentrate on manipulation of the needle. The contoured shape of the handle portions improves the ability of the surgeon to grasp and manipulate the instrument under the adverse conditions encountered during surgery.

Abstract: The invention relates to Bowel-Anastomosis-Ring holder pincers having two pivotally connected arms and a terminal head portion, angled with respect to said arms, wherein said head portion has two jaws which form in combination with one another an elliptical shape, each of said jaws including a lower claw upon which an upper claw is fixed as a staple member, having the same elliptical curvature as the lower claw and slightly inwardly staggered with respect thereto. The upper claws have a circular cross-section and the lower claws have an internal surface with a slightly inwardly concave profile.

Abstract: An instrument for holding surgical needles comprises a pair of forceps having forceps jaws at a distal end of the instrument and having a pair of hand grips for operating a movable jaw of the forceps by way of a push and pull rod. The movable jaw is releasably retainable in a closed needle gripping position. The hand grips extend obliquely outwardly in the proximal direction of the instrument and are arranged in mirror image symmetry with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof. The hand grips are actuable in the transverse direction of the longitudinal axis, the forceps jaws, when closed, lying in the direction of that axis. The transverse force exerted on the hand grips is convertable to a longitudinally directed force for actuating the movable jaw, to grip a surgical needle. The instrument can be passed through conventional trocar sleeves.

Abstract: A forceps for use in orthopedic surgical procedures having readily interchangeable tip elements and a reversible ratchet mechanism, for controlling the tip elements. A variety of tips for compression and distraction are provided. The ratchet mechanism permits controlled increments of force to be applied to the tips.

Abstract: A forceps for inserting a catheter into a patient including a pair of jaws for receiving a flange on the neck of a cannula which mounts the catheter, and a catheter-engaging member for engaging the hub of a catheter to force it into the patient, the forceps including finger and thumb-receiving rings connected to the jaws and the catheter-engaging member to cause them to be movable relative to each other to withdraw the cannula from the catheter after the latter has been inserted into the patient.

Abstract: An endoscopic biopsy forceps device incorporating a novel and unique camming arrangement for selectively opening and closing the biopsy cutting jaws of the biopsy forceps which will render the entire device of a simpler construction and reliable in operation, while concurrently making it considerably less expensive to produce.