Patent US4772946A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5741285A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5741285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Endoscopic instrument having non-bonded, non-welded rotating actuator handle and method for assembling the same
Assignee: Boston Scientific Miami Corp
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Filing: 1996-06-21
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Granted: 1998-04-21
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Expires: 2016-06-21
Abstract
Abstract An actuator for an endoscopic instrument includes a handle having a through bore with a distal keyway and a lever which is pivotally coupled to the handle. A proximal tube sleeve is insert molded or press fit to the proximal end of the instrument tube. The tube sleeve has a pair of ramped thread-like projections and a pair of distally facing wedge-like projections all of which pass through the keyway in the handle. A proximal stop ring on the tube sleeve prevents the tube sleeve from passing completely through the handle. A ferrule having a pair of interior threadlike projections threadably engages the tube sleeve and is frictionally engaged by the wedge-like projections. A ferrule locking cap having a proximal inner groove and a distal flange fits in the annular space between the tube sleeve and the ferrule. The proximal groove engages a locking ring on the tube sleeve and splines on the tube sleeve and the ferrule frictionally engage the cap. The tube sleeve and the ferrule engage the cap with some friction so that the tube may be rotated relative to the handle but will not rotate relative to the ferrule.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Sean McBrayer
- 👤 Charles R. Slater
- 👤 Juergen Andrew Kortenbach
- 👤 Saul Gottlieb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1445; A61B18/1402; A61B18/18; A61B18/1815; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/0088; A61B2017/2901; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2931; A61B2017/2932; A61B2017/2933; A61B2017/2934; A61B2017/2939; A61B2017/2945; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00071; A61B2018/00083; A61B2018/00107; A61B18/1206; A61B2018/1246; A61B2018/126; A61B2018/1405; A61B2018/1412; A61B2018/1425; A61B2018/1432; A61B2018/146; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0813; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
An actuator for an endoscopic instrument where the endoscopic instrument has a hollow tube with proximal and distal ends, a push rod with proximal and distal ends and extending through the hollow tube, and at least one end effector mounted for rotation at the distal end of the tube and coupled to the distal end of the push rod, said actuator comprising: a) a handle having a through bore and a distal keyway, said keyway having a substantially circular central portion and at least one radially extending slot; b) a tube sleeve which is adapted to be one of insert molded and press fit to the proximal end of the hollow tube, said tube sleeve having a proximal stop ring, a locking key, and a threading key; c) a ferrule having a through bore and an interior threading member; and d) a lever pivotally coupled to said handle and adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the push rod, wherein said tube sleeve extends through said keyway and is prevented from passing through said keyway by said proximal stop ring, said at least one radially extending slot allows passage of said locking key and threading key through said keyway, said interior threading member of said ferrule engages said threading key on said tube sleeve and is frictionally engaged by said locking key.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
An actuator for an endoscopic instrument where the endoscopic instrument has a hollow tube with proximal and distal ends, a push rod with proximal and distal ends and extending through the hollow tube, and at least one end effector mounted for rotation at the distal end of the tube and coupled to the distal end of the push rod, said actuator comprising: a) a handle having a through bore and a distal keyway, said keyway having a substantially circular central portion and at least one radially extending slot; b) a tube sleeve which is adapted to be one of insert molded and press fit to the proximal end of the hollow tube, said tube sleeve having a proximal stop ring, a locking key, and a threading key; c) a ferrule having a through bore and an interior threading member; and d) a lever pivotally coupled to said handle and adapted to be coupled to the proximal end of the push rod, wherein said tube sleeve extends through said keyway and is prevented from passing through said keyway by said proximal stop ring, said at least one radially extending slot allows passage of said locking key and threading key through said keyway, said interior threading member of said ferrule engages said threading key on said tube sleeve and is frictionally engaged by said locking key.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein: said locking key comprises a pair of radial extensions each having a distally facing frictional surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An actuator according to claim 2, wherein: said threading key comprises a pair of radial extensions each having a proximally facing inclined surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An actuator according to claim 3, wherein: said interior threading member comprises a pair of radially inward projections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An actuator according to claim 1, further comprising: e) a ferrule locking cap having a through bore, a proximal inner groove, and a distal flange, wherein said tube sleeve has an annular ring distal of said threading key, said ferrule locking cap fits in an annular space between said tube sleeve and said ferrule, and said proximal inner groove engages said annular ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
An actuator according to claim 5, wherein: said tube sleeve has a plurality of exterior splines distal of said annular ring, said ferrule has a plurality of internal splines distal of said interior threading member, and said ferrule locking cap is frictionally engaged by said interior splines and said exterior splines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein: said ferrule has a ribbed outer surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
An actuator according to claim 1, wherein: said lever has an upper U-shaped opening transected by a bore for engaging the proximal end of the push rod.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
An actuator according to claim 8, further comprising: e) a first L-shaped member having a first arm and a first circular base insertable in said bore in said lever for engaging a groove in the proximal end of the push rod with said first arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
An actuator according to claim 9, further comprising: f) a second L-shaped member having a second arm and a second circular base insertable in said bore in said lever for engaging a groove in the proximal end of the push rod with said second arm, said first and second L-shaped members each having an arm receiving notch in respective first and second circular bases.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
An actuator according to claim 1, further comprising: e) a ferrule locking cap having a through bore, wherein said ferrule locking cap is force fitted into an annular space between said tube sleeve and said ferrule.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
214 words
An endoscopic instrument, comprising: a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end; b) a push rod having a proximal and a distal end and extending through said hollow tube; c) at least one end effector mounted for rotation at said distal end of said tube and coupled to said distal end of said push rod; d) a handle having a through bore and a distal keyway, said keyway having a substantially circular central portion and at least one radially extending slot; e) a tube sleeve which is one of insert molded and press fit to said proximal end of said hollow tube, said tube sleeve having a proximal stop ring, a locking key, and a threading key; f) a ferrule having a through bore and an interior threading member; and g) a lever pivotally coupled to said handle and coupled to said proximal end of said push rod, wherein said tube sleeve extends through said keyway and is prevented from passing through said keyway by said proximal stop ring, said at least one radially extending slot allows passage of said locking key and threading key through said keyway, said interior threading member of said ferrule engages said threading key on said tube sleeve and is frictionally engaged by said locking key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
214 words
An endoscopic instrument, comprising: a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end; b) a push rod having a proximal and a distal end and extending through said hollow tube; c) at least one end effector mounted for rotation at said distal end of said tube and coupled to said distal end of said push rod; d) a handle having a through bore and a distal keyway, said keyway having a substantially circular central portion and at least one radially extending slot; e) a tube sleeve which is one of insert molded and press fit to said proximal end of said hollow tube, said tube sleeve having a proximal stop ring, a locking key, and a threading key; f) a ferrule having a through bore and an interior threading member; and g) a lever pivotally coupled to said handle and coupled to said proximal end of said push rod, wherein said tube sleeve extends through said keyway and is prevented from passing through said keyway by said proximal stop ring, said at least one radially extending slot allows passage of said locking key and threading key through said keyway, said interior threading member of said ferrule engages said threading key on said tube sleeve and is frictionally engaged by said locking key.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 12, further comprising: h) a ferrule locking cap having a through bore, wherein said ferrule locking cap force fits in an annular space between said tube sleeve and said ferrule.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 13, wherein: said ferrule locking cap has a proximal inner groove, and a distal flange, said tube sleeve has an annular ring distal of said threading key, and said proximal inner groove engages said annular ring.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
277 words
A method for assembling an actuator for an endoscopic instrument where the endoscopic instrument has a hollow tube with proximal and distal ends, a push rod with proximal and distal ends and extending through the hollow tube, and at least one end effector mounted for rotation at the distal end of the tube and coupled to the distal end of the push rod, said method comprising: a) obtaining a handle having a through bore and a distal keyway, said keyway having a substantially circular central portion and at least one radially extending slot; b) obtaining a tube sleeve having a proximal stop surface, a locking key, and a threading key; c) coupling said tube sleeve to the proximal end of the hollow tube by one of insert molding and press fitting; d) obtaining a lever with means for coupling to the push rod and means for coupling to said handle; e) coupling said lever to the proximal end of the push rod; f) inserting the hollow tube through said through bore in said handle so that said tube sleeve extends through said keyway but is prevented from passing through said keyway by said proximal stop surface, said at least one radially extending slot allowing passage of said locking key and threading key through said keyway; g) pivotally coupling said lever to said handle; h) obtaining a ferrule having a through bore and an interior threading member; and i) sliding said ferrule over the distal end of said tube and threading said interior threading member of said ferrule on to said threading key of said tube sleeve until said threading member is frictionally engaged by said locking key.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
277 words
A method for assembling an actuator for an endoscopic instrument where the endoscopic instrument has a hollow tube with proximal and distal ends, a push rod with proximal and distal ends and extending through the hollow tube, and at least one end effector mounted for rotation at the distal end of the tube and coupled to the distal end of the push rod, said method comprising: a) obtaining a handle having a through bore and a distal keyway, said keyway having a substantially circular central portion and at least one radially extending slot; b) obtaining a tube sleeve having a proximal stop surface, a locking key, and a threading key; c) coupling said tube sleeve to the proximal end of the hollow tube by one of insert molding and press fitting; d) obtaining a lever with means for coupling to the push rod and means for coupling to said handle; e) coupling said lever to the proximal end of the push rod; f) inserting the hollow tube through said through bore in said handle so that said tube sleeve extends through said keyway but is prevented from passing through said keyway by said proximal stop surface, said at least one radially extending slot allowing passage of said locking key and threading key through said keyway; g) pivotally coupling said lever to said handle; h) obtaining a ferrule having a through bore and an interior threading member; and i) sliding said ferrule over the distal end of said tube and threading said interior threading member of said ferrule on to said threading key of said tube sleeve until said threading member is frictionally engaged by said locking key.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 15, further comprising: j) obtaining a ferrule locking cap; and k) sliding said ferrule locking cap over the distal end of the tube and force fitting said ferrule locking cap into an annular space between said ferrule and at least one of said tube sleeve and the hollow tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
253 words
An endoscopic instrument, comprising: a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end; b) a push rod having a proximal and a distal end and extending through said hollow tube; c) at least one end effector mounted for rotation at said distal end of said tube and coupled to said distal end of said push rod; d) a handle having a through bore with a reduced diameter distal end; e) a tube sleeve which is fixed to said proximal end of said hollow tube, said tube sleeve having a proximal stop surface and a distal exterior frictional engagement member; f) a ferrule having a through bore and an interior frictional engagement member; and g) a lever pivotally coupled to said handle and coupled to said proximal end of said push rod, wherein said tube sleeve extends through said through bore and is prevented from passing entirely through said through bore by said proximal stop ring surface, said interior frictional engagement member of said ferrule frictionally engages said distal exterior frictional engagement member, one of said interior frictional engagement member of said ferrule and said exterior frictional engagement member of said tube sleeve having a locking structure which engages the other of said interior frictional engagement member of said ferrule and said exterior frictional engagement member of said tube sleeve and prevents rotational movement of said ferrule relative to said tube sleeve, such that rotation of said ferrule causes rotation of said tube sleeve and said hollow tube relative to said handle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
253 words
An endoscopic instrument, comprising: a) a hollow tube having a proximal and a distal end; b) a push rod having a proximal and a distal end and extending through said hollow tube; c) at least one end effector mounted for rotation at said distal end of said tube and coupled to said distal end of said push rod; d) a handle having a through bore with a reduced diameter distal end; e) a tube sleeve which is fixed to said proximal end of said hollow tube, said tube sleeve having a proximal stop surface and a distal exterior frictional engagement member; f) a ferrule having a through bore and an interior frictional engagement member; and g) a lever pivotally coupled to said handle and coupled to said proximal end of said push rod, wherein said tube sleeve extends through said through bore and is prevented from passing entirely through said through bore by said proximal stop ring surface, said interior frictional engagement member of said ferrule frictionally engages said distal exterior frictional engagement member, one of said interior frictional engagement member of said ferrule and said exterior frictional engagement member of said tube sleeve having a locking structure which engages the other of said interior frictional engagement member of said ferrule and said exterior frictional engagement member of said tube sleeve and prevents rotational movement of said ferrule relative to said tube sleeve, such that rotation of said ferrule causes rotation of said tube sleeve and said hollow tube relative to said handle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
53 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 17, wherein: one of said distal exterior frictional engagement member and said interior frictional engagement member includes at least two longitudinally spaced apart non-contiguous radial surface projections, and the other of said distal exterior frictional engagement member and said interior frictional engagement member includes a threading member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 18, wherein: said at least two longitudinally spaced apart radial surface projections includes a locking key and a threading key.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
46 words
An endoscopic instrument according to claim 19, wherein: said at least two longitudinally spaced apart radial surface projections includes a pair of diametrically opposed locking keys and a pair of diametrically opposed threading keys, and said interior threading member includes two diametrically opposed interior threading members.
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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) | 2001-04-20 | 2001-10-20 | 2002-04-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-04-20 | 2005-10-20 | 2006-04-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-04-20 | 2009-10-20 | 2010-04-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |