Patent EP0592249A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0592249A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Angled surgical instrument with rotating cutter
Assignee: Linvatec Corp
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Filing: 1993-10-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A thin-walled sleeve (16) of polymeric or similar material is heat-shrunk or otherwise closely fitted over a flexible torque-transmitting shaft (22) in an angled rotary surgical instrument of the type having an angled rigid sheath (32) and a cutter (34). The sleeve provides a seal to maintain aspiration or suction through the porous flexible shaft, and also provides an additional bearing surface on the distal end of the flexible shaft, facilitates insertion and removal of the flexible shaft, and provides a low friction surface between the flexible shaft and the sheath.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Fucci
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/32002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
An angled surgical instrument, comprising: a rigid elongated tubular sheath (32) adapted to be coupled to a motor assembly at its proximal end, and having a bend formed between its ends; a torque-transmitting member (22) within the sheath, comprising a flexible section (20) juxtaposed to the bend in the sheath and a sleeve (16) of polymeric material over the flexible section; and a rotatable cutter assembly (34) at the distal end (36) of the torque-transmitting member and adapted for rotation therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
An angled surgical instrument, comprising: a rigid elongated tubular sheath (32) adapted to be coupled to a motor assembly at its proximal end, and having a bend formed between its ends; a torque-transmitting member (22) within the sheath, comprising a flexible section (20) juxtaposed to the bend in the sheath and a sleeve (16) of polymeric material over the flexible section; and a rotatable cutter assembly (34) at the distal end (36) of the torque-transmitting member and adapted for rotation therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The instrument of claim 1, wherein the flexible section comprises a tubular inner member having a plurality of substantially circumferential slits formed therein, and wherein the sleeve is tubular and is secured to the inner member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The instrument of claim 2, wherein the inner member has opposed rows of interdigitated circumferential slits formed along its length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The instrument of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the inner member has a lumen extending through its centre, and the tubular sleeve effectively seals the slits, wherein suction or aspiration applied to the proximal end of the sheath or torque-transmitting member may be communicated to its distal end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of claim 4, which additionally comprises means (54) for applying the aspiration or suction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The instrument of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the inner member comprises three concentric tubular members (10,12,14) each comprising a continuous length of spiral-wrapped wire, e.g. of stainless steel, the slits being formed between adjacent sections of the wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The instrument of claim 6, wherein the wire of the concentric tubular members is flat in cross- section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the concentric tubular members are joined to one another at at least one end of the inner member (at 15), e.g. by spot-welding.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The instrument of any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the relative hands of the three tubular concentric members are such that application of torque to the torque-transmitting member tends to tighten the concentric tubular members with respect to one another.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The instrument of claim 9, wherein the innermost and outermost of the concentric tubular members (10,14) are spiral-wrapped with one hand, and the other such member (12) is spiral-wrapped with the opposite hand.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The instrument of any preceding claim, wherein the tubular sleeve is formed of a heat-shrinkable polyester.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The instrument of any preceding claim, which additionally comprises a drive motor (48) coupled to the torque-transmitting member, to rotate the torque-transmitting member relative to and within the sheath.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
65 words
An endoscopic instrument comprising: a rigid elongated tubular sheath (32); and a shaft member (32) disposed within the sheath, and comprising: a hollow tubular member for conducting aspirating fluid from the distal end of the sheath to its proximal end; and a thin-walled sleeve (16) offluid-impermeable material fitted over the hollow tubular member, to seal against leakage of the aspirating fluid from the tubular member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
An endoscopic instrument comprising: a rigid elongated tubular sheath (32); and a shaft member (32) disposed within the sheath, and comprising: a hollow tubular member for conducting aspirating fluid from the distal end of the sheath to its proximal end; and a thin-walled sleeve (16) offluid-impermeable material fitted over the hollow tubular member, to seal against leakage of the aspirating fluid from the tubular member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The instrument of claim 13, further comprising: a drive motor unit (48) on which the proximal end of the sheath is mounted; and a cutter assembly (34) supported at the distal end of the sheath; wherein the shaft member is a torque-transmitting member coupled to transmit torque received from the motor unit to the cutter assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The instrument of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the sheath has a bend between its ends, and wherein the hollow tubular member is flexible so that it adapts to the bend.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The instrument of claim 15, wherein the hollow tubular member has a discontinuous wall, to permit flexibility, and wherein the sleeve seals against leakage of fluid through the discontinuous wall.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The instrument of claim 16, wherein the sleeve is of flexible polymeric material fitted over the hollow tubular member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The instrument of any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the sleeve provides a bearing surface on the distal end of the sheath; and the sleeve includes lubrication means between the sheath and the shaft member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
60 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a rigid elongated tubular sheath (32); and a flexible member (32) disposed within the sheath, for aspirating fluid from a surgical site at which the sheath's distal end may be disposed; wherein the flexible member comprises: a fluid-permeable and flexible tubular inner member; and a fluid-impermeable sleeve (16) disposed about the inner member in fluid-sealing relation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
60 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a rigid elongated tubular sheath (32); and a flexible member (32) disposed within the sheath, for aspirating fluid from a surgical site at which the sheath's distal end may be disposed; wherein the flexible member comprises: a fluid-permeable and flexible tubular inner member; and a fluid-impermeable sleeve (16) disposed about the inner member in fluid-sealing relation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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