US5728121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical grasper devices
Assignee: Teleflex Inc
•
Filing: 1996-04-17
•
Granted: 1998-03-17
•
Expires: 2016-04-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a surgical grasper device that comprises a generally elongate housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end. First and second grasping elements are preferably releasably attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively. The grasping elements are positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping a targeted surface such as living tissue between the elements. A gripping material at least partially covers or is otherwise incorporated into the surface of one or both of the grasping elements. The gripping material provides enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the grasping elements in the absence of the gripping material.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank A. Bimbo
- 👤 Constantine Frantzides
- 👤 Theresa Richards
- 👤 Paul D. O'Connor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B17/2812; A61B17/282; A61B2017/2825; A61B2017/2829; A61B90/00; A61B90/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A surgical grasper device comprising: an elongate housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end; first and second grasping elements attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping of a targeted surface between the elements; and a gripping material on one or both of the grasping elements, the material providing enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the elements in the absence of the gripping material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A surgical grasper device comprising: an elongate housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end; first and second grasping elements attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping of a targeted surface between the elements; and a gripping material on one or both of the grasping elements, the material providing enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the elements in the absence of the gripping material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the grasping elements is releasably attached to the respective grasping arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the grasping element is releasably attached to the arm by a flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein at least one of the grasping arms contains an internal flange to releasably engage the respective grasping element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 4 wherein the grasping arm comprises opposed flanges within an opening of the grasping arm to releasably engage the grasping element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 5 wherein the grasping element comprises opposed recessed surfaces to receive and releasably engage the opposed flanges of the grasping arm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 2 wherein at least one of the grasping elements is releasably attached to the grasping arm by a protrusion of the grasping element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 2 wherein at least one of the grasping elements is releasably secured to the grasping arm and provides visual indication that the grasping element and arm are in a desired releasably attached arrangement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 8 wherein the grasping element and arm are releasably secured to provide a substantially smooth top surface opposite of the exposed grasping element surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 2 wherein at least one of the grasping elements is adapted to releasably attach in a single configuration to the respective grasping arm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the device is reusable for multiple surgical procedures.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the device is reusable for multiple surgical procedures and the grasping elements are permanently affixed to the grasping arms.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the device is disposed of after a single surgical procedure and the grasping elements are permanently affixed to the grasping arms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the gripping material is a separate material attached to the grasping element.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the gripping material is an integral component of the grasping element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the gripping material is formed from one or more polymers or from a sintered metal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the gripping material is hydrophobic and porous.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the gripping material has a coefficient of friction of about 0.6 or greater.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the gripping material is a porous polyvinyldiene fluoride.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the gripping material is substantially smooth.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the grasping elements are each formed from an elastomeric material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 1 wherein the grasping elements comprise radiopaque material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
A endoscopic surgical grasper device comprising: an elongate housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end; first and second grasping elements releasably attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping a targeted surface between the elements.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
A endoscopic surgical grasper device comprising: an elongate housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end; first and second grasping elements releasably attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping a targeted surface between the elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 23 wherein the grasping elements are releasably attached to the arms by a latch.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 23 wherein the gripping material is substantially smooth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical grasper device of claim 25 wherein the gripping material has a coefficient of friction of about 0.6 or greater.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
93 words
An endoscopic surgical grasper device comprising: a member having a handle member and first and second grasping arms; first and second grasping elements attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping of a targeted surface between the elements; and a gripping material on the surface of one or both of the grasping elements, the material providing enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the elements in the absence of the gripping material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
93 words
An endoscopic surgical grasper device comprising: a member having a handle member and first and second grasping arms; first and second grasping elements attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping of a targeted surface between the elements; and a gripping material on the surface of one or both of the grasping elements, the material providing enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the elements in the absence of the gripping material.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for manipulating tissue in an endoscopic surgical procedure, comprising: (a) providing an endoscopic surgical grasper device that comprises (i) a housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end; (ii) first and second grasping elements attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping of a targeted surface between the elements; and (iii) gripping element on one or both of the grasping elements, the material providing enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the elements in the absence of the gripping material; (b) in an endoscopic surgical procedure, introducing the grasper device into a patient and manipulating tissue of the patient with the grasper device.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for manipulating tissue in an endoscopic surgical procedure, comprising: (a) providing an endoscopic surgical grasper device that comprises (i) a housing member having a handle member at a proximal end and first and second grasping arms at a distal end; (ii) first and second grasping elements attached to the first and second grasping arms respectively, and positioned on the arms in an opposed facing relationship to enable grasping of a targeted surface between the elements; and (iii) gripping element on one or both of the grasping elements, the material providing enhanced holding power to the targeted surface relative to the holding power provided by the elements in the absence of the gripping material; (b) in an endoscopic surgical procedure, introducing the grasper device into a patient and manipulating tissue of the patient with the grasper device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the grasper device is introduced into a patient through a trocar.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the gripping material is substantially smooth.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the gripping material has a coefficient of friction of about 0.6 or greater.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the gripping material is a porous polymeric material or a non-woven material having a relative area surface roughness of between about 1.08 and 4.5.
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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) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |