Patent US6340351B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6340351B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connector for a replaceable biopsy needle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-09-16
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Granted: 2002-01-22
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Expires: 2018-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A connector assembly is disclosed for connecting the proximal end of a medical device to a handle without comprising the sterility of the working end of the medical device. The connector assembly comprises a body that is rigidly attached to the proximal end of the medical device. A lever is attached to the body, and is resiliently biased towards a first position which engages the handle. A lock tab projects from the lever in a direction away from the body and is shaped to be received in a lock slot within the handle.
Inventors
- 👤 Alec Goldenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 16:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B10/00; A61B10/02; A61B10/0233; A61B10/025; A61B10/0266; A61B17/00; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00477; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An assembly for connecting the proximal end of a medical device to a handle, comprising: a body rigidly attached to the proximal end of the medical device; a handle having an aperture which is sized to receive the body; means associated with the body and with the handle for snap-lock engaging the body and handle together and for selectively disengaging the body and handle; and a lever extending from the snap-lock engaging means, the lever being manually movable to a position which permits disengagement of the body and the handle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An assembly for connecting the proximal end of a medical device to a handle, comprising: a body rigidly attached to the proximal end of the medical device; a handle having an aperture which is sized to receive the body; means associated with the body and with the handle for snap-lock engaging the body and handle together and for selectively disengaging the body and handle; and a lever extending from the snap-lock engaging means, the lever being manually movable to a position which permits disengagement of the body and the handle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the body has an axis and wherein the body has an aperture in the direction of the axis which is seized to receive the proximal end of the medical device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the aperture of the body has a plurality of protuberances that frictionally engage the proximal end of the medical device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the body and the aperture have matching asymmetric shapes which require a predetermined orientation for engagement thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly as in claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a hollow needle having a distal tip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly as in claim 5 , further comprising a tube movably disposed within the needle, the tube having a proximal end shaped to be operably engaged by the handle mechanism upon insertion of the body into the handle mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly as in claim 5 , further comprising a stylet axially movably disposed within the hollow needle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The assembly as in claim 7 , wherein the stylet has a key-shaped proximal end which is irrotatably engaged to the handle mechanism upon insertion of the body into the handle mechanism.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as in claim 1 , wherein the lever extends exteriorly of the body and the handle for manual use.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
The assembly as in claim 1 , wherein a lock-tab projects from the lever away from the body and the handle receives the body at the proximal end of the medical device; the handle having a lock-slot positioned within the aperture to receive the lock-tab, wherein the lever cams toward the body during insertion of the body into the aperture and resiliently moves when the lock-tab is received in the lock-slot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly as in claim 10 , wherein the aperture has a corresponding asymmetric shape relative to the axis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The needle as in claim 10 , further comprising a stylet axially movably disposed relative to the hollow of the needle and, wherein the stylet has a key-shaped proximal end which is irrotatably engaged by the handle mechanism upon insertion of the body into the handle mechanism.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5843001A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-01-21 | 2005-07-23 | 2006-01-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-01-21 | 2009-07-23 | 2010-01-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-01-21 | 2013-07-23 | 2014-01-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |