US5590570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuating forces transmission link and assembly for use in surgical instruments
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
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Filing: 1994-10-21
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Granted: 1997-01-07
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Expires: 2014-10-21
Abstract
Abstract A link, and assembly and instrument using same, for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member. The link includes a link body having a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the link body is movably interconnected with the work member by a distal interconnection element such as an arcuate groove-and-flange assembly, and is interconnected at its proximal end to an actuating member by a proximal pivotal interconnection element. The proximal element transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member. A shoulder, disposed on the link body preferably between the distal and proximal elements for interconnecting, engages the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of the first actuating force. The greater force is thereby transmitted fully to the work member. The link assembly preferably includes a spacer member to assist positioning of the actuating member.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman J. LeMaire, III
- 👤 Francis J. DiFrancesco
- 👤 Paul DiCarlo
- 👤 Peter D. Naugler
- 👤 George J. Sikora
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 04:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/32; A61B17/2909; A61B2017/2912; A61B2017/2919; A61B2017/292; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2931; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2933; A61B2017/2934; A61B2017/2939; F; F16; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/50; F16B2200/503; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32319; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A link for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member, comprising: a link body having a distal end and a proximal end; distal means, disposed at said distal end of said link body, for movably interconnecting said link body with the work member; a proximal interconnection element, disposed on said proximal end of said link body, which pivotably interconnects said link body with the actuating member, and transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member; and a shoulder, disposed on said link body, which engages a distal region of the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of said first actuating force to transmit said second force to the work member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A link for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member, comprising: a link body having a distal end and a proximal end; distal means, disposed at said distal end of said link body, for movably interconnecting said link body with the work member; a proximal interconnection element, disposed on said proximal end of said link body, which pivotably interconnects said link body with the actuating member, and transmits a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member; and a shoulder, disposed on said link body, which engages a distal region of the actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of said first actuating force to transmit said second force to the work member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The link of claim 1 in which said distal means for interconnecting includes one of an arcuate flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The link of claim 1 in which said distal means for interconnecting is formed integrally with said link body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The link of claim 1 in which said link body is formed of metal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The link of claim 4 in which said metal is stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The link of claim 1 in which said proximal interconnection element includes a pin adapted to fit within a corresponding recess in the actuating member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The link of claim 1 in which said proximal interconnection element includes at least one recess for accepting a corresponding projection of said actuating member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The link of claim 1 in which said shoulder is concave.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The link of claim 1 further including a stop, associated with said distal means for interconnecting, for limiting movement of the work member relative to said link.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
137 words
A link for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member, comprising: a link body having a distal end and a proximal end; distal means, disposed at said distal end of said link body, for movably interconnecting said link body with the work member; and proximal engagement means, disposed on said proximal end of said link body, having a first curvilinear surface which pivotably engages a first surface of the actuating member to transmit a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member, and having a second curvilinear surface which pivotably engages a second surface of the actuating member to transmit a second, greater actuating force applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of said first actuating force to transmit said second force to the work member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
137 words
A link for transmitting actuating forces from an actuating member to a work member, comprising: a link body having a distal end and a proximal end; distal means, disposed at said distal end of said link body, for movably interconnecting said link body with the work member; and proximal engagement means, disposed on said proximal end of said link body, having a first curvilinear surface which pivotably engages a first surface of the actuating member to transmit a first actuating force from the actuating member to the work member, and having a second curvilinear surface which pivotably engages a second surface of the actuating member to transmit a second, greater actuating force applied to the actuating member in a direction opposite to that of said first actuating force to transmit said second force to the work member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-01-07 | 2000-07-08 | 2001-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-01-07 | 2004-07-08 | 2005-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-01-07 | 2008-07-08 | 2009-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |