Surgical instrument with rotatable shaft

Claim 2

A surgical instrument, comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly comprising a thumb ring and two finger rings which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other.

Claim 3

A surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein: said handle assembly includes means for applying a cautery current to said flexible shaft.

Claim 4

A surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein: said handle assembly includes a first member and a second member axially movable relative to said first member, said first member being coupled to said sheath, and said second member being coupled to said flexible shaft.

Claim 5

A surgical instrument according to claim 3 , further comprising: d) a second shaft relatively stiffer than said flexible shaft, said second shaft having a proximal end coupled to said second member and a distal end coupled to said flexible shaft.

Claim 6

A surgical instrument according to claim 4 , further comprising: e) a relatively stiff sleeve provided over said proximal end of said sheath.

Claim 7

A surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein: said sheath is rotatably coupled to said first member of said handle assembly.

Claim 8

A surgical instrument according to claim 6 , wherein: said sheath is provided with a means for manually assisting rotation of said sheath relative to said flexible shaft.

Claim 9

A surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein: said handle assembly includes a first member, a second member coupled to said proximal end of said flexible shaft and axially movable relative to said first member, and a third member coupled to said proximal end of said sheath, said first and second members being rotationally movable relative to said third member.

Claim 10

A surgical instrument according to claim 8 , wherein: said third member has a means for applying a cautery current to said flexible shaft.

Claim 11

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other; wherein: said flexible shaft is constructed so that when said proximal end of said flexible shaft is rotated a first degree relative to said proximal end of said sheath, said snare loop at said distal end of said flexible shaft is rotated approximately said first degree relative to said distal end of said sheath.

Claim 12

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other; wherein: said flexible shaft is constructed so that when said proximal end of said flexible shaft is rotated a first degree relative to said proximal end of said sheath, said snare loop at said distal end of said flexible shaft is rotated approximately said first degree relative to said distal end of said sheath.

Claim 13

The instrument of claim 10 , wherein said handle assembly is adaptable for being operated single-handedly.

Claim 14

The instrument of claim 10 , wherein said handle assembly is adaptable for being operated with more than one hand.

Claim 15

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other; wherein: said flexible shaft is constructed of a resilient material having the torqueability of a multifilament twisted and drawn or twisted and swaged or twisted and rolled cable.

Claim 16

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other; wherein: said flexible shaft is constructed of a resilient material having the torqueability of a multifilament twisted and drawn or twisted and swaged or twisted and rolled cable.

Claim 17

A surgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein: said multifilament twisted and drawn or swaged cable includes at least one of a steel filament and a nickel-titanium alloy filament.

Claim 18

The instrument of claim 13 , wherein said handle assembly is adaptable for being operated single-handedly.

Claim 19

The instrument of claim 13 , wherein said handle assembly is adaptable for being operated with more than one hand.

Claim 20

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an enlongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other; wherein: said handle assembly includes a first member and a second member axially relative to said first member, said second member being coupled to said sheath, and said second member being coupled to said flexible shaft; and further comprising: d) a second shaft relatively stiffer than said flexible shaft, said second shaft having a proximal end coupled to said second member and a distal end coupled to said flexible shaft; wherein: said second shaft is provided with a pinion, and second member of said handle assembly is provided with a rack which engages said pinion, said second member being movable relative to said second shaft, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said second shaft, said rack causes rotation of said pinion and said flexible shaft.

Claim 21

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an enlongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other; wherein: said handle assembly includes a first member and a second member axially relative to said first member, said second member being coupled to said sheath, and said second member being coupled to said flexible shaft; and further comprising: d) a second shaft relatively stiffer than said flexible shaft, said second shaft having a proximal end coupled to said second member and a distal end coupled to said flexible shaft; wherein: said second shaft is provided with a pinion, and second member of said handle assembly is provided with a rack which engages said pinion, said second member being movable relative to said second shaft, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said second shaft, said rack causes rotation of said pinion and said flexible shaft.

Claim 22

A surgical instrument according to claim 17 , wherein: said second member is pivotably movable relative to said second shaft.

Claim 23

A surgical instrument according to claim 17 , wherein: said second member is pivotably movable relative to said second shaft.

Claim 24

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other; wherein: said handle assembly includes a first member and a second member axially relative to said first member, said first member being coupled to said sheath, and said second member coupled to said flexible shaft; and futher comprising: d) a second shaft relatively stiffer than said flexible shaft, said second shaft having a proximal end coupled to said second member and a distal and coupled to said flexible shaft; wherein: said second shaft is provided with a roller, and second member of said handle assembly is provided with a surface which frictionally engages said roller, said second member being movable relative to said second shaft, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said second shaft, movement of said surface relative to said roller causes rotation of said roller and said flexible shaft.

Claim 25

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said sheath, with a snare loop being provided at said distal end of said flexible shaft; and c) a handle assembly which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other; wherein: said handle assembly includes a first member and a second member axially relative to said first member, said first member being coupled to said sheath, and said second member coupled to said flexible shaft; and futher comprising: d) a second shaft relatively stiffer than said flexible shaft, said second shaft having a proximal end coupled to said second member and a distal and coupled to said flexible shaft; wherein: said second shaft is provided with a roller, and second member of said handle assembly is provided with a surface which frictionally engages said roller, said second member being movable relative to said second shaft, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said second shaft, movement of said surface relative to said roller causes rotation of said roller and said flexible shaft.

Claim 26

A surgical instrument, comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially movable relative to said sheath, a surgical assembly being provided at said distal end of said shaft; and c) a handle assembly for controllably moving said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other, wherein said flexible shaft is constructed so that when said proximal end of said flexible shaft is rotated a first degree relative to said proximal end of said sheath, said surgical assembly at said distal end of said flexible shaft is rotated approximately said first degree relative to said distal end of said sheath.

Claim 27

A surgical instrument, comprising: a) an elongated flexible tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a flexible shaft having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially movable relative to said sheath, a surgical assembly being provided at said distal end of said shaft; and c) a handle assembly for controllably moving said shaft and said sheath axially and rotationally relative to each other, wherein said flexible shaft is constructed so that when said proximal end of said flexible shaft is rotated a first degree relative to said proximal end of said sheath, said surgical assembly at said distal end of said flexible shaft is rotated approximately said first degree relative to said distal end of said sheath.

Claim 28

A surgical instrument according to claim 21 , wherein: said handle assembly includes means for applying a cautery current to said flexible shaft.

Claim 29

A surgical instrument according to claim 21 , further comprising: d) a second shaft relatively stiffer than said flexible shaft, said second shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and being provided with a pinion, said handle assembly including a first member and a second member axially movable relative to said first member, said second member being provided with a rack which engages said pinion of said second shaft and said second member being movable relative to said second shaft, said first member being coupled to said sheath, said second member being coupled to said proximal end of said second shaft, and said proximal end of said flexible shaft being coupled to said distal end of said second shaft, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said second shaft, said rack causes rotation of said pinion and said flexible shaft.

Claim 30

A surgical instrument according to claim 23 , wherein: said second member is pivotably movable relative to said second shaft.

Claim 31

The instrument of claim 21 , wherein said handle assembly is adaptable for being operated single-handedly.

Claim 32

The instrument of claim 21 , wherein said handle assembly is adaptable for being operated with more than one hand.

Claim 33

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an enlongated tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a shaft made of resilient material having the torqueability of a multifilament twisted and drawn or twisted and swaged or twisted and rolled cable having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially movable relative to said sheath, a surgical assembly being provided at said distal end of said shaft; and c) a handle assembly coupled to said shaft and said sheath and which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially relative to each other.

Claim 34

A surgical instrument comprising: a) an enlongated tubular sheath having proximal and distal ends; b) a shaft made of resilient material having the torqueability of a multifilament twisted and drawn or twisted and swaged or twisted and rolled cable having proximal and distal ends extending through and axially movable relative to said sheath, a surgical assembly being provided at said distal end of said shaft; and c) a handle assembly coupled to said shaft and said sheath and which is adapted to move said shaft and said sheath axially relative to each other.

Claim 35

A surgical instrument according to claim 27 , wherein: said handle assembly includes means for moving said shaft and sheath rotationally relative to each other.

Claim 36

A surgical instrument according to claim 27 , wherein: said multifilament twisted and drawn or swaged cable shaft includes at least one of a stainless steel filament and a nickel-titanium alloy filament.

Claim 37

A surgical instrument according to claim 27 , wherein: said handle assembly means includes means for applying a cautery current to said flexible shaft.

Claim 38

The instrument of claim 27 , wherein said handle assembly is adaptable for being operated single-handedly.

Claim 39

The instrument of claim 27 , wherein said handle assembly is adaptable for being operated with more than one hand.

Claim 40

A surgical instrument, comprising: a) an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal ends; b) an elongated control member extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said tubular member, a surgical assembly being provided at said distal end of said control member and a pinion being provided at or adjacent said proximal end; and c) a handle assembly including a first member and a second member axially movable relative to said first member, said second member being provided with a rack which engages said pinion of said control member and said second member being movable relative to said control member, said first member being coupled to said tubular member and said second member being coupled to said proximal end of said control member, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said control member, said rack causes rotation of said pinion and said control member.

Claim 41

A surgical instrument, comprising: a) an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal ends; b) an elongated control member extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said tubular member, a surgical assembly being provided at said distal end of said control member and a pinion being provided at or adjacent said proximal end; and c) a handle assembly including a first member and a second member axially movable relative to said first member, said second member being provided with a rack which engages said pinion of said control member and said second member being movable relative to said control member, said first member being coupled to said tubular member and said second member being coupled to said proximal end of said control member, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said control member, said rack causes rotation of said pinion and said control member.

Claim 42

A surgical instrument according to claim 33 , wherein: said second member is pivotably movable relative to said control member.

Claim 43

A surgical instrument, comprising: a) an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal ends; b) an elongated control member extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said tubular member, a surgical assembly being provided at said distal end of said control member and a roller being provided at or adjacent said proximal end of said control member; and c) a handle assembly including a first member and a second member axially movable relative to said first member, said second member being provided with a surface which frictionally engages said roller of said control member and said second member being movable relative to said control member, said first member being coupled to said tubular member and said second member being coupled to said proximal end of said control member, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said control member, said surface moves relative to said roller and causes rotation of said roller and said control member.

Claim 44

A surgical instrument, comprising: a) an elongated tubular member having proximal and distal ends; b) an elongated control member extending through and axially and rotationally movable relative to said tubular member, a surgical assembly being provided at said distal end of said control member and a roller being provided at or adjacent said proximal end of said control member; and c) a handle assembly including a first member and a second member axially movable relative to said first member, said second member being provided with a surface which frictionally engages said roller of said control member and said second member being movable relative to said control member, said first member being coupled to said tubular member and said second member being coupled to said proximal end of said control member, wherein when said second member is moved relative to said control member, said surface moves relative to said roller and causes rotation of said roller and said control member.

Claim 45

A surgical instrument according to claim 35 , wherein: said second member is pivotably movable relative to said control member.