Uterine elevator and manipulator

Abstract

A medical instrument employs an elongated hollow sleeve open at both ends and an elongated bar slidable in the sleeve with opposite ends disposed outside the sleeve. A cup is secured to the midpoint of a first linkage and is disposed at right angles thereto. One end of the first linkage is secured pivotally to one end of the bar. The other end of the first linkage has a probe thereat. A second linkage is pivotally secured at one end to the cup and linkage and is pivotally secured at its other end to the end of the sleeve adjacent the one end of the bar. The other end of the bar is secured to a handle.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a medical instrument which can be used by gynocologists and other medical specialists for uterine manipulation during laperoscopy, tubal ligation and the like.

To this end, the instrument, which is formed from suitable non corrosive material such as stainless steel, employs an elongated hollow sleeve open at both ends. An elongated bar is slidable in the sleeve and has opposite ends disposed outside the sleeve.

A first linkage has a probe at one end and is pivotally secured at its other end to one end of the bar. A second linkage is pivotally secured at one end to the first linkage at a point intermediate its ends. The other end of the second linkage is secured pivotally to the end of the sleeve adjacent the first linkage.

A handle is secured to the other end of the bar. The handle can have an elongated slot, aligned with the bar and extending in the same direction, which is adapted to detachably engage the post of a stabilizing platform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows the instrument in storage position;

FIG. 2 shows the instrument ready for use; and

FIG. 3 shows a stabilization platform for use with the instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the instrument, which is formed entirely from stainless steel or other material conventionally used in surgical instruments, includes an elongated hollow sleeve 10 having opposite open ends 12 and 14.

An elongated bar 16 extends slidably in the sleeve with opposite ends 18 and 20 disposed outside the sleeve. An elongated handle 22 with a transverse protective strip 24 is secured by rivets 26 or the like to end 20. The handle contains an elongated slot 28 aligned with the bar and extending in the same direction.

End 14 of sleeve 10 carries a thumb rest 30 with a transverse finger support strip 32. A thumb screw 34 for locking the bar in position in the sleeve is secured to the sleeve adjacent rest 30.

A linkage 36 has a probe 38 at one end and is pivotally secured at its other end, as shown at 40, to end 18 of bar 16.

A circular cup 42 has a central opening through which linkage 36 extends, prong 38 and the linkage being generally at right angles to the cup.

Another linkage 44 is pivotally secured at one end to the base of the cup as shown at 46 and is pivotally secured at its other end to tab 48 at end 12 of the sleeve.

In use, the bar is slid in the sleeve to pivot the probe to a position at right angles to bar and sleeve (FIG. 2) and then the bar is locked in position in the sleeve. For storage, the bar is released and the probe returned to the position in FIG. 1.

A stabilizing platform can have a horizontal base 50 with a vertical post 52 having vertically spaced holes 54.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Claims

Having thus described this invention, what is asserted as new is:

1. A medical instrument comprising:

an elongated hollow sleeve open at both ends;

an elongated bar disposed slidably in the sleeve with opposite ends disposed outside the sleeve;

a handle secured to one end of the bar;

a first linkage having a probe at one end and pivotally secured at its other end to the other end of the bar;

a second linkage pivotally secured at one end to the end of the sleeve adjacent the other end of the bar and at the other end to a point on the first linkage intermediate probe and sleeve; and

a cup disposed at right angles to the first linkage, said cup being secured to said first linkage at said point.

2. The instrument of claim 1 further including a locking screw on the sleeve adjacent the handle for locking the bar in desired position in the sleeve.

3. The instrument of claim 2 further including a thumb rest on the sleeve disposed intermediate the screw and the handle.

4. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the handle has an elongated slot aligned with the bar and extending in the longitudinal direction, said slot being adapted to engage the post of a stabilizing platform.