U.S. patent number RE36,666 [Application Number 08/319,434] was granted by the patent office on 2000-04-18 for micro-instrument.
This patent grant is currently assigned to TNCO, Inc.. Invention is credited to by Roger M. Burke, legal representative, Roger M. Burke, George P. Honkanen, deceased, Paul C. Weaver.
United States Patent |
RE36,666 |
Honkanen, deceased , et
al. |
April 18, 2000 |
Micro-instrument
Abstract
A microsurgical instrument with opposing jaws rotatable relative
to one another using a pivot integral to a frame comprising one jaw
for rotating the other jaw and a linkage to push one jaw rotatably
towards the other jaw wherein a distal-most surface of that jaw
pushes against a surface of jaw to be moved.
Inventors: |
Honkanen, deceased; George P.
(late of North Scituate, MA), Burke, legal representative; by
Roger M. (Weston, MA), Burke; Roger M. (Weston, MA),
Weaver; Paul C. (Bridgewater, MA) |
Assignee: |
TNCO, Inc. (Whitman,
MA)
|
Family
ID: |
24119038 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/319,434 |
Filed: |
October 6, 1994 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
531785 |
May 31, 1990 |
05152780 |
Oct 6, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
606/205; 600/564;
606/174 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
17/29 (20130101); A61B 17/1608 (20130101); A61B
2017/2939 (20130101); A61B 2017/294 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
17/28 (20060101); A61B 17/32 (20060101); A61B
017/28 () |
Field of
Search: |
;606/51,52,174,205-211
;128/750-755 ;604/22 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Buiz; Michael
Assistant Examiner: Lewis; William
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Chow; Stephen Y. Perkins, Smith
& Cohen,LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A miniature articulated tip tool for micro-surgical, medical and
like uses, comprising:
(a) means defining an articulated tip with at least one pivotable
element and a sole pivot element therefor with a range of movement
of said tip between extended and retracted positions for effecting
selective user controlled pivotal working movements, the said tip
defining means comprising at least one fixed wall with an extension
thereof formed together in one piece and serving as said pivot
element;
(b) means defining a user control handle-actuating system; and
(c) means defining an elongated linkage between the
handle-actuating system and the articulable tip pivotable member
and a channel including such elongated linkage.
2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the tip has a construction of two
side walls with said pivot constituting a one piece extension of
both.
3. The tool of claim 2 wherein said sidewalls are essentially
parallel and the one-piece pivot has essentially an hour glass
form.
4. The tool of claim 1 wherein said pivotable element has a hook
opening conforming to the pivot.
5. An endoscopic surgical instrument, comprising:
(a) means defining an articulated tip with at least one pivotable
element and a sole pivot element therefor with a range of movement
of said tip between extended and retracted positions for effecting
selective user controlled pivotal working movements, the said tip
defining means comprising at least one fixed wall with an extension
thereof formed together in one piece serving as said pivot element,
and the one-piece pivot having essentially an hour glass form;
(b) means defining a user control handle-actuating system; and
(c) means defining an elongated linkage between the
handle-actuating system and the articulable tip pivotable member
and a channel including such elongated linkage.
6. A grasper for micro-surgical, medical and like uses,
comprising:
(a) means defining an articulated tip with at least one pivotable
element and a sole pivot element therefor with a range of movement
of said tip between extended and retracted positions for effecting
selective user controlled pivotal working movements, the said tip
defining means comprising at least one fixed wall with an extension
thereof formed together in one piece serving as said pivot
element;
(b) means defining a user control handle-actuating system;
(c) means defining an elongated linkage between the
handle-actuating system and the articulable tip pivotable member
and a channel including such elongated linkage. .Iadd.
7. A miniature articulated tip tool assembly comprising:
(a) means defining an articulated tip with at least one pivotable
element and a sole pivot element therefor with a range of movement
of said tip between extended and retracted positions for effecting
selective user controlled pivotal working movements;
(b) means defining a user controlled handle-actuating system;
and
(c) means defining an elongated linkage between the
handle-actuating system proximally and the articulable tip
pivotable element distally and a channel medially including such
elongated linkage such that a distal-most surface of said linkage
transmits force directly to a surface of said articulable tip
pivotable element to pivot said pivotable element to move said tip
into said extended position..Iaddend..Iadd.8. The tool of claim 7
wherein said tip defining means comprises at least one fixed wall
with an extension thereof formed together in one piece and serving
as said pivot element..Iaddend..Iadd.9. The tool of claim 8 wherein
the tip has a construction of two side walls with said pivot
constituting a one piece extension of both..Iaddend..Iadd.10. The
tool of claim 9 wherein said sidewalls are essentially parallel and
the one-piece pivot has essentially
an hour glass form..Iaddend..Iadd.11. A medical instrument
comprising:
a tubular extension having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and a
proximal end;
a movable end effector pivotally attached by a pivot to said distal
end of said tubular extension; and
a drive member located within the tubular extension and capable of
moving between a first proximal position and a second distal
position within said tubular extension,
said drive member having an arm pivotally attached by a pin and
hole attachment to said movable end effector, said arm having a
distal-most end surface for transferring force directly to said
movable end effector causing said movable end effector to rotate
about said pivot toward said longitudinal axis..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to micro-instrumentation, i.e.
articulating hand held instruments used in micro-surgery,
electronic micro-assembly and like applications, for grasping,
cutting, punching out, probing, etc. The instruments can comprise
scissor-handle-actuators, so-called cigar handle linear or rotary
activators, or other actuators, with push or pull force application
design modes.
The following discussion of the invention focusses on instruments
required for endoscopic usage (minimally invasive procedures) and
more particularly punches, scissors and graspers used in
temporal-mandibular joint (TMJ) surgery. However, the invention is
also applicable to other surgical instruments and non-surgical
instruments.
Recent generations of enhanced miniaturization of endoscopic
instruments have encountered the structural limits of thin
cross-sections. As the tip area of such instruments is reduced, the
likelihood of breakage and/or the need to reduce applied force
becomes evident. The high strength and toughness of advanced metal
alloys have not overcome this problem.
It is a principal object of the invention to provide
micro-instruments of the classes described above of superior
strength. It is a further object of the present invention to
provide micro-instruments of the classes described above with
reduced tip cross-section dimensions with a rigidity, stability and
low vulnerability to breakage heretofore found only in larger
instruments.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide
micro-instruments of the classes described above with a
characteristic that upon a breakage while in use, there is minimal
probability of pieces separating from the main body of the
instrument.
It is a further and related object of the invention to enable a new
level of miniaturization of such instruments and to enable the
existence of interlocking type graspers at such new level (as well
as punches, scissors and other cutters).
It is a further object of the invention to achieve the previous
objects with ease of manufacturability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objects of the invention are realized through the invention's
provision of the said instruments in a miniaturized form with
articulating handle means (of rod or scissors grip forms or other
forms) and elongated probe means extending therefrom, with an
elongated actuating linkage portion and a tip portion at the probe
end distal from the handle.
The handle portion is, per se, of conventional form.
The actuating linkage preferrably comprises a shaft fixedly mounted
from the handle, with a longitudinal groove or hole receiving an
actuating rod and mounting the tip portion at the distal end of the
shaft.
The tip portion comprises an assembly of relatively moveable
components usually defined as an inner tip and outer tip. As
applied to a surgical punch, the inner tip literally moves within
an envelope largely defined by an outer tip. As to scissors and the
like the nomenclature is more arbitrary. Generally, the "inner" tip
moves while the "outer" tip is stationary although in some
applications the reverse or both can move. The tip assembly is
operated to excise tissue in bits, to separate one piece of tissue
from another, to grasp and/or manipulate and/or remove particulate
matter. The tip assembly has a pivotal mounting with a fixed shaft
extension of the outer tip integrally formed therewith. The
articulating inner tip has a groove seating on the shaft extension
to define the pivotal mount. An actuating linkage extends from an
actuating system in the handle through an elongated channel of the
probe and terminating in a connection at the inner tip offset from
the pivotal mount to provide a levering articulation motion to the
inner tip forward and back between `upper` and `lower` positions.
In case of breakage in use, each of the inner and outer tip retains
its basic shape and neither generates small break-off pieces.
Further, the inner and outer tip retain their assembly to each
other and assembled to the probe relationships and a significant
degree of their operability.
The invention accommodates the direct articulating drive to the
inner tip as well as related actions of proper use, e.g. twisting
and pulling or pushing of the instrument as a whole, and improper
uses.
Positive stops are provided to prevent the inner tip from escaping
from its nested relation with the outer tip.
The integral pivot extension of the outer tip which forms the pivot
mount preferrably has an hour-glass shape which does not weaken the
adjacent outer tip wall(s), but rather enhances strength and
rigidity of the same. The integral pivot enables thinner wall
sections of the outer tip and shaving the design of `upper` and
`lower` edges (hereinafter shown) of the outer tip to be closer to
the pivot center and maximize engagement of tissue or other
material or objects to be grasped.
Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1 and 2 are side and top views of a probe end of a preferred
embodiment of the invention applied to a punch utilization with a
supplementary diagram (FIG. 1A showing the relative position of
fixed and moveable pivots). A cross-section partial top view FIG.
1B showing fixed pivot detail is based on a section taken as
indicated by arrows D--D in FIG. 1A. A sectioned assembly portion
FIG. 2A showing moveable pivot detail is based on a section per
arrows E--E in FIG. 1A. An additional sectioned assembly, FIG. 2B,
displays the inner tip positioned within the outer tip and shows
the moveable actuator link nested in the inner tip recess. This
view is based on section F--F of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2C shows the
moveable actuator link nested in the outer tip slot and is
indicated by arrows B--B in FIG. 2. In FIG. 1 the inner tip is
shown in the partially open position with an adjacent arrow
indicating the relative range of motion.
FIGS. 3 and 3B are side views of the instrument's handle portion in
open and closed positions. FIG. 3 shows the handle and front end
assembled in open position. FIG. 3A displays perpendicular slots
which retain the actuator and drive pin assembly in the handle and
is based on arrows G--G in FIG. 3B. FIG. 4 and 5 show top views of
outer tip variants for the scissor and grabber useage embodiment
respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The side view/top view assembly drawings of FIGS. 1-2 (and
ancillary views FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C including sections and
views taken as indicated at A--A in FIG. 2 for FIG. 1, B--B for
FIG. 2C, View C in FIG. 1 for FIG. 1a, D--D and E--E of FIG. A for
FIGS. 1B and 2A and F--F of FIG. 1A for FIG. 2B) show an endoscopic
punch of a type used in TMJ surgical procedures. The punch has an
elongated probe 8 (FIG. 2) with an outer tip 12 of U-shape form
with an end 14 and sidewalls 16 and 18 with upper and lower cutting
edges 16E and 18E (FIG. 1) and an integral pivot 20 of essentially
hourglass form integrally formed with and bridging the walls 16 and
18. An inner tip 22 is mounted on the pivot for rotation as
indicated by the double arrow shown in FIG. 1 between an open
position (FIG. 1) and a closed position nested within the outer
tip. A channel or slot 24 of the inner tip seats on the integral
pivot of the outer tip. The channel is shaped with a negative
hourglass at its base to conform to the positive hourglass form of
the integral pivot 20. The internal centerlines of the positive and
negative hourglass forms are coincident. The inner tip's range of
arcuate movement brings its upper face to bear on surface 25 of the
outer tip. Ramp surface 25 is dimensioned to allow necessary
opening rotary motion, but restrict disengagement linear motion of
the pivot elements.
The upper portion of the inner tip, above the channel, has a
cross-hole 29. This cross hole accommodates a pivot 30 that is an
integral pivot extension of a linearly moveable actuating link 26,
moveable as indicated by arrow M, riding in a channel 28 and
coupled to the inner tip by said pivot 30 that passes through hole
29 in the tip, to drive the inner tip between end positions.
The inner tip has a cut out recess 32 to accommodate the rounded
end of link 26. As shown in FIGS. 2B, 2A, 1A and 1 the linear
movement of link 26 is transmitted via pivot 30 to the inner tip to
move the inner tip through an arc of up to 90 degrees. The inner
tip recess includes a front wall 34 that absorbs part of the
actuating force applied through link 26 as inner tip 22 is moved
counter clockwise against resistant tissue.
At the handle end, stopping is also controlled by a stop block 44
(FIG. 2) on link 26, moveable for distance M between stop faces 46
and 48 of a wide cutout or slot in the bottom of channel 28. A
bushing 50 carries probe 8. The bushing is, in turn, encased in a
handle assembly 52 (FIG. 3) comprising a thumb loop 54 and a finger
loop 56 pivoted at fulcrum 60. The top of the finger loop above the
fulcrum has an axial slot 56-1 (FIG. 3A) and cross slots 56-2, 56-3
forming a fork to receive a cross pin 27 (FIG. 2) through the
actuating linkage, thus allowing movement of the finger loop to
impart driving force M to the actuator linkage.
FIG. 4 is a partial top view of the outer tip end 4-12 of an
alternative scissors embodiment with side walls 4-16 and 4-18
bridged by an integral pivot 4-20, exemplifying the strengthening
ability of this basic pivot. An "inner" tip mounts on the pivot in
the same manner as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5 is a partial top
view of the outer tip end 5-12 of an alternative grabber embodiment
with side walls 5-16 and 5-18 bridged by an integral pivot 5-20. An
"inner" tip mounts on the pivot in the same manner as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2.
In manufacture, the integral pivot 20 can be made by profiling with
a ball end mill cutter into the metal stock of a solid outer tip
blank, the cutter being advanced in the directions indicated by
arrows M1 and M2 in FIG. 1A. The cut-out area up to surface 25
allows entry of a cutter advanced as indicated by arrow M2 and also
allows for inner tip 22 assembly/disassembly with respect to outer
tip 12 and pivot 20.
The machine integral pivot shares the metallurgical and
strength/toughness characteristics of side walls 16 and 18 of the
outer tip 12, whereas welding and other attachment methods would
alter and undermine such characteristics within a pivot-tip
assembly. The machined integral pivot has, as a natural part of its
design, a strength enhancing fillet form at its joinders with the
side walls which would not be feasible in a micro-welded
construction.
It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that other
embodiments, improvements, details, and uses can be made consistent
with the letter and spirit of the foregoing disclosure and within
the scope of this patent, which is limited only by the following
claims, construed in accordance with the patent law, including the
doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *