US5695522A
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: 1996-10-01
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Granted: 1997-12-09
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Expires: 2016-10-01
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
2026-10-30 18:37
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: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a first movable jaw member; a conduit having an inner passage extending therethrough; an actuating member slidably disposed within said conduit; a link body having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal member disposed at said distal end of said link body, which movably interconnects said link body with said first movable jaw member; a proximal interconnection element, disposed on said proximal end of said link body, which pivotably interconnects said link body with said actuating member, and transmits a first actuating force from said actuating member to said first movable jaw member; and a shoulder, extending from said link body, which engages a distal region of said actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to said actuating member in a direction opposite to that of said first actuating force to transmit said second force to said first movable jaw member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a first movable jaw member; a conduit having an inner passage extending therethrough; an actuating member slidably disposed within said conduit; a link body having a distal end and a proximal end; a distal member disposed at said distal end of said link body, which movably interconnects said link body with said first movable jaw member; a proximal interconnection element, disposed on said proximal end of said link body, which pivotably interconnects said link body with said actuating member, and transmits a first actuating force from said actuating member to said first movable jaw member; and a shoulder, extending from said link body, which engages a distal region of said actuating member when a second, greater actuating force is applied to said actuating member in a direction opposite to that of said first actuating force to transmit said second force to said first movable jaw member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 in which said shoulder is attached to said link body between said member distal and said proximal interconnection element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
141 words
The surgical instrument of claim 2 further including: a second jaw member; a second link body having a distal end and a proximal end; a second distal member disposed at said distal end of said second link body, which movably interconnects said second link body with said second jaw member; a second proximal interconnection element disposed on said proximal end of said second link body, which pivotably interconnects said second link body with said actuating member, and transmits said first actuating force from said actuating member to said second jaw member; and a second shoulder, extending from said second link body between said distal member and said proximal interconnection element, which engages a second distal region of said actuating member when said second actuating force is applied to said actuating member to transmit said second force to said second jaw member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical instrument of claim 3 in which said actuator includes two spaced distally projecting fingers for engaging said first-mentioned shoulder and said second shoulder of said first-mentioned body and second link body, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical instrument of claim 3 in which said second jaw member is stationary and is rigidly coupled to said conduit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical instrument of claim 2 further including an O-ring disposed between said actuating member and said conduit to provide a gas-tight seal within said conduit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
77 words
The surgical instrument of claim 6 further including a spacer member disposed between said O-ring and said first-mentioned link body, said spacer member including a spacer body having first and second lateral sides for slidably engaging a distal portion of said actuating member, first and second bearing surfaces disposed on upper and lower portions of said spacer body, said bearing surfaces slidably contacting said conduit to assist positioning of said actuating member relative to said outer conduit.
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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) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-06-09 | 2005-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-08 | 2009-06-09 | 2009-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |