Expanding polygonal surgical compressor

Claim 2

An instrument for use in endoscopic surgery for compressing tissue or organs comprising: a first planar frame having at least three articulated frame members extendable from a compressed configuration to a multi-sided substantially-planar configuration; a second planar frame having frame members corresponding to the frame members of the first frame; and the first and second frames being pivotally secured to each other about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the plane of each frame for movement of at least one of the frames from a substantially open position wherein the frames are at an angle with each other with the frame members in their extended configurations, in position to grip tissue, to a closed or tissue compressing position.

Claim 3

An instrument according to claim 1 wherein there are flat spring operated means for moving the frame members incrementally between the compressed and extended configurations.

Claim 4

An instrument according to claim 2 wherein the first and second frames each include a distal tip remote from the pivot axis, and wherein said first and second frames are angularly aligned relative to each other such that said first and second frames engage each other at the distal tips when the first and second frames are pivoted about the pivot axis before the remainders of the frames engage each other.

Claim 5

An instrument according to claim 1 wherein the first planar frame has at least four articulated frame members extendable from a compressed configuration to a multi-sided substantially-planar configuration, and wherein the two frame members most distal from the pivot axis are arcuate.

Claim 6

An instrument according to claim 4 wherein the first planar frame has a flexible coupling member pivotally secured to a pivot pin at the pivot axis.

Claim 7

An instrument for use in endoscopic surgery for compressing tissue or organs comprising: a first planar frame having at least three articulated frame members extendable from a compressed configuration to a multi-sided substantially-planar configuration; a second planar frame having frame members corresponding to the frame member of the first frame; the first and second frames being pivotally secured to each other about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the plane of each frame for movement of at least one of the frames from a substantially open position wherein the frames are at an angle with each other in position for gripping tissue to a closed tissue compressing position; manually operated means for moving at least one of the frames between the open and closed positions; and an urging means for moving both frames into their compressed configurations for inserting the instrument into and removing it from an incision in a patient.

Claim 8

An instrument for use in endoscopic surgery for compressing tissue or organs comprising: a first planar frame having at least three articulated frame members extendable from a compressed configuration to a multi-sided substantially-planar configuration; a second planar frame having frame members corresponding to the frame member of the first frame; the first and second frames being pivotally secured to each other about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the plane of each frame for movement of at least one of the frames from a substantially open position wherein the frames are at an angle with each other in position for gripping tissue to a closed tissue compressing position; manually operated means for moving at least one of the frames between the open and closed positions; and an urging means for moving both frames into their compressed configurations for inserting the instrument into and removing it from an incision in a patient.

Claim 9

An instrument according to claim 6 wherein said urging means comprises flat spring means for moving the frame members incrementally between the compressed and extended configurations.

Claim 10

An instrument according to claim 7 wherein the first and second frames each include a distal tip remote from the pivot axis, and wherein said first and second frames are angularly aligned relative to each other such that said first and second frames engage each other at the distal tips when the first and second frames are pivoted about the pivot axis before the remainders of the frames engage each other.

Claim 11

An instrument according to claim 6 wherein the first planar frame has at least four articulated frame members extendable from a compressed configuration to a multi-sided substantially-planar configuration, and wherein the two frame members most distal from the pivot axis are arcuate.

Claim 12

An instrument according to claim 9 wherein the first planar frame has a flexible coupling member pivotally secured to a pivot pin at the pivot axis.

Claim 13

An instrument for use in endoscopic surgery for compressing tissue or organs comprising: a substantially straight body formed along an axis; a first planar frame having at least three frame members, a first frame member extending from the body; the remaining frame members being angularly extendable from a compressed configuration to an extended configuration wherein the frame members form a substantially-planar enclosure; a second planar frame having frame members corresponding to those of the first frame; the second frame being hinged to the first frame about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the plane of each frame; manually operated means on the body for moving one of the first and second polygonal frames from an open position wherein the frames are at an angle with each other for gripping tissue to a closed position with the second frame substantially superposed on the first frame to compress tissue; and an urging means for moving both frames into their compressed configurations and, with the second frame in engagement with the said first frame, for inserting the instrument into and removing it from an incision in a patient.

Claim 14

An instrument for use in endoscopic surgery for compressing tissue or organs comprising: a substantially straight body formed along an axis; a first planar frame having at least three frame members, a first frame member extending from the body; the remaining frame members being angularly extendable from a compressed configuration to an extended configuration wherein the frame members form a substantially-planar enclosure; a second planar frame having frame members corresponding to those of the first frame; the second frame being hinged to the first frame about a pivot axis substantially parallel to the plane of each frame; manually operated means on the body for moving one of the first and second polygonal frames from an open position wherein the frames are at an angle with each other for gripping tissue to a closed position with the second frame substantially superposed on the first frame to compress tissue; and an urging means for moving both frames into their compressed configurations and, with the second frame in engagement with the said first frame, for inserting the instrument into and removing it from an incision in a patient.

Claim 15

An instrument according to claim 11 wherein, and wherein the two frame members most distal from the pivot axis are arcuate flat spring operated means for moving the frame members incrementally between the compressed and extended configurations.

Claim 16

An instrument according to claim 12 wherein the first and second frames each include a distal tip remote from the pivot axis, and wherein said first and second frames are angularly aligned relative to each other such that said first and second frames engage each other at the distal tips when the first and second frames are pivoted about the pivot axis before the remainders of the frames engage each other.

Claim 17

An instrument according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the said remaining frame members is pivotally connected to the said first frame member.

Claim 18

An instrument according to claim 11 wherein at least two of the said remaining frame members are pivoted relative to each other.

Claim 19

An instrument according to claim 11 wherein the first planar frame has at least four articulated frame members extendable from a compressed configuration to a substantially-planar configuration, and wherein the two frame members most distal from the pivot axis are arcuate.

Claim 20

An instrument according to claim 1 wherein the first planar frame has a flexible coupling member pivotally secured to a pivot pin at the pivot axis.