US3921640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable surgical instruments
Assignee: CRBARD Inc A CORP OF NJ
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Filing: 1974-03-22
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Granted: 1975-11-25
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Expires: 1994-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A surgical instrument of single piece molded plastic construction is provided. The instrument includes a pair of substantially identical arms connected together for relative pivotal movement by an integral pivot connection and an integral U-shaped spring element located between the arms for normally maintaining the arms and jaw members in an open position. The instrument is provided with integral locking members which interlock upon closure of the arms to hold the jaw members in a closed position. Alternative jaw configurations are provided to allow the instrument to function as a pair of scissors, a needle holder, a hemostat, or a towel clip.
Inventors
- 👤 John O Freeborn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:02
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/3201; A61B17/04; A61B17/0467; A61B17/06; A61B17/062; A61B17/28; A61B17/2812; A61B17/0483; A61B2017/0023; A61B17/12; A61B2017/12004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
A surgical instrument formed of a single piece of molded, resilient material which provides a pair of spAced arms each including an elongated shank portion having a front end terminating in a jaw member and a rear end provided with a finger grip section, pivot means for connecting said arms together for relative pivotal movement, and an integral U-shaped spring element located between said shank portions and connected to said rear ends of said shank portions for holding said arms together in an unassembled configuration of the surgical instrument, said spring element normally biasing said finger grip sections apart in an assembled configuration of the surgical instrument to maintain said jaw members in a normally open position, said jaw members being movable together to a closed position upon application of manual pressure on said finger grip sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
A surgical instrument formed of a single piece of molded, resilient material which provides a pair of spAced arms each including an elongated shank portion having a front end terminating in a jaw member and a rear end provided with a finger grip section, pivot means for connecting said arms together for relative pivotal movement, and an integral U-shaped spring element located between said shank portions and connected to said rear ends of said shank portions for holding said arms together in an unassembled configuration of the surgical instrument, said spring element normally biasing said finger grip sections apart in an assembled configuration of the surgical instrument to maintain said jaw members in a normally open position, said jaw members being movable together to a closed position upon application of manual pressure on said finger grip sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: said U-shaped spring element includes a pair of spring arms connected to said rear ends of said shank portions with a loop portion joining said spring arms and extending toward said jaw members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, which includes: integral latching members formed on said finger grip sections and cooperable upon closure of said jaw members to hold said jaw members in the closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: said jaw members are provided with adjacent cutting edges which move past each other upon closure of said jaw members to perform a shearing action.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein: each of said jaw members includes an elongated metal insert provided along its cutting edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: one of said jaw members includes a longitudinal recess and the other of said jaw members includes an elongated protrusion which mates with said longitudinal recess upon closure of said jaw members for clamping a suture needle therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: said jaw members are provided with a plurality of teeth which intermesh upon closure of said jaw members to provide a hemostat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: each jaw member includes a clamping element provided with mating surfaces for holding a towel-like article therebetween upon closure of said jaw members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: each of said jaw members comprises a blade having an elongated edge movable into engagement with the corresponding edge of the other blade upon closure of said arms, said blade having a plurality of wedge-shaped teeth formed along its elongated edge which intermesh with the corresponding teeth on the other blade to clamp a towel-like article therebetween, said teeth being provided with a lateral bevel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the lateral bevel of said teeth is 45*.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: said U-shaped spring element maintains said arms in a spaced, parallel relationship in the unassembled configuration of the surgical instrument.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein: each elongated shank portion includes an enlarged contact surface adjacent to the jaw member at the front end thereof for engaging the corresponding enlarged contact surface on the other elongated shank portion; and said pivot means is located at said enlarged contact surfaces on said elongated shank portions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein: said pivot means comprises a rivet projecting from one of said contact surfaces and a hole formed in the other contact surface for receiving said rivet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein: each elongated shank portion has a cross-section substantially in the shape of an ellipse with its major axis oriented perpendicularly to the pivot axis of the instrument; and each of said spring arms has a cross-section substantially in the shape of an ellipse with its major axis oriented in a direction parallel to the pivot axis of the instRument.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-24 | 1979-05-26 | 1979-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-24 | 1983-05-26 | 1983-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-24 | 1987-05-26 | 1987-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |