Articulating endoscopic surgical apparatus

Claim 2

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion; a tubular body portion extending from said handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis, said tubular body portion including an inner electrical insulating member and an outer electrical insulating member; a tool assembly associated with a distal end portion of said tubular body portion, said tool assembly including a tool base portion and tool means; connector means in association with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said tool assembly; means for effectuating remote articulation of said tool assembly between a first position substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said body portion and a second position substantially angularly disposed with respect to said longitudinal axis of said body portion; and means for effectuating remote rotation of said tool assembly about the longitudinal axis of said body portion relative to said handle assembly, wherein said means for effecting remote rotation comprises a rotation assembly including an axially rotatable collar member associated with said handle portion, and an outer tubular member extending from said collar member, through said body portion, to said tool assembly.

Claim 3

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner insulating member is defined by a tubular member.

Claim 4

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said inner insulating tubular member is constructed from a plastic electrical insulating material.

Claim 5

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said outer insulating material consists of shrink wrap.

Claim 6

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said tool assembly is provided with an electrical insulating member.

Claim 7

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said electrical insulating member is defined by a tubular configuration.

Claim 8

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said tool means comprises a pair of cooperating jaw members configured and dimensioned for use in remote suturing of tissue.

Claim 9

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising actuation means extending from said handle assembly to said tool assembly for remotely moving said cooperating jaw members between an open position and a closed position.

Claim 10

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for effecting remote articulation comprises a resilient articulator tube having a preformed angular configuration and interconnecting said tool assembly to said distal end portion of said body portion, an elongated outer tubular section axially movable with respect to said articulator tube, and an axial drive screw assembly for effectuating progressive movement of said outer tube relative to said articulator tube.

Claim 11

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said resilient articulator tube is formed of a shape memory alloy.

Claim 12

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second positions of said tool assembly are disposed within an angular sector of rotation extending through about 0° to 90° from said longitudinal axis.

Claim 13

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said angular sector of rotation extends through about 0° to 80° from said longitudinal axis.

Claim 14

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxial reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to said elongated endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said elongated endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to the distal portion of said resilient articulating member; connector means associated with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; first insulator means being disposed between said fixed inner tubular section and said outer tubular section for preventing direct electrical contact between said inner tubular section and said outer tubular section; means associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion, wherein said rotation means includes an annular collar, whereby the proximal end of said fixed inner tubular section is operatively associated with said annular collar; and a cable assembly for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivoting handle, whereby movement of said pivoting handle causes said cooperating jaws to open and close.

Claim 15

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxial reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to said elongated endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said elongated endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to the distal portion of said resilient articulating member; connector means associated with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; first insulator means being disposed between said fixed inner tubular section and said outer tubular section for preventing direct electrical contact between said inner tubular section and said outer tubular section; means associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion, wherein said rotation means includes an annular collar, whereby the proximal end of said fixed inner tubular section is operatively associated with said annular collar; and a cable assembly for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivoting handle, whereby movement of said pivoting handle causes said cooperating jaws to open and close.

Claim 16

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said outer tubular section is provided with shrink wrap.

Claim 17

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said resilient articulating member is provided with second electrical insulation means.

Claim 18

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said second electrical insulation means is a tubular member with said articulating member extending through said second electrical insulating tubular member.

Claim 19

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said first insulator means is a tubular member configured such that said inner tubular member extends through said first electrical insulating tubular member.

Claim 20

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said resilient articulating member is of tubular configuration and is formed from a shape memory alloy.

Claim 21

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxial reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to said elongated endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said elongated endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to the distal portion of said resilient articulating member; connector means associated with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; first insulator means being disposed between said fixed inner tubular section and said outer tubular section for preventing direct electrical contact between said inner tubular section and said outer tubular section; means associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion; and a cable assembly for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivoting handle, whereby movement of said pivoting handle causes said cooperating jaws to open and close, wherein said handle portion further includes a manipulator barrel assembly for effectuating said resilient articulating member to translate from said first unstressed position to said second stressed position in correspondence with rotational movement of said manipulator barrel.

Claim 22

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxial reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to said elongated endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said elongated endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to the distal portion of said resilient articulating member; connector means associated with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; first insulator means being disposed between said fixed inner tubular section and said outer tubular section for preventing direct electrical contact between said inner tubular section and said outer tubular section; means associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion; and a cable assembly for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivoting handle, whereby movement of said pivoting handle causes said cooperating jaws to open and close, wherein said handle portion further includes a manipulator barrel assembly for effectuating said resilient articulating member to translate from said first unstressed position to said second stressed position in correspondence with rotational movement of said manipulator barrel.

Claim 23

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said pair of cooperating jaws are pivotally connected by an electrically isolated pivot pin.

Claim 24

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein said pivot pin is electrically isolated by an electrically insulating bushing.

Claim 25

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 20, wherein said pivot pin is fabricated from a dielectric material.

Claim 26

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 22, wherein said dielectric material is selected from the group consisting of ceramics and plastics.

Claim 27

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxially reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section, said elongated endoscopic portion further including an electrical insulating tubular section in association with said inner tubular section and said outer tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to said reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to said distal portion of said articulating member; connector means in association with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; a cable assembly for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivoting handle; linkage means associated with said handle portion for reciprocating said outer tubular section in an axial direction with respect to said inner tubular section between said first position and said second position; insulation means associated with said articulating member; and rotation means associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion wherein said rotation means includes an annular collar and an annular bushing disposed concentrically within said annular collar for receiving the proximal end of said inner tubular section.

Claim 28

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxially reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section, said elongated endoscopic portion further including an electrical insulating tubular section in association with said inner tubular section and said outer tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to said reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to said distal portion of said articulating member; connector means in association with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; a cable assembly for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivoting handle; linkage means associated with said handle portion for reciprocating said outer tubular section in an axial direction with respect to said inner tubular section between said first position and said second position; insulation means associated with said articulating member; and rotation means associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion wherein said rotation means includes an annular collar and an annular bushing disposed concentrically within said annular collar for receiving the proximal end of said inner tubular section.

Claim 29

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said insulation means is of a tubular configuration.

Claim 30

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein said articulating member is of tubular configuration and is formed from a shape memory alloy.

Claim 31

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 24, wherein insulation means are associated with said outer tubular section to electrically and thermally insulate the user from said outer tubular section.

Claim 32

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 27, wherein said insulation means consists of shrink wrap.

Claim 33

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxially reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section, said elongated endoscopic portion further including an electrical insulating tubular section in association with said inner tubular section and said outer tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to said reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to said distal portion of said articulating member; connector means in association with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; a cable assembly for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivoting handle; insulation means associated with said articulating member; and, articulation means associated with said handle portion and said outer tubular section for effectuating said coaxially reciprocating movement of said outer tubular section with respect to said fixed inner tubular section.

Claim 34

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxially reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section, said elongated endoscopic portion further including an electrical insulating tubular section in association with said inner tubular section and said outer tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to said reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of said endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to said distal portion of said articulating member; connector means in association with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; a cable assembly for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivoting handle; insulation means associated with said articulating member; and, articulation means associated with said handle portion and said outer tubular section for effectuating said coaxially reciprocating movement of said outer tubular section with respect to said fixed inner tubular section.

Claim 35

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said articulation means comprises an axial drive screw assembly.

Claim 36

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said first and second positions of said articulating member are disposed within an angular sector of rotation extending through about 0° to 90° from said longitudinal axis.

Claim 37

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 29, wherein said pair of cooperating jaws are pivotally connected by an electrically isolated pivot pin.

Claim 38

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxial reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section, said outer tubular section being fabricated from an electrically nonconductive material; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to said elongated endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said elongated endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to the distal portion of said resilient articulating member; connector means associated with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; means operatively associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion; and means for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivot handle, whereby movement of said pivoting handle causes said cooperating jaws to open and close, wherein said rotation means includes an annular collar, whereby the proximal end of said fixed inner tubular section is operatively associated with said annular collar.

Claim 39

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle portion having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxial reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section, said outer tubular section being fabricated from an electrically nonconductive material; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to said elongated endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said elongated endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to the distal portion of said resilient articulating member; connector means associated with said handle portion for delivering an electrical current to said cooperating jaws; means operatively associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion; and means for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivot handle, whereby movement of said pivoting handle causes said cooperating jaws to open and close, wherein said rotation means includes an annular collar, whereby the proximal end of said fixed inner tubular section is operatively associated with said annular collar.

Claim 40

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 33, wherein said resilient articulating member is of tubular configuration and is formed form a shape memory alloy.

Claim 41

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxial reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to said elongated endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said elongated endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to the distal portion of said resilient articulating member; means operatively associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion; and means for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivot handle, whereby movement of said pivoting handle causes said cooperating jaws to open and close, wherein said handle portion further includes a manipulator barrel assembly for effectuating said resilient articulating member to translate from said first unstressed position to said second stressed position in correspondence with rotational movement of said manipulator barrel.

Claim 42

A surgical apparatus comprising: a handle having a fixed handle and a pivoting handle; an elongated endoscopic portion including a fixed inner tubular section depending from said handle portion, and an outer tubular section mounted for coaxial reciprocating movement with respect to said fixed inner tubular section; a resilient articulating member extending from said fixed inner tubular section movable in response to reciprocating movements of said outer tubular section between a first unstressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is disposed at an angle to said elongated endoscopic portion and a second stressed position wherein a distal portion thereof is substantially coaxial with said elongated endoscopic portion; a pair of cooperating jaws operatively connected to the distal portion of said resilient articulating member; means operatively associated with said handle portion and said endoscopic portion for rotating said articulating member about the longitudinal axis of said elongated endoscopic portion with respect to said handle portion; and means for operatively connecting said cooperating jaws and said pivot handle, whereby movement of said pivoting handle causes said cooperating jaws to open and close, wherein said handle portion further includes a manipulator barrel assembly for effectuating said resilient articulating member to translate from said first unstressed position to said second stressed position in correspondence with rotational movement of said manipulator barrel.

Claim 43

A surgical apparatus as recited in claim 35, wherein said manipulator barrel assembly further includes an axial drive screw assembly.