US5925064A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fingertip-mounted minimally invasive surgical instruments and methods of use
Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc
•
Filing: 1996-12-31
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Granted: 1999-07-20
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Expires: 2016-12-31
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a series of minimally invasive, miniature surgical instruments mounted directly on a surgeon's fingertips in a way that the surgeon can insert his or her hand into a patient through a minimal incision to perform surgical procedures, and also to use his or her fingers to manipulate tissues. The invention enables the surgeon to perform the procedures with all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery, but with much greater tactile sense, control, and ease of manipulation, than enabled by known minimally invasive surgical instruments.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Meyers
- 👤 Steven Ek
- 👤 Javier Verdura
- 👤 Maureen E. Carroll
- 👤 Kirk W. Charles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3201; A61B17/04; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B17/12; A61B17/128; A61B17/28; A61B17/2812; A61B17/320016; A61B17/29; A61B17/2909; A61B17/30; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00238; A61B2017/00265; A61B2017/00367; A61B2017/0042; A61B2017/00438; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00464; A61B2017/320044; A61B90/00; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0817; A61B90/30; A61B90/36; A61B90/361
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A fingertip-mounted minimally invasive surgical instrument comprising, a mount for securing the instrument to a fingertip; a retracting/deploying mechanism operably connected to the mount; and a tool connected to the retracting/deploying mechanism, wherein the retracting/deploying mechanism is arranged to permit the tool to be moved into a retracted position relative to the mount to expose the fingertip, and into a deployed position relative to the mount for use of the tool.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A fingertip-mounted minimally invasive surgical instrument comprising, a mount for securing the instrument to a fingertip; a retracting/deploying mechanism operably connected to the mount; and a tool connected to the retracting/deploying mechanism, wherein the retracting/deploying mechanism is arranged to permit the tool to be moved into a retracted position relative to the mount to expose the fingertip, and into a deployed position relative to the mount for use of the tool.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument of claim 1, wherein the mount is a harness that is permanently connected to the retracting/deploying mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instrument of claim 1, wherein the mount is a holder and is operably connected to the retracting/deploying mechanism by being attached temporarily to a tool cartridge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument of claim 2, further comprising an attachment mechanism that rotatably connects the harness to the retracting/deploying mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An instrument of claim 4, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises an attachment stud and a compression member arranged to secure the retracting/deploying mechanism to the harness and to enable the retracting/deploying mechanism to rotate from a deployed position to a retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An instrument of claim 5, wherein the harness comprises a convex outer surface that mates with a concave surface of the retracting/deploying mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument of claim 1, wherein the tool comprises a stationary jaw connected to the retracting/deploying mechanism, and a moving jaw rigidly fixed to an actuator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument of claim 7, wherein the actuator has a curved cross-section, and is curved along its longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An instrument of claim 7, further comprising a spring arranged to bias the moving jaw in an open position with respect to the stationary jaw.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
An instrument of claim 7, wherein a portion of the retracting/deploying mechanism is hollowed out to house the actuator when the tool is in a closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An instrument of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises openings for insertion of a strap to secure the mount to a finger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An instrument of claim 1, wherein said tool is a grasper, scissors, a scalpel, a clip applier, a needle holder, a camera, or an electrocautery blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fingertip-mounted minimally invasive surgical instrument assembly comprising, a tool cartridge holder for securing the instrument to a fingertip, and an elongate tool cartridge comprising a frame and a tool connected to a distal end of the frame, wherein the frame is configured to be movably attached to the holder, and the frame and holder are configured such that the frame and the attached tool can move between a retracted position and a deployed position relative to the holder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
79 words
A fingertip-mounted minimally invasive surgical instrument assembly comprising, a tool cartridge holder for securing the instrument to a fingertip, and an elongate tool cartridge comprising a frame and a tool connected to a distal end of the frame, wherein the frame is configured to be movably attached to the holder, and the frame and holder are configured such that the frame and the attached tool can move between a retracted position and a deployed position relative to the holder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
63 words
An assembly of claim 13, wherein the holder comprises a hollow, cylindrical housing and the tool cartridge is attached to the holder by being inserted into the housing, and wherein the tool is sheathed within the housing when the tool cartridge is moved into a retracted position, and extends outside of the housing when the tool cartridge is moved into a deployed position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly of claim 13, wherein the holder comprises a detent that engages a first notch on the tool cartridge frame to provide a locked, deployed position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
An assembly of claim 15, wherein the tool cartridge frame further comprises a second notch, and wherein the detent engages the second notch to provide a locked, retracted position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly of claim 13, wherein the tool cartiridge comprises a stationary jaw, and a moving jaw connected to an actuator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly of claim 13, wherein the tool is a grasper, scissors, a scalpel, a clip applier, a needle holder, a camera, or an electrocautery blade.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly of claim 13, wherein the holder comprises stops at distal and proximal ends of the holder to temporarily prevent the tool cartridge from being removed from the holder absent manipulation by the surgeon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
An assembly of claim 13, wherein the tool cartridge further comprises a retracting/deploying mechanism, and the holder comprises an opening to provide access to the retracting/deploying mechanism.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
An instrument of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises an adhesive band to secure the mount to a fingertip.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly of claim 13, wherein the holder comprises an adhesive band to secure the holder to a fingertip.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly of claim 13, further comprising an extractor tool configured to engage an extractor interface on a proximal end of the tool cartridge frame.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
An assembly of claim 23, further comprising a protective sleeve, said sleeve comprising an elongate, hollow cylinder configured to contact the holder and allow the tool cartridge to be removed with the extractor tool through the lumen of the sleeve.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method of performing a minimally invasive surgical procedure in a patient, said method comprising, creating in the patient an incision sized to fit a hand; securing an instrument of claim 1 to a fingertip of the hand; inserting the hand including the instrument into the patient; and performing the surgical procedure using the instrument.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of claim 25, further comprising securing an additional instrument onto another of the fingers prior to inserting the hand into the patient.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of claim 25, wherein the tool of the instrument is moved into a deployed position prior to performing the surgical procedure, and into a retracted position after performing the surgical procedure, without removing the hand from within the patient.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of claim 25, wherein the tool of the instrument is moved into a retracted position to enable the finger to be used to manipulate tissue in the patient, without removing the hand from within the patient.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
An instrument of claim 1, further comprising fittings to attach fluid aspiration or irrigation conduits to the mount.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
An instrument of claim 1, further comprising fittings to attach electrical wiring to provide the instrument with an electrocautery capability.
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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) | 2002-07-19 | 2003-01-18 | 2003-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-19 | 2007-01-18 | 2007-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-19 | 2011-01-18 | 2011-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |