US5669875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic surgical apparatus with longitudinal actuation
Assignee: United States Surgical Corp
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Filing: 1996-04-16
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2016-04-16
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgery includes an actuator slidably attached to the non-endoscopic housing, the actuator being movable between a distal position and a proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the instrument in response to user applied pressure.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicole van Eerdenburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61M; A61M3/00; A61M3/02; A61M3/0279; A61B17/32; A61B17/3201; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1482; A61B2017/2946; A61M1/00; A61M1/84
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgery, which comprises a) an endoscopic portion including an elongated tubular member defining a longitudinal axis, and an operating portion positioned at the distal end thereof, and b) a non-endoscopic portion having a housing and at least one actuator slidably attached to said housing, said actuator being movable between a distal position and a proximal position along said longitudinal axis in response to user applied pressure, and said actuator having a relatively wide diameter proximal portion with a distal facing surface for contact with a user's finger, and a relatively narrow middle portion into which the user's finger is received.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgery, which comprises a) an endoscopic portion including an elongated tubular member defining a longitudinal axis, and an operating portion positioned at the distal end thereof, and b) a non-endoscopic portion having a housing and at least one actuator slidably attached to said housing, said actuator being movable between a distal position and a proximal position along said longitudinal axis in response to user applied pressure, and said actuator having a relatively wide diameter proximal portion with a distal facing surface for contact with a user's finger, and a relatively narrow middle portion into which the user's finger is received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator is resiliently biased to said distal position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator has an axial bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said elongated tubular member of said endoscopic portion is disposed through said actuator bore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator presents a surface for actuation by the forefinger and middle finger of a user's hand.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgery which comprises: a) an endoscopic portion including an elongated tubular member defining a longitudinal axis, and an operating portion positioned at the distal end thereof, and b) a non-endoscopic portion having a housing and at least once actuator slidably attached to said housing, said actuator being movable between a distal position and a proximal position along said longitudinal axis in response to user applied pressure, wherein said actuator presents a surface for actuation by the forefinger and middle finger of a user's hand, and wherein said actuator is generally hourglass shaped.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for use in minimally invasive surgery which comprises: a) an endoscopic portion including an elongated tubular member defining a longitudinal axis, and an operating portion positioned at the distal end thereof, and b) a non-endoscopic portion having a housing and at least once actuator slidably attached to said housing, said actuator being movable between a distal position and a proximal position along said longitudinal axis in response to user applied pressure, wherein said actuator presents a surface for actuation by the forefinger and middle finger of a user's hand, and wherein said actuator is generally hourglass shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said operating portion comprises a mechanism selected from the group consisting of graspers, scissors, forceps, clip appliers, staple appliers, tissue cutters, and retractors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said actuator is rotatable.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said endoscopic portion includes a drive rod operatively connected to said actuator and said operating portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising: a release trigger movable between an initial position and a release position; and a rocker arm connected to said actuator and movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of said actuator from said distal position to said proximal position, said rocker arm engaging said release trigger when said rocker arm is in said second position and said release arm is in said initial position, said rocker arm being disengaged from said release trigger in response to movement of said release trigger to said release position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said release trigger is resiliently biased to said initial position and movable to said release position in response to user applied force.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said release trigger includes a resilient projection integrally fabricated therewith for providing a resilient biasing force.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said rocker arm and said release trigger are pivotally mounted to said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further including a cauterization electrode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 14 further including an irrigation tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 15 further including a clamp for closing said irrigation tube, said clamp being movable between a first position in which said irrigation tube is closed and a second position wherein said irrigation tube is open, said clamp being resiliently biased to said first position and movable to said second position in response to movement of said actuator from said distal position to said proximal position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing has a bulbous portion configured and dimensioned to fit within the palm of a human hand.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said housing includes an incurvate portion adapted to engage the crook of a human hand between the thumb and the forefinger.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said housing includes a pinky support.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 19 further including a release trigger pivotally movable between an initial position and a release position, wherein said actuator is generally hourglass shaped and rotatable with respect to said housing.
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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) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |