EP0484671A2 — Endoscopic surgical instrument

Claim 1

Independent Claim 165 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly (12) including a stationary handle (14) and a pivoting handle (16); a body assembly (18) including a pair of coaxial members (20, 22) attached at one end to said handle assembly, comprising an inner rod member (22) slidable in relation to an outer tube member (20), said rod member sliding in response to movement of said pivoting handle and terminating at a second end in a bearing surface (80); and a tool mechanism (28) comprising a pair of reciprocating members pivotably secured to a second end of said tube member, said tool mechanism being provided with a camming surface (76, 78) which slidably engages said bearing surface of said rod member; wherein movement of said pivoting handle slides said rod member in relation to said tube member, such that said bearing surface of said rod member slidingly engages said camming surface of said tool mechanism to pivot said tool mechanism to open and close said reciprocating members.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 165 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly (12) including a stationary handle (14) and a pivoting handle (16); a body assembly (18) including a pair of coaxial members (20, 22) attached at one end to said handle assembly, comprising an inner rod member (22) slidable in relation to an outer tube member (20), said rod member sliding in response to movement of said pivoting handle and terminating at a second end in a bearing surface (80); and a tool mechanism (28) comprising a pair of reciprocating members pivotably secured to a second end of said tube member, said tool mechanism being provided with a camming surface (76, 78) which slidably engages said bearing surface of said rod member; wherein movement of said pivoting handle slides said rod member in relation to said tube member, such that said bearing surface of said rod member slidingly engages said camming surface of said tool mechanism to pivot said tool mechanism to open and close said reciprocating members.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 155 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a pivoting handle; a body portion including a rod member slidably positioned in coaxial relation to a tube member, said rod member being secured at a first end to said pivoting handle, and said tube member being secured to said stationary handle; and a tool mechanism which is a jaw mechanism including a pair of jaw members pivotable about a common pivot point on an end of said tube member remote from said handle assembly, each of said jaw members being provided with a camming surface which engages a bearing surface on an end of said rod member remote from said handle assembly; wherein movement of said pivoting handle results in said rod member sliding within said tube member such that said bearing surface bears on said camming surfaces to result in said jaw members pivoting in an opening and closing manner.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 155 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a pivoting handle; a body portion including a rod member slidably positioned in coaxial relation to a tube member, said rod member being secured at a first end to said pivoting handle, and said tube member being secured to said stationary handle; and a tool mechanism which is a jaw mechanism including a pair of jaw members pivotable about a common pivot point on an end of said tube member remote from said handle assembly, each of said jaw members being provided with a camming surface which engages a bearing surface on an end of said rod member remote from said handle assembly; wherein movement of said pivoting handle results in said rod member sliding within said tube member such that said bearing surface bears on said camming surfaces to result in said jaw members pivoting in an opening and closing manner.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 139 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly including a stationary handle member and a pivoting handle member; a body assembly including a pair of coaxial members attached at a first end to said handle assembly, a first coaxial member comprising a tube attached at a first end to said stationary handle, and a second coaxial member comprising a rod slidably positioned within said tube and attached at a first end to said pivoting handle, such that movement of said pivoting handle slides said rod in a reciprocating manner within said tube; and a tool mechanism which is a jaw mechanism pivotably attached at a pivot point to said tube and including a camming surface which engages a second end of said rod during reciprocation of said rod for effecting an opening and closing motion of said jaw mechanism.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 139 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly including a stationary handle member and a pivoting handle member; a body assembly including a pair of coaxial members attached at a first end to said handle assembly, a first coaxial member comprising a tube attached at a first end to said stationary handle, and a second coaxial member comprising a rod slidably positioned within said tube and attached at a first end to said pivoting handle, such that movement of said pivoting handle slides said rod in a reciprocating manner within said tube; and a tool mechanism which is a jaw mechanism pivotably attached at a pivot point to said tube and including a camming surface which engages a second end of said rod during reciprocation of said rod for effecting an opening and closing motion of said jaw mechanism.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 151 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a pivoting handle; an outer elongated tube member extending from and secured to said stationary handle; an elongated inner rod member coaxially positioned within said tube and secured to said pivoting handle; a tool mechanism which is a jaw mechanism pivotably secured to an end of said tube remote from said handle, said jaw mechanism including two jaw members each having a camming surface upon which a bearing member attached to an end of said rod remote from said handles slides to effect opening and closing of said jaws; and a rotatable cylindrically-shaped knob positioned in a transverse slot which passes through said stationary handle, said knob having a passage through which said tube and rod pass, said knob being secured to said tube; wherein rotation of said knob effects rotation of said tube, rod and jaw mechanism.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 151 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly including a stationary handle and a pivoting handle; an outer elongated tube member extending from and secured to said stationary handle; an elongated inner rod member coaxially positioned within said tube and secured to said pivoting handle; a tool mechanism which is a jaw mechanism pivotably secured to an end of said tube remote from said handle, said jaw mechanism including two jaw members each having a camming surface upon which a bearing member attached to an end of said rod remote from said handles slides to effect opening and closing of said jaws; and a rotatable cylindrically-shaped knob positioned in a transverse slot which passes through said stationary handle, said knob having a passage through which said tube and rod pass, said knob being secured to said tube; wherein rotation of said knob effects rotation of said tube, rod and jaw mechanism.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 45 words

An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said camming surface of said tool mechanism comprises a slot (76, 78) in each of said reciprocating members, said recoprocating members being pivotable about a common pivot point (68) secured to said outer tube.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 50 words

An instrument according to claim 5, wherein said bearing surface (80) of said rod member comprises a post member which passes through said slots of said reciprocating members, such that said post member slidingly contacts said reciprocating members within said slots to effect opening and closing of said reciprocating members.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 46 words

An instrument according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said camming surface comprises a slot in a first one of said reciprocating members, a second one of said reciprocating members being stationary such that said first member pivots in relation to said second member.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

An instrument according to claim 7, wherein said bearing surface of said rod member comprises a post member which passes through said slot of said first reciprocating member, such that post member slidingly contacts said first reciprocating member within said slot to effect opening and closing of said tool mechanism.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle assembly includes a locking mechanism to lock said tool mechanism in an open or closed position.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 75 words

An instrument according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said tool mechanism comprises a pair of grasping members for grasping and holding tissue during surgery, and wherein said grasping members define a distal end and a proximal end in relation to said pivot point, and wherein said distal ends contact each other before said proximal ends contact each other, such that a tightening force may be progressively applied to said grasping members.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 70 words

An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pivoting handle is provided with a pair of stop members proximate said pivot point which abut said stationary handle, a first stop member (36a) limiting opening of said handles and a second stop member (36b) limiting closing of said handles, such that the application of destructive forces to said tool mechanism is avoided during opening and closing movement.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 90 words

An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said body assembly further comprises a knob (52) (which may be the knob mentioned in claim 4 above) circumferentially secured about said outer tube member at said handle end, said knob being positioned in a slot (54) formed in said stationary handle, said knob including an extension (56) having a tubular shape with a polygonal cross-section, such that said body assembly may be incrementally rotated in relation to said polygonal cross-section engaging an interior portion of said stationary handle.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 72 words

An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said handle assembly comprises two pivot points, a first pivot point being provided for pivotably connecting said pivoting handle to said stationary handle, and a second pivot point (58) being provided for securing said rod member to said pivoting handle, such that said rod member is drawn longitudinally through said outer tube member and said handle assembly with minimal radial deflection.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 29 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein said second pivot point comprises two cooperating discs which surround said rod, said rod being rotatably secured between said discs.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 48 words

An instrument according to claim 14, wherein said second pivot point comprises a pair of cooperating discs each having a post member and a bore hole for engaging the other post member; each disc further having a slot for accepting and securing an end of said rod member.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 80 words

An endoscopic surgical instrument according to any one of preceding claims, wherein said outer tube is provided at an end remote from said handle assembly with a housing insert member having a longitudinal passage to allow said rod member to pass therethrough, said tool mechanism being pivotably secured to said housing insert member, and wherein said housing insert member is provided with a longitudinal slot adjacent said pivot point to allow said tool mechanism to pivot about said pivot point.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 47 words

An instrument according to any of one of the preceding claims, wherein said stationary handle includes an electrical connection port (42) for reception of an electrical jack member, said port electrically connecting said jack member for conducting current to said tool mechanism for cauterizing tissue during use.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 12 words

An instrument according to claim 17, wherein said tube is electrically insulated.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 35 words

An instrument according to claim 17 or 18, wherein said port is positioned adjacent a finger grip portion of said stationary handle, such that said port avoids obstructing view of said jaw mechanism during use.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 52 words

An instrument according to claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein said port is positioned on said stationary handle at an angle to a longitudinal axis of said instrument in a direction away from said tube, said angle positioning said port so as to avoid obstructing view of said jaw mechanism during use.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 27 words

An instrument according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein said port is positioned at an angle to said longitudinal axis of less than 15°.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 84 words

An instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, and as appendant to claim 4 or claim 12, wherein said knob is secured to a tubular bushing member passing through said passage, said bushing member having a passageway through which said tube passes and is secured thereto, said bushing further having a polygonal cross-section which engages an interior boss in said handle to effect a ratchet- ing action for incremental rotation of said jaw mechanism, and wherein said bushing has a dodecahedral cross-section.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 117 words

A grasping mechanism for an endoscopic surgical instrument, said mechanism including a pair of members (100, 102) in opposing relation, each comprising: a plastic paddle portion having a distal end and a proximal end, and forming a land portion wich opposes an opposite member of said pair, said land portion having grooves (104) therein to facilitate grasping; and a metallic camming portion having a flat body including a pivot hole (109) and a cam slot (108), said portion further including a post member (110) to which said plastic paddle portion is integrally molded at said proximal end; wherein said camming portion is positioned such that when said land portion is horizontal, said camming portion is substantially vertical.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 117 words

A grasping mechanism for an endoscopic surgical instrument, said mechanism including a pair of members (100, 102) in opposing relation, each comprising: a plastic paddle portion having a distal end and a proximal end, and forming a land portion wich opposes an opposite member of said pair, said land portion having grooves (104) therein to facilitate grasping; and a metallic camming portion having a flat body including a pivot hole (109) and a cam slot (108), said portion further including a post member (110) to which said plastic paddle portion is integrally molded at said proximal end; wherein said camming portion is positioned such that when said land portion is horizontal, said camming portion is substantially vertical.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

A grasping mechanism according to claim 23, wherein said paddle portion tapers in width from said proximal end to said distal end.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 48 words

A grasping mechanism according to claim 23, wherein said paddle portion tapers inwardly from said proximal end to a point intermediate said proximal end and said distal end, and then tapers outwardly from said intermediate point to said distal end to a rounded configuration at said distal end.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 95 words

A cutting mechanism for an endoscopic surgical instrument, said mechanism including a pair of scissor members (72, 74) in overlapping relation, said members each comprising: a blade portion having a stiffening region (75) formed thereon, said stiffening region having a thickness equivalent to a thickness of said blade portion; and a camming portion having a body portion including a pivot hole (68) and a cam slot (76, 78), said camming member being integral with said blade portion such that said cam slot and said stiffening region are located on opposite sides of said pivot hole.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 95 words

A cutting mechanism for an endoscopic surgical instrument, said mechanism including a pair of scissor members (72, 74) in overlapping relation, said members each comprising: a blade portion having a stiffening region (75) formed thereon, said stiffening region having a thickness equivalent to a thickness of said blade portion; and a camming portion having a body portion including a pivot hole (68) and a cam slot (76, 78), said camming member being integral with said blade portion such that said cam slot and said stiffening region are located on opposite sides of said pivot hole.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 19 words

A cutting mechanism according to claim 26, wherein said stiffening region comprises a detent punched into said blade portion.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 78 words

A handle mechanism for an endoscopic surgical instrument, said handle comprising: a stationary handle; and a pivoting handle, said pivoting handle being attached to said stationary handle at a pivot point; wherein said pivoting handle includes a pair of stop members positioned on opposite sides of pivot point, and further wherein said stationary handle includes a pair of bosses which engage said stop members to limit rotation in each direction of said pivoting handle about said pivot point.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 78 words

A handle mechanism for an endoscopic surgical instrument, said handle comprising: a stationary handle; and a pivoting handle, said pivoting handle being attached to said stationary handle at a pivot point; wherein said pivoting handle includes a pair of stop members positioned on opposite sides of pivot point, and further wherein said stationary handle includes a pair of bosses which engage said stop members to limit rotation in each direction of said pivoting handle about said pivot point.

Endoscopic surgical instrument

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