Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a) first and second arms pivotally secured together at an intermediate point to allow relative pivoting movement; b) a plurality of posts, each post including a first set of projections extending for substantially the length thereof and provided about substantially the entire periphery of the post; c) means for removably securing said posts to said arms whereby different posts can be secured to said arms depending on the surgical procedure to be performed, said means for removably securing allowing the posts to be positioned at varying angles relative to the arms; d) a plurality of surgical heads including a first set of means for contacting tissue; and e) means for removably securing the surgical heads to the posts including a second set of projections formed on each surgical head for releasably engaging said first set of projections such that the surgical head can be movably positioned along the length of the post and can be positioned at varying angles relative thereto whereby different surgical heads can be secured to said arms depending on the surgical procedure being performed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a) first and second arms pivotally secured together at an intermediate point to allow relative pivoting movement; b) a plurality of posts, each post including a first set of projections extending for substantially the length thereof and provided about substantially the entire periphery of the post; c) means for removably securing said posts to said arms whereby different posts can be secured to said arms depending on the surgical procedure to be performed, said means for removably securing allowing the posts to be positioned at varying angles relative to the arms; d) a plurality of surgical heads including a first set of means for contacting tissue; and e) means for removably securing the surgical heads to the posts including a second set of projections formed on each surgical head for releasably engaging said first set of projections such that the surgical head can be movably positioned along the length of the post and can be positioned at varying angles relative thereto whereby different surgical heads can be secured to said arms depending on the surgical procedure being performed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the means for removably securing the posts to the arms includes a ball and socket connector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the means for removably securing the posts to the arms also includes means for locking the posts at the desired angle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further including means for locking said arms in compression or retraction comprising third and fourth sets of projections formed on said second arms, a first locking mechanism releasably secured to the first arm and engageable with the third set of projections on the fourth arm to lock the arms in a retracting position and a second locking mechanism releasably secured to the first arm and engageable with the fourth set of projections on the second arm to lock the arms in a compressing position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the posts support another post, said another post being movably positioned at any angle and including means for supporting surgical heads.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the surgical heads include means for sensing the blood oxygen level of the tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the surgical heads include means for viewing the surgical area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the means for sensing includes fiber optics emitter and detector on said heads and an oximeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the means for viewing includes a fiber optics camera.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the ball and socket includes means for enhancing the engagement therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein said means for enhancing engagement includes projections formed on the ball.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the means for locking includes slotted ends of the arms forming arm sections which are movable towards one another to clamp the ball therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 12, including a collet for moving said portions toward one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein said collet and said arms include means engageable with one another.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
143 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a) first and second arms pivotally secured together at an intermediate point to allow relative pivoting movement; b) a plurality of posts; c) means for removably securing said posts to said arms whereby different posts can be secured to said arms depending on the surgical procedure to be performed, said means for removably securing allowing the posts to move relative to the arms, the limit of the movement of the posts defining a conical volume; d) a plurality of surgical heads including means for contacting tissue; and e) means for removably securing the surgical heads to the posts such that the surgical head can be movably positioned along the length of the post and can be positioned at varying angles relative thereto whereby different surgical heads can be secured to said arms depending on the surgical procedure being performed.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
143 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a) first and second arms pivotally secured together at an intermediate point to allow relative pivoting movement; b) a plurality of posts; c) means for removably securing said posts to said arms whereby different posts can be secured to said arms depending on the surgical procedure to be performed, said means for removably securing allowing the posts to move relative to the arms, the limit of the movement of the posts defining a conical volume; d) a plurality of surgical heads including means for contacting tissue; and e) means for removably securing the surgical heads to the posts such that the surgical head can be movably positioned along the length of the post and can be positioned at varying angles relative thereto whereby different surgical heads can be secured to said arms depending on the surgical procedure being performed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein the means for removably securing the posts to the arms includes a ball and socket connector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the means for removably securing the heads to the posts includes projections on the post mating with projections on the heads.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
91 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 15, further including means for locking said arms in compression or retraction comprising first and second sets of projections formed on said second arms, a first locking mechanism releasably secured to the first arm and engageable with the first set of projections on the second arm to lock the arms in a retracting position and a second locking mechanism releasably secured to the first arm and engageable with the second set of projections on the second arm to lock the arms in a compressing position.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein the posts support another post, said another post being movably positioned relative to the post and including means for supporting surgical heads.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein said means for securing said posts to said arms includes means for locking said posts to the arms at different angles such that the angle of the posts relative to the arms can be varied.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 20, wherein said means for locking fixes the posts at any angle relative to the arms.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein the surgical heads include means for sensing the blood oxygen level of the tissue.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein the surgical heads include means for viewing the surgical area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 22, wherein the means for sensing includes fiber optics emitter and detector on said heads and an oximeter.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 23, wherein the means for viewing includes a fiber optics camera.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the ball and socket include means for enhancing the engagement therebetween.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 26, wherein said means for enhancing engagement includes projections formed on the ball.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 20, wherein the means for locking includes slotted ends of the arms forming arm sections which are movable towards one another to clamp the ball therebetween.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 28, including a collet for moving said portions toward one another.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 29, wherein said collet and said arms include means engageable with one another.