US6004329A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shape-adjustable surgical implement handle
Assignee: Edwards Lifesciences Corp
•
Filing: 1998-02-27
•
Granted: 1999-12-21
•
Expires: 2018-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A multi-purpose surgical implement handle has proximal and distal ends. A gripping section is located toward the proximal end, and an attachment section is located toward the distal end. An adjusting section is interposed between the gripping section and the attachment section. The adjusting section may be bent by a human user at virtually any discrete location along the section. The adjusting section may include an increased-adjustability portion which is easier to bend than other portions of the adjusting section.
Inventors
- 👤 Keith Myers
- 👤 Ross Bartholomew
- 👤 Robert J. Todd
- 👤 Carl Swindle
- 👤 Charles Weyrauch
- 👤 Richard Rhee
- 👤 Jane Li
- 👤 Jerry Jackman
- 👤 Victor Packham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/24; A61F2/2427; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00946
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A handle for holding an implement, comprising: a gripping section; an attaching section to which The implement is mountable; and an adjusting section disposed between said gripping section and said attachment section, said adjusting section being bendable to allow said attachment section to be positioned with respect to said gripping section; said adjusting section including a main portion and an increased-adjustability portion, said increased-adjustability portion being more bendable than said main portion, and wherein said adjusting section is re-adjustable such that multiple bends are formable therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A handle for holding an implement, comprising: a gripping section; an attaching section to which The implement is mountable; and an adjusting section disposed between said gripping section and said attachment section, said adjusting section being bendable to allow said attachment section to be positioned with respect to said gripping section; said adjusting section including a main portion and an increased-adjustability portion, said increased-adjustability portion being more bendable than said main portion, and wherein said adjusting section is re-adjustable such that multiple bends are formable therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said adjusting section is made from malleable material; said increased-adjustability portion having a higher malleability than said main portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said increased-adjustability portion has smaller physical dimensions than said main portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A handle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said adjusting section is cylindrical; said main portion and said increased-adjustability portion each having a diameter, said diameter of said increased-adjustability portion being less than said diameter of said main portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A handle as set forth in claim 3, wherein said adjusting section is tubular; said main portion and said increased-adjustability portion each having a wall thickness, said wall thickness of said increased-adjustability portion being less than said wall thickness of said main portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said increased-adjustability portion is adjacent to said attachment section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said portions of said adjustable section is solid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said portions of said adjustable section is tubular.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said main portion and said increased-adjustability portion are substantially coaxial.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said adjusting section further includes a transition portion disposed between said main portion and said increased-adjustability portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A handle as set forth in claim 10, wherein said adjusting section is cylindrical; said main portion and said increased-adjustability portion each having a diameter, said diameter of said increased-adjustability portion being less than said diameter of said main portion; and said transition portion being conical.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A handle as set forth in claim 11, wherein said adjusting portion is unitarily solid.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said attachment section includes a securing mechanism for releasably engaging with a surgical implement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A handle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said adjusting section has a non-circular cross-section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A handle as set forth in claim 14, wherein said non-circular cross-section is more flexible about at least one bending plane at least one other bending plane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A handle as set forth in claim 15, wherein said adjusting section has an elliptical cross-section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
92 words
A handle for holding an implement, comprising: a gripping section; an attaching section to which the implement is mountable; and and adjusting section disposed between said gripping section and said attachment section, said adjusting section being bendable to allow said attachment section to be positioned with respect to said gripping section; said adjusting section including a main portion and an increased-adjustability portion, said increased-adjustability portion being more bendable than said main portion, and wherein said adjusting section further includes a transition portion disposed between said main portion and said increased adjustability portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
A handle for holding an implement, comprising: a gripping section; an attaching section to which the implement is mountable; and and adjusting section disposed between said gripping section and said attachment section, said adjusting section being bendable to allow said attachment section to be positioned with respect to said gripping section; said adjusting section including a main portion and an increased-adjustability portion, said increased-adjustability portion being more bendable than said main portion, and wherein said adjusting section further includes a transition portion disposed between said main portion and said increased adjustability portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
A handle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said adjusting section is cylindrical; said main portion and said increased-adjustability portion each having a diameter said diameter of said increased-adjustability portion being less than said diameter of said main portion; and said transition portion being conical.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A handle as set forth in claim 18, wherein said adjusting portion is unitarily solid.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A handle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said adjusting section is made from a malleable material; said increased-adjustability portion having a higher malleability than said main portion.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
A handle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said adjusting section is tubular; said main portion and said increased-adjustability portion each having a wall thickness, said wall thickness of said increased-adjustability portion being less than said wall thickness of said main portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A handle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said increased-adjustability portion is adjacent to said attachment section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A handle as set forth is claim 17, wherein at least one of said portions of said adjustable section is solid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
A handle as set forth in claim 17, wherein at least one of said portions of said adjustable section is tubular.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A handle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said main portion and said increased-adjustability portion are substantially coaxial.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A handle as set forth in claim 17, wherein said adjusting section has a non-circular cross-section.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
A handle as set forth in claim 26, wherein said non-circular cross section is more flexible about at least one bending plane than at least one other bending plane.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A handle as set forth in claim 27, wherein said adjusting section has an elliptical cross-section.
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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) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |