Patent US6454782B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6454782B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Actuation mechanism for surgical instruments
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
•
Filing: 1999-12-16
•
Granted: 2002-09-24
•
Expires: 2019-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved articulation mechanism is described in conjunction with a therapeutic ultrasound instrument. Ultrasonic vibrations, when transmitted to organic tissue at suitable energy levels and using a suitable end-effector, may be used for the safe and effective treatment of many medical conditions. The mechanism includes an actuating arm with a collar operatively connected to the actuating arm. The collar converts rotation of the actuating arm into a plurality of actuations of the surgical instrument. In one embodiment the collar includes two ranges of motion, where the first range is used to articulate the surgical instrument, and the second range is used to actuate the surgical instrument. Such instruments are particularly suited for use in minimally invasive procedures, such as endoscopic or laparoscopic procedures.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard F. Schwemberger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:01
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B17/320016; A61B17/3201; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2017/320071; A61B2017/320088; A61B2017/320089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A surgical instrument having an end-effector and an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprising: an actuating arm having a distal end and a proximal end; and a collar operatively connected to the end-effector and operatively connected to the distal end of the actuating arm; wherein said collar converts rotation of the actuating arm into a plurality of actuations of the end-effector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A surgical instrument having an end-effector and an actuation mechanism, the actuation mechanism comprising: an actuating arm having a distal end and a proximal end; and a collar operatively connected to the end-effector and operatively connected to the distal end of the actuating arm; wherein said collar converts rotation of the actuating arm into a plurality of actuations of the end-effector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said collar is rotatable within a first range of rotation and a second range of rotation, wherein the first range of rotation moves the end-effector in a first motion and the second range of rotation moves the end-effector in a second motion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein the first motion is articulation of the end-effector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein the second motion is actuation of the end-effector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle including an actuation trigger; a surgical end-effector; an outer sheath having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle and a distal end operatively connected to an articulation collar; the articulation collar operatively coupled to said actuation trigger and to the surgical end effector; whereby movement of the actuation trigger through a first range of motion articulates said end-effector via said articulating.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle including an actuation trigger; a surgical end-effector; an outer sheath having a proximal end operatively connected to the handle and a distal end operatively connected to an articulation collar; the articulation collar operatively coupled to said actuation trigger and to the surgical end effector; whereby movement of the actuation trigger through a first range of motion articulates said end-effector via said articulating.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical instrument of 5 , wherein movement of the actuation trigger through a second range of motion actuates the end-effector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical instrument of 5 , wherein movement of the actuation trigger through a second range of motion actuates the end-effector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle including an actuation trigger; a surgical end-effector; an outer sheath operatively extending from the handle to the surgical end-effector; an articulation collar located between the outer sheath and the end-effector, the articulation collar operatively coupled to the actuation trigger and to the end-effector, the articulation collar comprising: an articulation portion operatively connected to an actuation portion; and wherein movement of the actuation trigger actuates the end-effector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle including an actuation trigger; a surgical end-effector; an outer sheath operatively extending from the handle to the surgical end-effector; an articulation collar located between the outer sheath and the end-effector, the articulation collar operatively coupled to the actuation trigger and to the end-effector, the articulation collar comprising: an articulation portion operatively connected to an actuation portion; and wherein movement of the actuation trigger actuates the end-effector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein movement of the actuation trigger through a first range of motion articulates the end-effector via the articulation portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein movement of the actuation trigger through a second range of motion actuates the end-effector via the actuation portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9 , wherein the second range of motion rotates the articulation collar from about thirty to about 120 degrees.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9 , wherein the first range of motion rotates the articulation collar from about zero to about thirty degrees, and wherein the second range of motion rotates the articulation collar from about thirty to about ninety degrees.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the first range of motion rotates the articulation collar from about zero to about 60 degrees.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle including an actuation trigger; a surgical end-effector; an outer sheath operatively extending from the handle to the surgical end-effector; an articulation collar located between the outer sheath and the end-effector, the articulation collar operatively coupled to the actuation trigger and to the end-effector, the articulation collar comprising: an articulation means for articulating the end-effector; and an actuation means for actuating the end-effector.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A surgical instrument comprising: a handle including an actuation trigger; a surgical end-effector; an outer sheath operatively extending from the handle to the surgical end-effector; an articulation collar located between the outer sheath and the end-effector, the articulation collar operatively coupled to the actuation trigger and to the end-effector, the articulation collar comprising: an articulation means for articulating the end-effector; and an actuation means for actuating the end-effector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4108211A
Cited
US5380274A
Cited
US5342292A
Cited
US5324299A
Cited
US5514157A
Cited
US5409498A
Cited
US5322055A
Cited
US5322055B1
Cited
US5549637A
Cited
US5575799A
Cited
US5906628A
Cited
US5772627A
Cited
US6063098A
Cited
US5957943A
Cited
US6090120A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-23 | 2006-03-25 | 2006-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | 2010-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-23 | 2014-03-25 | 2014-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |