Surgical devices and mechanisms

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10238448-B2
Application number	US-201514853903-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 14, 2015
Priority date	Sep 28, 2011
Publication date	Mar 26, 2019
Grant date	Mar 26, 2019

Abstract

An instrument for use in a medical procedure that includes a proximal end, a distal end, a handle adjacent to the proximal end of the instrument, a flexible elongated neck extending distally from a distal end of the handle, a jaw power screw extending from a distal end of the neck, a pair of moveable jaws operatively connected to the jaw power screw, and a handle power screw assembly operatively connected to a proximal end of the flexible neck within the handle, wherein manipulation of the handle will control movement of the jaws.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of performing a surgical procedure using an instrument, comprising the steps of:
receiving an instrument comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a handle adjacent to the proximal end of the instrument;
a flexible elongated neck extending distally from a distal end of the handle;
a jaw power screw extending from a distal end of the neck to a slider block;
a pair of moveable jaws including a first jaw and a second jaw; the pair of moveable jaws operatively connected to the jaw power screw with the slider block; wherein a first pin extends into both of the jaws to pivotally connect the jaws to the slider block;
a casing; wherein the slider block and at least a portion of each of the pair of jaws are positioned within the casing; further wherein a second pin slidably connects the first jaw to the casing and a third pin slidably connects the second jaw to the casing; wherein the first pin is proximally positioned with respect to the second and third pins; and
a handle power screw assembly operatively connected to a proximal end of the flexible neck within the handle;
configuring the neck for access to a surgical site;
maneuvering the distal end of the instrument to the surgical site with the jaws in a first position;
manipulating the handle to move the jaws from the first position to a second position; and
performing a desired therapy with the jaws at the surgical site.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of manipulating the handle further comprises moving the jaws toward and away from each other while simultaneously translating the jaws in an axial direction relative to the distal end of the instrument.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the therapy being performed comprises one of tissue ablation and tissue cauterization.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handle power screw assembly comprises:
a handle power screw that comprises a main body having at least one spiral channel extending along its length; and
a slider positioned to circumferentially surround at least a portion of the main body; and
further comprising the step of initiating linear motion of the slider to rotate the handle power screw.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the slider includes an inner tubular surface from which at least one protrusion extends that is engaged with at least one of the at least one spiral channel of the main body of the handle power screw.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second jaws includes a slot and the second and third pins respectively extend into the slots of the first and second jaws respectively.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second and third pins extending through the casing.

8. A method of performing a surgical procedure using an instrument, comprising the steps of:
receiving an instrument comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a handle adjacent to the proximal end of the instrument;
a flexible elongated neck extending distally from a distal end of the handle;
a jaw power screw extending from a distal end of the neck;
a pair of moveable jaws including a first jaw and a second jaw; wherein the pair of moveable jaws are pivotally connected with a first pin; wherein each jaw includes a slot and the pair of jaws are operatively connected to the jaw power screw utilizing a casing, wherein the casing comprises second and third pins extending therefrom, wherein the second pin slidably connects the first jaw to the casing and the third pin slidably connects the second jaw to the casing; further wherein the first pin is proximally positioned with respect to the second and third pins; and
a handle power screw assembly operatively connected to a proximal end of the flexible neck within the handle;
configuring the neck for access to a surgical site;
maneuvering the distal end of the instrument to the surgical site with the jaws in a first position;
manipulating the handle to move the jaws relative to each other from the first position to a second position such that the pins slide in the slots; and
performing a desired therapy with the jaws at the surgical site.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the step of manipulating the handle further comprises moving the jaws toward and away from each other while simultaneously translating the jaws in an axial direction relative to the distal end of the instrument.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the therapy being performed comprises one of tissue ablation and tissue cauterization.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the handle power screw assembly comprises:
a handle power screw that comprises a main body having at least one spiral channel extending along its length; and
a slider positioned to circumferentially surround at least a portion of the main body; and
further comprising the step of initiating linear motion of the slider to rotate the handle power screw.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the slider includes an inner tubular surface from which at least one protrusion extends that is engaged with at least one of the spiral channels of the main body of the handle power screw.

Assignees

• Medtronic Inc

Inventors

• Isenberg John

Classifications

• A61B2017/2916

  pins in guiding slots · CPC title

• A61B18/1447

  wherein sliding surfaces cause opening/closing of the end effectors · CPC title

• A61B2017/2944

  Translation of jaw members · CPC title

• A61B2018/145

  wherein the effectors remain parallel during closing and opening · CPC title

• A61B2018/00577

  Ablation · CPC title