Surgical instrument with separate tool head and method of use

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9408659-B2
Application number	US-201213422208-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2012
Priority date	Apr 2, 2007
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

Surgical instruments are disclosed in which an elongated shaft is used in conjunction with a separate, remotely actuable tool head for performing a procedure on a target tissue. The shaft has a tool engagement member carried at its distal end that is remotely actuable through the shaft to engage and release the tool head.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A tool head for use with a medical occlusion procedure configured for use in combination with a surgical device having a shaft and a pair of jaws on the distal end of the shaft, the tool head comprising a deployment frame removably coupled to an occlusion clip and devoid of an elongated shaft and handle, the occlusion clip having at least two legs that are repositionable with respect to one another and configured to occlude tissue therebetween, the occlusion clip being attached to a tether line that is separate from the surgical device and that extends through the deployment frame and configured to be repositioned with respect to the deployment frame in order to reposition the occlusion clip with respect to the deployment frame.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the deployment frame comprises a closed frame circumscribing the occlusion clip.

3. The tool head of claim 1 , wherein:
the occlusion clip is covered with a fabric.

4. The tool head of claim 3 , wherein:
the occlusion clip comprises a left atrial appendage clamp.

5. The tool head of claim 1 , wherein:
a tether line includes a length sufficient for remote actuation outside of a patient's body.

6. The tool head of claim 1 , wherein the tether line comprises a suture.

Assignees

• Privitera Salvatore
• Winkler Matthew J
• Atricure Inc

Inventors

• Privitera Salvatore
• Winkler Matthew J

Classifications

• A61B18/1447

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

• A61B2017/00243

  cardiac · CPC title

• A61B2017/320044

  Blunt dissectors · CPC title

• A61B2018/00577

  Ablation · CPC title

• A61B17/32

  Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133}) · CPC title