Patent US5667472A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5667472A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Surgical instrument and method for use with a viewing system
Assignee: Clarus Medical LLC
•
Filing: 1994-03-18
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Granted: 1997-09-16
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Expires: 2014-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A surgical instrument for improved viewing of a surgical site by a surgeon from the perspective of a working element of the instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft with a distal operating portion extending at least about one-fourth of the length of the shaft. A working element is disposed on a distal end of the shaft. An elongated fiberoptic assembly is included, having image fibers with a distal end with an objective lens for defining a predetermined field-of-view, and a coupling device at a proximal end for coupling same to a viewing system. A mounting device is utilized for mounting the fiberoptic assembly to the shaft along the length of the distal operating portion thereof. The distal end of the image fibers is positioned with a predetermined portion of the working element within the field-of-view of the fiberoptic assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Miles A. Finn
- 👤 Thomas A. Poss
- 👤 Craig L. Riedl
- 👤 John C. Vanden Hoek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B1/00; A61B1/00163; A61B1/00165; A61B1/012; A61B1/018; A61B1/12; A61B17/16; A61B17/1604; A61B17/1606; A61B17/1608; A61B17/1662; A61B17/1686; A61B17/32; A61B17/3201; A61B17/34; A61B17/3417; A61B17/3421; A61B2017/3445; A61B2217/00; A61B2217/002; A61B2217/005; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/361
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
A surgical instrument for use with a viewing system, comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a distal operating portion; (b) a handle member having a portion offset from the shaft and mounted on the proximal end of the shaft, the offset portion of the handle member adapted to be held by a user of the instrument; (c) a working element disposed on the distal end of the shaft for manipulating tissue during the course of the surgical procedure; (d) an elongated optical assembly including an image fiber having a proximal end and a distal end with an objective lens mounted on the distal end of the image fiber for defining a predetermined field-of-view, the assembly including coupling means associated with the proximal end of the image fiber for operably coupling the image fiber to the viewing system; and (e) mounting means for mounting the optical assembly to the shaft and the offset portion of the handle member with the distal end of the image fiber positioned with a predetermined portion of the working element within the field-of-view of the optical assembly, the assembly extending along substantially the entire length of the shaft and onto the offset portion of the handle member to be coupled to the viewing system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
A surgical instrument for use with a viewing system, comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a distal operating portion; (b) a handle member having a portion offset from the shaft and mounted on the proximal end of the shaft, the offset portion of the handle member adapted to be held by a user of the instrument; (c) a working element disposed on the distal end of the shaft for manipulating tissue during the course of the surgical procedure; (d) an elongated optical assembly including an image fiber having a proximal end and a distal end with an objective lens mounted on the distal end of the image fiber for defining a predetermined field-of-view, the assembly including coupling means associated with the proximal end of the image fiber for operably coupling the image fiber to the viewing system; and (e) mounting means for mounting the optical assembly to the shaft and the offset portion of the handle member with the distal end of the image fiber positioned with a predetermined portion of the working element within the field-of-view of the optical assembly, the assembly extending along substantially the entire length of the shaft and onto the offset portion of the handle member to be coupled to the viewing system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the mounting means is coupled to the exterior of the shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical assembly is also mounted on and extends from a proximal portion of the handle member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical assembly further includes a rod lens mounted on the operating portion of the shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the mounting means is substantially complementarily configured to receive at least the operating portion of the shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises a molded or a shrinkable tubing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising an illumination fiber mounted to the operating portion of the shaft having a distal end positioned to project light in the field-of-view.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the cross-section area of the mounting means and optical assembly is less than about one-third of the cross-section area of the combined cross-section area of the operating portion of the shaft, the mounting means and the optical assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical instrument of claim 8 wherein the optical assembly includes an illumination fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the cross-section of the instrument at the operating portion of the shaft consists essentially of the shaft, a plurality of image fibers, an illumination fiber and the mounting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the shaft includes actuating means operatively coupled to the working element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes a tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes a groove defined by the shaft with a portion of the optical assembly being received in the groove.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The surgical instrument of claim 13 wherein the groove has a top opening and a bottom, the bottom being wider than the top opening.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The surgical instrument of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of the optical assembly is releasably received in the groove.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The surgical instrument of claim 14 wherein the optical assembly includes an elongated retaining member, the retaining member being received in the groove.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes a hole defined by the operating portion of the shaft proximal to the working element with a portion of the optical assembly extending at least partially through the hole.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The surgical instrument of claim 17 wherein a further portion of the optical assembly is mounted along the exterior of the shaft.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical assembly further comprises a second image fiber, the two image fibers being provided with an objective lens on their respective distal ends to provide two fields-of-view.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The surgical instrument of claim 19 wherein the first and second image fibers are connected to a single coupling means to simultaneously provide the fields-of-view to the viewing system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical instrument of claim 19 wherein the objective lenses have different focal lengths.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical instrument of claim 19 wherein the objective lenses are spaced longitudinally along the shaft.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes a groove defined by the shaft with a portion of the optical assembly being removably receivable in the groove.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the optical assembly is removably mounted to at least the shaft.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
176 words
A surgical instrument for use with a viewing system, comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having a handle on its proximal end, a proximal portion, a distal operating portion and including actuating means for manipulating tissue during the course of a surgical procedure, the distal operating portion being displaceable to alternative positions wherein the distal operating portion does not have the same axis as the proximal portion of the shaft; (b) a working element on the distal portion of the shaft and operably associated with the actuating means for manipulating tissue during the course of a surgical procedure; (c) an elongated flexible fiberoptic assembly mounted along the length of the shaft and extending from the handle, the assembly including a bundle of image fibers having a proximal end and a distal end with an objective lens mounted on the distal end of the image fibers for defining a predetermined field-of-view with at least a portion of the working element; and (d) coupling means at the proximal end of the image fibers for coupling to the viewing system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
176 words
A surgical instrument for use with a viewing system, comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having a handle on its proximal end, a proximal portion, a distal operating portion and including actuating means for manipulating tissue during the course of a surgical procedure, the distal operating portion being displaceable to alternative positions wherein the distal operating portion does not have the same axis as the proximal portion of the shaft; (b) a working element on the distal portion of the shaft and operably associated with the actuating means for manipulating tissue during the course of a surgical procedure; (c) an elongated flexible fiberoptic assembly mounted along the length of the shaft and extending from the handle, the assembly including a bundle of image fibers having a proximal end and a distal end with an objective lens mounted on the distal end of the image fibers for defining a predetermined field-of-view with at least a portion of the working element; and (d) coupling means at the proximal end of the image fibers for coupling to the viewing system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument of claim 25 wherein the fiberoptic assembly is at least partially received in the shaft.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The surgical instrument of claim 25 wherein the fiberoptic assembly is removably mounted on the shaft.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The surgical instrument of claim 25 wherein the fiberoptic assembly further comprises an illumination fiber.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The surgical instrument of claim 25 wherein the cross-section of the instrument at the operating portion of the shaft consists essentially of the shaft, the image fibers, and an illumination fiber.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of retro-fitting a surgical instrument with fiberoptics, comprising the steps of: (a) starting with an existing instrument including a shaft having a handle with an offset portion and a distal operating portion extending at least about one-third of the length of the shaft and a working element on the distal operating portion; (b) providing a fiberoptic assembly having image fibers with an objective lens mounted on the end of the image fibers and defining a field-of-view; (c) mounting a tube to the shaft; and (d) removably mounting a fiberoptic assembly to the shaft by the tube and onto the offset portion of the handle so that the fiberoptic assembly extends along substantially the entire length of the shaft, such that at least a portion of the working element is within the field-of-view and the tactile feedback of the surgical instrument is substantially unaffected.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
145 words
A method of retro-fitting a surgical instrument with fiberoptics, comprising the steps of: (a) starting with an existing instrument including a shaft having a handle with an offset portion and a distal operating portion extending at least about one-third of the length of the shaft and a working element on the distal operating portion; (b) providing a fiberoptic assembly having image fibers with an objective lens mounted on the end of the image fibers and defining a field-of-view; (c) mounting a tube to the shaft; and (d) removably mounting a fiberoptic assembly to the shaft by the tube and onto the offset portion of the handle so that the fiberoptic assembly extends along substantially the entire length of the shaft, such that at least a portion of the working element is within the field-of-view and the tactile feedback of the surgical instrument is substantially unaffected.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 30 wherein the mounting step includes applying a bonding agent to attach the fiberoptic assembly to the shaft.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of retro-fitting a surgical instrument with fiberoptics, comprising the steps of: (a) starting with an existing surgical instrument including a shaft having a distal operating portion extending at least about one-third of the length of the shaft and a working element on the distal operating portion; (b) providing a fiberoptic assembly having image fibers with an objective lens mounted on the end of the image fibers and defining a field-of-view; and (c) mounting the fiberoptic assembly to at least the distal operating portion of the shaft using a reference gauge to align the objective lens of the fiberoptic assembly with the working element, such that at least a portion of the working element is within the field-of-view and the tactile feedback of the surgical instrument is substantially unaffected.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of retro-fitting a surgical instrument with fiberoptics, comprising the steps of: (a) starting with an existing surgical instrument including a shaft having a distal operating portion extending at least about one-third of the length of the shaft and a working element on the distal operating portion; (b) providing a fiberoptic assembly having image fibers with an objective lens mounted on the end of the image fibers and defining a field-of-view; and (c) mounting the fiberoptic assembly to at least the distal operating portion of the shaft using a reference gauge to align the objective lens of the fiberoptic assembly with the working element, such that at least a portion of the working element is within the field-of-view and the tactile feedback of the surgical instrument is substantially unaffected.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the mounting step includes: (a) inserting at least the operating portion of the shaft and a portion of the fiberoptic assembly into a length of shrinkable tubing; and (b) shrinking the tubing to substantially couple the operating portion of the shaft with the fiberoptic assembly within and along the shrinkable tubing.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the mounting step includes cutting a groove in at least a portion of the shaft and positioning a portion of the fiberoptic assembly in the groove.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the fiberoptic assembly is releasably received in the groove.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the mounting step includes fitting a mounting device, comprising a substantially tubular body having a distal aperture at one end, a proximal aperture at the other, and an axial channel between the ends, to the operating portion of the surgical instrument.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 36 wherein the fitting step includes slidably adjusting the mounting device with respect to the operating portion of the surgical instrument.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of retrofitting a surgical instrument to carry fiberoptics, comprising the steps of: (a) starting with an existing surgical instrument including a shaft having a distal operating portion and a working element mounted on the distal operating portion; (b) drilling an opening in the distal operating portion adjacent the working element; (c) milling the shaft sufficiently to provide a groove extending on an outer surface of the shaft from the opening in a direction toward a proximal portion of the surgical instrument; and (d) coupling at least a portion of a fiberoptic assembly in the opening and the groove of the surgical instrument.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of retrofitting a surgical instrument to carry fiberoptics, comprising the steps of: (a) starting with an existing surgical instrument including a shaft having a distal operating portion and a working element mounted on the distal operating portion; (b) drilling an opening in the distal operating portion adjacent the working element; (c) milling the shaft sufficiently to provide a groove extending on an outer surface of the shaft from the opening in a direction toward a proximal portion of the surgical instrument; and (d) coupling at least a portion of a fiberoptic assembly in the opening and the groove of the surgical instrument.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the fiberoptic assembly has a field-of-view and the distal end of the fiberoptic assembly is inserted into the opening sufficiently to place at least a portion of the working element within the field-of-view, and a further portion of the fiberoptic assembly is coupled within the groove.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
193 words
A surgical instrument for use with a viewing system comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having proximal and distal portions with the proximal and distal portions having axes being displaceable with respect to each other; (b) a handle member mounted on the proximal portion of the shaft and offset from the shaft; (c) a working element disposed on the distal portion of the shaft for manipulating tissue during the course of a surgical procedure; (d) an elongated fiberoptic assembly including image fibers having a proximal end and a distal end with an objective lens mounted on the distal end of the image fibers for defining a predetermined field-of-view; (e) coupling means at the proximal end of the image fibers for coupling same to the viewing system; (f) a proximal mount mounting the fiberoptic assembly to the proximal potion of the shaft with the assembly extending along at least a portion of the handle member; and (g) a distal mount mounting the fiberoptic assembly to the distal portion of the shaft with the distal end of the image fibers positioned with a predetermined portion of the working element within the field-of-view of the fiberoptic assembly.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
193 words
A surgical instrument for use with a viewing system comprising: (a) an elongated shaft having proximal and distal portions with the proximal and distal portions having axes being displaceable with respect to each other; (b) a handle member mounted on the proximal portion of the shaft and offset from the shaft; (c) a working element disposed on the distal portion of the shaft for manipulating tissue during the course of a surgical procedure; (d) an elongated fiberoptic assembly including image fibers having a proximal end and a distal end with an objective lens mounted on the distal end of the image fibers for defining a predetermined field-of-view; (e) coupling means at the proximal end of the image fibers for coupling same to the viewing system; (f) a proximal mount mounting the fiberoptic assembly to the proximal potion of the shaft with the assembly extending along at least a portion of the handle member; and (g) a distal mount mounting the fiberoptic assembly to the distal portion of the shaft with the distal end of the image fibers positioned with a predetermined portion of the working element within the field-of-view of the fiberoptic assembly.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
11 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 wherein the shaft is bendable.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 wherein the proximal and distal mounts include a tube extending along the shaft.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 wherein the proximal mount includes a proximal tube extending along the proximal portion of the shaft and the distal mount includes a distal tube extending along the distal portion of the shaft.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical instrument of claim 43 wherein the proximal and distal tubes are spaced.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
38 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 wherein the proximal mount removably mounts the fiberoptic assembly to the proximal portion of the shaft, and the distal mount removably mounts the fiberoptic assembly to the distal portion of the shaft.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 wherein the proximal and distal mounts are coupled to the exterior of the shaft.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
17 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 wherein the fiberoptic assembly is also mounted on the handle member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 further including an illumination fiber mounted to the distal portion of the shaft having a distal end positioned to project light in the field-of-view.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 wherein the fiberoptic assembly includes an illumination fiber.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
18 words
The surgical instrument of claim 40 wherein the shaft includes actuating means operatively coupled to the working element.
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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) | 2000-09-15 | 2001-03-17 | 2001-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-15 | 2005-03-17 | 2005-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-15 | 2009-03-17 | 2009-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |