Medical instrument employing curved spreading members to manipulate organs within the body

Claim 2

A medical instrument for manipulating organs within the body of a patient, comprising: an instrument shaft having a longitudinal axis; an main body portion disposed at the distal end and constituting a prolongation of said instrument shaft, and at least one spreading member mounted at the distal end of said instrument shaft by a pivot axle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft so that said spreading member is pivotable relative to the non-moving said main body portion about the pivot axle between non-spread out and spread out positions; and handle means for pivoting said spreading member about said pivot axle, said handle means including a handle disposed at the proximal end of said instrument shaft and at least one control member interconnecting said spreading member and said handle, said control member being displaceably guided within said instrument shaft such that said spreading member pivots about said pivot axle in response to movement of said handle means, wherein said main body portion and said at least one spreading member are curved so that outer surfaces thereof define a curved support plane when said spreading member is in the spread out position.

Claim 3

A medical instrument according to claim 1, wherein at least two spreading members are included, said spreading members being respectively pivotable relative to said main body portion to define a spread apart position in which a corresponding distal end of each spreading member is on an opposite side of said main body portion.

Claim 4

A medical instrument according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said main body portion and said at least one spreading member define a round cross-sectional outer contour when said at least one spreading member is in the non-spread out position.

Claim 5

A medical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising means for pivotably coupling the main body portion to the instrument shaft, said coupling means including a joint axle arranged transversely to said pivot axle, whereby said main body portion and said at least one spreading member may be swivelled relative to a longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft.

Claim 6

A medical instrument according to claim 4, further comprising second handle means for controlling swivelling of the main body portion about said joint axle.

Claim 7

A medical instrument according to claim 1, further including a duct extending longitudinally within the instrument between proximal and distal ends thereof.

Claim 8

A medical instrument according to claim 1, wherein two spreading members are included and wherein respective side surfaces of the spreading members abut one another and respective lower surfaces thereof are supported by a planar upper side surface of said main body portion when said spreading members are in the non-spread out position.

Claim 9

A medical instrument according to claim 7, axle interconnects the spreading members with the main body portion and wherein said control member comprises a control rod guided through the instrument shaft, a portion of each spreading member being adapted to project out over the pivot axle in a proximal direction so as to form a corresponding lever arm and said spreading members are articulated by said control rod. members are articulated by said control rod.

Claim 10

A medical instrument according to claim 8, further including a grip and wherein said control rod is connected to said handle, said handle being axially displaceable relative to said grip and being lockable with respect thereto.

Claim 11

A medical instrument according to claim 1, wherein a first and a second spreading member are mounted to the instrument shaft, said main body portion having a stiffening web which extends between said first and second spreading members and contacts inner side surfaces of the spreading members in said non-spread out position.

Claim 12

A medical instrument according to claim 1, further including a coupling for detachably coupling the instrument shaft to said handle.

Claim 13

A medical instrument according to claim 6, wherein said duct has a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of said duct comprises a tube extending from the proximal end of the instrument and terminating proximate said at least one spreading member, said main body portion defining the second portion of said duct in fluid communication with said tube.

Claim 14

A medical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the second portion of said duct extends to the distal end of the main body portion.

Claim 15

A medical instrument for manipulating organs within the body of a patient, comprising: an instrument shaft having a longitudinal axis; a main body portion disposed at the distal end of said instrument shaft, and a plurality of spreading members mounted at the distal end of said instrument shaft by a pivot axle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft so that said spreading members are pivotable relative to said main body portion about the pivot axle between no-spread out and spread out positions; handle means for pivoting said spreading members about said pivot axle, said handle means including a handle disposed at the proximal end of said instrument shaft and at least one control member interconnecting said spreading members and said handle, said control member being displaceably guided within said instrument shaft such that said spreading members pivot about said pivot axle in response to movement of said handle means, wherein said main body portion and said spreading members are curved so that outer surfaces thereof define a curved plane when said spreading members are in the spread out position; and a duct extending longitudinally within the instrument between proximal and distal ends thereof, a first portion of said duct comprises a tube extending from the proximal end of the instrument and terminating proximate the plurality of spreading members, aligned interior surfaces of said spreading members and said main body portion in said non-spread out position defining a second portion of said duct in fluid communication with said tube.

Claim 16

A medical instrument for manipulating organs within the body of a patient, comprising: an instrument shaft having a longitudinal axis; a main body portion disposed at the distal end of said instrument shaft, and a plurality of spreading members mounted at the distal end of said instrument shaft by a pivot axle perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the instrument shaft so that said spreading members are pivotable relative to said main body portion about the pivot axle between no-spread out and spread out positions; handle means for pivoting said spreading members about said pivot axle, said handle means including a handle disposed at the proximal end of said instrument shaft and at least one control member interconnecting said spreading members and said handle, said control member being displaceably guided within said instrument shaft such that said spreading members pivot about said pivot axle in response to movement of said handle means, wherein said main body portion and said spreading members are curved so that outer surfaces thereof define a curved plane when said spreading members are in the spread out position; and a duct extending longitudinally within the instrument between proximal and distal ends thereof, a first portion of said duct comprises a tube extending from the proximal end of the instrument and terminating proximate the plurality of spreading members, aligned interior surfaces of said spreading members and said main body portion in said non-spread out position defining a second portion of said duct in fluid communication with said tube.

Claim 17

A medical instrument according to claim 14, wherein the duct terminates at the distal end of said instrument.