US5626608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument having locking handle
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1996-03-29
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Granted: 1997-05-06
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Expires: 2016-03-29
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument is disclosed having a handle assembly including a barrel portion, stationary handle and a pivoting handle. A body assembly includes a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to the handle assembly, and an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of the pivoting handle of the handle assembly. The body assembly terminates at an end remote from the handle assembly in a reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism. A first toothed ratchet mechanism is associated with the pivoting handle, and a second toothed mating ratchet mechanism is operatively associated with the first toothed ratchet mechanism for selectively locking the first toothed ratchet mechanism and the pivoting handle in one of a plurality of selectable positions to thereby position the inner rod member and the movable tool mechanism in predetermined selectable positions. A finger operable trigger member is operatively associated with the second toothed ratchet mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the first and second ratchet mechanisms to thereby selectively lock and unlock the movable tool mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas J. Cuny
- 👤 Ernie Aranyi
- 👤 Paul A. Matula
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B2017/2946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument which comprises: a) a handle assembly including a barrel portion, a stationary handle and a pivoting handle extending from the barrel portion, the barrel portion having an interior cavity accommodating at least a portion of the pivoting handle, the stationary handle having an interior cavity, the pivoting handle having a lower portion forming ratchet teeth; b) a body assembly comprising a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to the barrel portion, and including an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of the pivoting handle, the body assembly terminating at one end remote from the handle assembly in a reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism; and c) a ratchet assembly operatively associated with the body assembly to provide incremental movement of the tool mechanism, the ratchet assembly including a trigger attached to the stationary handle and having trigger ratchet teeth for engagement with the ratchet teeth of the pivoting handle; and d) an override member that prevents engagement of said ratchet teeth when said override member engages said trigger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument which comprises: a) a handle assembly including a barrel portion, a stationary handle and a pivoting handle extending from the barrel portion, the barrel portion having an interior cavity accommodating at least a portion of the pivoting handle, the stationary handle having an interior cavity, the pivoting handle having a lower portion forming ratchet teeth; b) a body assembly comprising a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to the barrel portion, and including an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of the pivoting handle, the body assembly terminating at one end remote from the handle assembly in a reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism; and c) a ratchet assembly operatively associated with the body assembly to provide incremental movement of the tool mechanism, the ratchet assembly including a trigger attached to the stationary handle and having trigger ratchet teeth for engagement with the ratchet teeth of the pivoting handle; and d) an override member that prevents engagement of said ratchet teeth when said override member engages said trigger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said override member is slidably disposed on said body member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the pivotable handle activates the rod member such that movement of the pivotable handle slidingly reciprocates the rod member within the tube member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the ratchet assembly is spring biased to a disengaged position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the ratchet assembly is spring biased to an engaged position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising spring means disposed within the interior cavity of the barrel portion operatively associated with the pivoting handle for biasing the ratchet teeth of the pivoting handle into engagement with the trigger ratchet teeth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a circumferentially disposed knob member positioned on the body assembly and extending outwardly through a slot on the barrel portion of the handle assembly, the knob member providing for rotational movement of the body assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein said tool assembly further comprises a pair of jaws.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
148 words
A handle assembly for endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical instruments, the instrument including a body assembly secured to the handle assembly and having an inner rod member coaxially slidable within an outer tube member, the instrument further including a tool mechanism secured at an end of the body assembly distal from the handle; the handle assembly comprising: a) a pivoting handle operatively associated with the body assembly for moving the tool mechanism between an open and closed position; b) a stationary handle having an interior cavity; c) a disengagable ratchet assembly operatively associated with the pivotable handle to provide incremental movement of the tool mechanism when the ratchet assembly is in an engaged position, and free movement of the pivoting handle when the ratchet assembly is in a disengaged position; and d) a slide lock operatively associated with the ratchet assembly for maintaining the ratchet assembly in disengaged position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
A handle assembly for endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical instruments, the instrument including a body assembly secured to the handle assembly and having an inner rod member coaxially slidable within an outer tube member, the instrument further including a tool mechanism secured at an end of the body assembly distal from the handle; the handle assembly comprising: a) a pivoting handle operatively associated with the body assembly for moving the tool mechanism between an open and closed position; b) a stationary handle having an interior cavity; c) a disengagable ratchet assembly operatively associated with the pivotable handle to provide incremental movement of the tool mechanism when the ratchet assembly is in an engaged position, and free movement of the pivoting handle when the ratchet assembly is in a disengaged position; and d) a slide lock operatively associated with the ratchet assembly for maintaining the ratchet assembly in disengaged position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The handle assembly of claim 9 wherein the ratchet assembly includes a plurality of ratchet teeth formed by a lower portion of the pivoting handle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
58 words
The handle assembly of claim 10 further comprising a trigger pivotably secured to the stationary handle, the trigger having a plurality of trigger ratchet teeth, the trigger being spring biased to engage the trigger ratchet teeth with the ratchet teeth of the pivoting handle, the trigger configured to pivotably disengage the trigger ratchet teeth from the ratchet teeth.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 9, further comprising a circumferentially disposed knob member positioned on the body assembly and extending outwardly through a slot on the barrel portion of the handle assembly, the knob member providing for rotational movement of the body assembly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
176 words
An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a) a handle assembly including a barrel portion, stationary handle and a pivoting handle; b) a body assembly comprising a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to the handle assembly, including an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of the pivoting handle of the handle assembly, the body assembly terminating at an end remote from the handle assembly in a reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism; and c) a first toothed ratchet mechanism associated with the pivoting handle; d) a second toothed mating ratchet mechanism operatively associated with the first toothed ratchet mechanism for selectively locking the first toothed ratchet mechanism and the pivoting handle in one of a plurality of selectable positions to thereby position the inner rod member and the movable tool mechanism in predetermined selectable positions; and e) a trigger operatively associated with the second toothed ratchet mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the first and second ratchet mechanisms to thereby selectively lock and unlock the movable tool mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
176 words
An endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a) a handle assembly including a barrel portion, stationary handle and a pivoting handle; b) a body assembly comprising a pair of coaxial members attached at one end to the handle assembly, including an inner rod member slidable within an outer tube member in response to movement of the pivoting handle of the handle assembly, the body assembly terminating at an end remote from the handle assembly in a reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism; and c) a first toothed ratchet mechanism associated with the pivoting handle; d) a second toothed mating ratchet mechanism operatively associated with the first toothed ratchet mechanism for selectively locking the first toothed ratchet mechanism and the pivoting handle in one of a plurality of selectable positions to thereby position the inner rod member and the movable tool mechanism in predetermined selectable positions; and e) a trigger operatively associated with the second toothed ratchet mechanism for selectively engaging and disengaging the first and second ratchet mechanisms to thereby selectively lock and unlock the movable tool mechanism.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein said tool mechanism further comprises a pair of jaws.
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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) | 2000-05-05 | 2000-11-04 | 2001-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-05-05 | 2004-11-04 | 2005-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-05-05 | 2008-11-04 | 2009-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |