Endoscopic instrument system

Claim 2

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 1, further characterised in that said gripping means operates said actuating means.

Claim 3

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 2, characterised in that said actuating means extends through said shaft from said gripping means to said attached one of said end tools.

Claim 4

An endoscopic instrument system according to any preceding claim, further characterised in that said end tools include scissors.

Claim 5

An endoscopic instrument system according to any preceding claim, further characterised in that said end tools are connectable to said shaft end by a threaded engagement.

Claim 6

An endoscopic instrument system according to any preceding claim, further characterised in that said actuating means includes a rod extending from said gripping means to one of said end tools mounted on said shaft end.

Claim 7

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 6, further characterised in that each of said end tools includes means for engaging said rod.

Claim 8

An endoscopic instrument system according to any preceding claim, further characterised in that each of said end tools includes link means terminating in an enlarged end, and said actuating means includes means for releasably engaging said enlarged end.

Claim 9

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 8, further characterised in that said engaging means includes clevis means for receiving said enlarged end of an attached one of said end tools.

Claim 10

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 8, further characterised in that each of said end tools includes a support attachable to said shaft end and receiving said link means, a first element pivotally attached to said support and to said link means and a second element attached to said support, whereby movement of said link means in response to movement of said actuating means causes said first element to pivot relative to said support and to said second element.

Claim 11

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 9, further characterised in that said link means includes a stub rod having said enlarged end and being slidably received in said support, and a first link element interconnecting said stub rod and said first element, whereby sliding movement of said stub rod is transmitted through said link element to pivot said first element.

Claim 12

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 10, further characterised in that said second element is pivotally attached to said support, and said link means includes a second link element interconnecting said stub rod and said second element, whereby said sliding movement of said stub rod causes said first and second elements to pivot relative to each other in a scissors movement.

Claim 13

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 11, further characterised in that said first and second elements comprise first and second jaws, respectively, of a scissors, of a dissector, of a grasper, or of a biopsy.

Claim 14

An endoscopic instrument system according to any preceding claim, further characterised in that said shaft is rotatably mounted on said gripping means.

Claim 15

An endoscopic instrument system according to any of Claims 1 to 13, further characterised in that said shaft is removable from said gripping means.

Claim 16

An endoscopic instrument system according to any preceding claim, further characterised in that said gripping means includes port means for flushing said shaft.

Claim 17

An endoscopic instrument system according to Claim 16, further characterised in that said port means includes a stub tube threaded into said gripping means communicating with said shaft.

Claim 18

A disposable end tool adapted for use with an endoscopic instrument of a type having a handle portion including means for gripping said instrument, means forming an elongate shaft extending from said gripping means and means for actuating said instrument; the end tool being characterised in comprising jaw means forming a pair of jaws and support means, preferably plastics, operatively supporting said jaw means such that the jaws can move relative to each other, and in that said support means is attachable to said shaft end in a manner enabling coaction with said actuating means so that operation of the actuating means is effective to move said jaw means.

Claim 19

An end tool according to Claim 18, further characterised in that said support means includes an inner end adapted to mount on said shaft end.

Claim 20

An end tool according to Claim 19, further characterised in that said inner end includes a threaded portion shaped to thread into said shaft end.

Claim 21

An end tool according to any of Claims 18 to 20, further characterised in that said jaw means include a stub shaft slidably mounted in said support means and adapted to engage said actuating means.

Claim 22

An end tool according to Claim 21 as appendant to Claims 19 or 20, further characterised in that said stub shaft includes an enlarged end protruding from said inner end and shaped to engage said actuating means.

Claim 23

An end tool according to any of Claims 18 to 22, further characterised in that said jaw means includes first and second jaws, said jaws being pivotally attached to said support means.

Claim 24

An end tool according to both Claim 23 and one of Claims 21 or 22, further characterised in that said jaw means includes first and second links interconnecting said first and second jaws, respectively, with said stub shaft, whereby, in operation of a said instrument incorporating said end tool, reciprocating movement of said stub shaft relative to said support means in response to said actuating means is effective to cause said jaws to pivot relative to each other.

Claim 25

An end tool according to Claims 23 or 24, further characterised in that said jaws form a scissors, a grasper, biopsy, or a dissector.

Claim 26

An end tool according to any of Claims 18 to 25, further characterised in that said support means is made of a glass filled polyetherimide, a glass filled polyetheretherketone or a glass filled polyethersulfone.

Claim 27

A disposable end tool adapted for use with an endoscopic instrument of a type having a handle portion including means for gripping said instrument, means forming an elongate shaft extending from said gripping means and having a threaded open end opposite said gripping means, and rod means for actuating said instrument, said rod means being mounted within said shaft for slidable movement by said gripping means and having a clevis end adjacent said shaft end, the end tool being characterised in comprising: a support having a threaded inner end shaped to enable it to be threaded into said shaft end; a stub shaft mounted within said support for reciprocal movement and having an enlarged end protruding from said inner end shaped to enable it releasably to engage said clevis end; first and second links pivotally attached to said stub shaft within said support; and first and second jaws pivotally mounted on said support to effect a scissors movement, said first and second jaws being pivotally connected to said first and second links, respectively, whereby, in operation of said instrument incorporating said end tool, reciprocating movement of said rod is effective to reciprocate said stub shaft whereby to effect said scissors movement of said jaws.