US5665100A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multifunctional instrument with interchangeable operating units for performing endoscopic procedures
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-01-20
•
Granted: 1997-09-09
•
Expires: 2015-01-20
Abstract
Abstract An endoscopic instrument includes a forceps unit for being positioned within an anatomical cavity and a removable operating unit. The forceps unit includes a housing, an outer tubular member, an intermediate member, and a handle mechanism coupled with at least one of the intermediate and outer tubular members for creating relative movement between the intermediate and outer tubular members. The outer tubular member has a proximal end mounted by the housing and terminates distally at a distal end. The intermediate member has a tubular body disposed telescopically within the outer tubular member, a proximal end mounted by the housing and an integral one-piece distal end defining a pair of opposed jaws resiliently biased apart such that relative movement of the outer tubular member distal end over the jaws causes the jaws to close. The operating unit includes a hub mounting an inner tubular member removably disposed at least partly within the intermediate member and carrying operating members for performing at least one of the functions of cutting, grasping, manipulating, dissecting, collecting tissue for biopsy, penetrating tissue with a needle, injecting fluids, creating suction, aspirating, irrigating, suturing, ligating, visualizing, illuminating and cauterizing.
Inventors
- 👤 Inbae Yoon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/06; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/12009; A61B17/12013; A61B17/122; A61B17/128; A61B17/1285; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/295; A61B17/32; A61B17/320016; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/20; A61F6/206; A61B17/2812; A61B17/282; A61B17/30; A61B17/3201; A61B17/3421; A61B17/3474; A61B17/3478; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00353; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/2825; A61B17/2909; A61B2017/2912; A61B2017/2923; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2931; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2933; A61B2017/2937; A61B2017/2943; A61B2017/303; A61B2017/3445; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00184; A61B2018/00196; A61B2018/00315; A61B2018/00345; A61B2018/00351; A61B2018/00392; A61B2018/00404; A61B2018/00571; A61B2018/00601; A61B2018/00982; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/1253; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1412; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1452; A61B2018/1455; A61B2018/1457; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B2218/00; A61B2218/001; A61B2218/002; A61B2218/007; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/361
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An endoscopic instrument comprising a housing; an outer tubular member having a proximal end mounted by said housing and terminating distally at a distal end; an intermediate member having a tubular body disposed telescopically within said outer tubular member, a proximal end mounted by said housing and an integral one-piece distal end defining a pair of opposed jaws resiliently biased apart; an inner member removably disposed at least partly within said intermediate member and carrying an operating member; and handle means coupled with at least one of said intermediate and outer tubular members for creating relative movement between said intermediate and outer tubular members, whereby said pair of opposed jaws is closed when said distal end of said outer tubular member is advanced distally over said jaws.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An endoscopic instrument comprising a housing; an outer tubular member having a proximal end mounted by said housing and terminating distally at a distal end; an intermediate member having a tubular body disposed telescopically within said outer tubular member, a proximal end mounted by said housing and an integral one-piece distal end defining a pair of opposed jaws resiliently biased apart; an inner member removably disposed at least partly within said intermediate member and carrying an operating member; and handle means coupled with at least one of said intermediate and outer tubular members for creating relative movement between said intermediate and outer tubular members, whereby said pair of opposed jaws is closed when said distal end of said outer tubular member is advanced distally over said jaws.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said jaws define opposed grasping surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 2 wherein a longitudinal groove is formed in one of said opposed grasping surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 3 wherein said longitudinal groove extends part way along said grasping surface to define a stop limiting distal movement of an operating member advanced along said groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 3 wherein said longitudinal groove extends along an entire length of said grasping surface to define an aperture at a distal end of said jaw.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 2 wherein a longitudinal groove is formed in each of said opposed grasping surfaces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 6 wherein said longitudinal grooves extend part way along said grasping surfaces to define a pair of stops limiting distal movement of an operating member advanced along said grooves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 6 wherein said longitudinal grooves extend along entire lengths of said grasping surfaces to define an aperture at a distal end of said jaws.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 2 wherein at least one of said grasping surfaces carries a cutting blade.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 9 wherein one of said grasping surfaces carries a cutting blade and a pocket formed in said opposed grasping surface for receiving said cutting blade.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 9 wherein said opposed grasping surfaces carry opposed cutting blades.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 11 wherein said cutting blades are arranged to slidingly contact when said jaws are closed and pockets are formed in said grasping surfaces alongside said cutting blades for receiving said opposed cutting blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 9 wherein a groove is formed in at least one of said grasping surfaces and said cutting blade is laterally offset from said groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 and further comprising cam members carried on outer surfaces of said jaws.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said jaws include opposed arcuate portions defining an opening between said jaws.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein one of said jaws is fixed parallel to a longitudinal axis of said intermediate member and the other of said jaws is movable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a blade with a distal cutting edge.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 17 wherein said inner member includes a tubular shaft having an open distal end and said blade is disposed diametrically across said open distal end of said tubular shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 18 wherein a longitudinal groove is formed in at least one jaw and said blade is arranged to slide along said groove when moved between said jaws.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a pair of pivoted blades with opposed cutting edges.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 20 wherein one of said blades is fixed to extend longitudinally and the other of said blades is movable.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 20 wherein both blades are movable.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 20 wherein a pair of opposed grooves are formed in said jaws and said blades are biased apart to fit within said grooves when advanced between said jaws.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating member includes a pair of opposed biopsy boxes.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 24 wherein one of said biopsy boxes is fixed to extend longitudinally and the other of said biopsy boxes is movable.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 24 wherein both of said biopsy boxes are movable.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 24 wherein a pair of opposed grooves are formed in said jaws and said biopsy boxes are biased apart to fit within said grooves when advanced between said jaws.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said inner member includes a tubular shaft and said operating member includes a needle having a tissue penetrating distal end, said needle being carried at a distal end of said tubular shaft.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 28 wherein said needle is coaxial with said inner member tubular shaft.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 28 wherein said needle is offset from a central longitudinal axis of said inner member tubular shaft.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 28 wherein said distal end of said tubular shaft is open and said needle is solid.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 28 wherein said distal end of said tubular shaft is closed and said needle is hollow and extends from an opening in said closed distal end of said tubular shaft.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 28 wherein said needle is curved.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 28 wherein a channel is formed along the length of said needle.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 34 and further comprising an implement telescopically fitted within said inner member tubular shaft and carrying a cutting blade at a distal end for sliding along said channel.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
13 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 28 wherein said needle is angled.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 28 wherein a groove is formed in at least one of said jaws and said needle is configured to slide along said groove when said jaws are closed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said inner member includes a tubular shaft and said operating member includes a hook.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
21 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 38 wherein said hook includes a shank coaxial with said inner member tubular shaft.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 38 wherein said hook includes a shank offset from a central longitudinal axis of said inner member tubular shaft.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 38 wherein a distal end of said tubular shaft is open and said hook is solid.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 38 wherein a distal end of said tubular shaft is closed and said hook is hollow and extends from an opening in said closed distal end of said tubular shaft.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 38 wherein a channel is formed along an inner edge of said hook.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 43 and further comprising an implement telescopically fitted within said inner member tubular shaft and carrying a cutting blade at a distal end for sliding along said channel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
27 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 44 wherein said cutting blade has a curved distal cutting edge configured to conform to the shape of said hook.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 38 wherein said hook is angled.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
35 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 38 wherein a groove is formed in at least one of said jaws and said hook is configured to slide along said groove when said jaws are closed.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 and further comprising a hub configured to be releasably coupled-with said housing and to carry said inner member.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
37 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 48 wherein said inner member is biased proximally relative to said hub and further comprising a handle mounted on said inner member externally of said hub for being advanced distally.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 49 and further comprising safety means for locking the inner member to prevent movement relative to said hub.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic instrument as recited in claim 1 wherein said inner member includes valve means at a proximal end for controlling passage through said inner member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
137 words
An endoscopic instrument comprising a housing; an outer tubular member having a proximal end mounted by said housing and terminating distally at a distal end; an intermediate member having a tubular body disposed telescopically within said outer tubular member, a proximal end mounted by said housing and an integral one-piece distal end defining a pair of opposed jaws resiliently biased apart, said intermediate member defining a lumen in communication with an opening in said housing; bias means for biasing said outer tubular member over said jaws; and handle means coupled with at least one of said intermediate and outer tubular members for creating relative movement between said intermediate and outer tubular members, whereby said pair of opposed jaws can be opened when said distal end of said outer tubular member is retracted proximally relative to said jaws.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
137 words
An endoscopic instrument comprising a housing; an outer tubular member having a proximal end mounted by said housing and terminating distally at a distal end; an intermediate member having a tubular body disposed telescopically within said outer tubular member, a proximal end mounted by said housing and an integral one-piece distal end defining a pair of opposed jaws resiliently biased apart, said intermediate member defining a lumen in communication with an opening in said housing; bias means for biasing said outer tubular member over said jaws; and handle means coupled with at least one of said intermediate and outer tubular members for creating relative movement between said intermediate and outer tubular members, whereby said pair of opposed jaws can be opened when said distal end of said outer tubular member is retracted proximally relative to said jaws.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of performing endoscopic procedures comprising the steps of introducing a tubular member with integrally formed jaws through an opening in an anatomical cavity wall; grasping anatomical tissue with the jaws; advancing an inner member distally through the tubular member; and performing a medical procedure with the inner member.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
50 words
A method of performing endoscopic procedures comprising the steps of introducing a tubular member with integrally formed jaws through an opening in an anatomical cavity wall; grasping anatomical tissue with the jaws; advancing an inner member distally through the tubular member; and performing a medical procedure with the inner member.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as recited in claim 53 wherein said performing step includes the step of using an operating member carried at a distal end of the inner member to perform at least one of the functions of cutting, cauterizing, penetrating, injecting, grasping, manipulating, hooking, collecting a biopsy, creating suction, dissecting, irrigating and aspirating.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as recited in claim 53 wherein said introducing step includes closing the forceps jaws by sliding an outer tubular member over the jaws.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method as recited in claim 55 wherein said grasping step includes sliding the outer tubular member off of the jaws to permit the jaws to resiliently separate, positioning the anatomical tissue between the separated jaws and sliding the outer tubular member over the jaws to close the jaws around the anatomical tissue.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of performing endoscopic procedures comprising the steps of introducing a tubular member with integrally formed jaws through an opening in an anatomical cavity wall; advancing an inner member carrying an operating member distally through the tubular member until the operating member protrudes distally from the jaws; and performing a medical procedure with the operating member.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of performing endoscopic procedures comprising the steps of introducing a tubular member with integrally formed jaws through an opening in an anatomical cavity wall; advancing an inner member carrying an operating member distally through the tubular member until the operating member protrudes distally from the jaws; and performing a medical procedure with the operating member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 57 wherein said performing step includes using the operating member to perform at least one of the functions of cutting, cauterizing, penetrating, injecting, hooking, grasping, dissecting, manipulating, collecting a biopsy, creating suction, irrigating and aspirating.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as recited in claim 57 wherein said introducing step includes closing the forceps jaws by sliding an outer tubular member over the jaws and said advancing step includes moving a cutting blade along a groove formed in the jaws.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as recited in claim 57 wherein said introducing step includes closing the forceps jaws by sliding an outer tubular member over the jaws and said advancing step includes the step of moving a needle along a groove formed in the jaws.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as recited in claim 57 wherein said introducing step includes closing the forceps jaws by sliding an outer tubular member over the jaws and said advancing step includes moving a hook along a groove formed in the jaws.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as recited in claim 61 and further comprising the steps of maintaining the jaws in a closed condition, positioning anatomical tissue between the hook and the closed jaws and retracting the hook in a proximal direction to hold the anatomical tissue between the hook and the closed jaws.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as recited in claim 62 and further comprising the step of advancing a cutting blade through the inner member to slide along a channel formed in the hook and cutting the anatomical tissue held between the hook and the closed jaws.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of performing endoscopic procedures comprising the steps of introducing a tubular member with integrally formed jaws through an opening in an anatomical cavity wall; advancing an inner member distally through the tubular member until an operating member carried by the inner member is disposed between the jaws, said operating member having opposed distal portions biased apart; opening the jaws to permit the opposed distal portions of the operating member to separate; positioning anatomical tissue between the opposed distal portions of the operating member; and closing the jaws to move the opposed distal portions of the operating member toward one another.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of performing endoscopic procedures comprising the steps of introducing a tubular member with integrally formed jaws through an opening in an anatomical cavity wall; advancing an inner member distally through the tubular member until an operating member carried by the inner member is disposed between the jaws, said operating member having opposed distal portions biased apart; opening the jaws to permit the opposed distal portions of the operating member to separate; positioning anatomical tissue between the opposed distal portions of the operating member; and closing the jaws to move the opposed distal portions of the operating member toward one another.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 64 wherein said advancing step includes positioning an operating member having a pair of pivoted blades with opposed cutting edges between the jaws.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 64 wherein said advancing step includes positioning an operating member having a pair of opposed biopsy boxes between the 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) | 2000-09-08 | 2001-03-10 | 2001-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-08 | 2005-03-10 | 2005-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-08 | 2009-03-10 | 2009-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |