Forceps having removable tips
Inventors
Joshi, Sharad H. • Moniz, Michael • BENTWOOD, Michael • Radcliffe, Alan • Nimkar, Shekhar
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11135005-B2
Publication Date
2021-10-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
An electronic forceps system includes a handle including a pair of pivotable arms distally extending from a proximal end of the handle, at least one arm of the pair of arms having an electrically-conductive arm element connectable to a power source, wherein each arm of the pair of arms comprises a respective pair of arm interfaces, and the electrically-conductive arm element extends to at least one interface of the pair of interfaces. Also provided is a pair of tips, at least one tip of the pair of tips having an electrically-conductive tip element, wherein each tip has a tip interface configured to removably connect to a respective arm interface, each tip has a distal working surface, the electrically-conductive tip element is configured to removably and electrically connect to the electrically-conductive arm element, the electrically-conductive tip element is connected to a heater.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electronic forceps system for thermal cautery that includes a handle with a pair of arms pivoting at a hinge and configured to maintain tip alignment. The hinge is configured to prevent torqueing and includes a metal frame having a tweezer shape with an overmolded sheath covering the metal frame. At least one arm includes an electrically-conductive arm element connectable to a power source via an arm interface that defines a socket with a wire connection.
The system further includes a pair of tips for thermal cautery, where at least one tip includes an electrically-conductive tip element connected to a heater on a distal working surface. Each tip includes a tip interface at its proximal end configured to fit into the socket of the arm interface such that the distal working surface extends beyond the arm interface while remaining axially aligned with each arm. The tip interfaces are configured to removably connect to corresponding arm interfaces and provide an electrical connection between the power source and the electrically-conductive tip element via a wire connection within the socket.
The disclosed embodiments emphasize mechanical and electrical separability through removable tip connections that maintain axial and precise alignment while enabling electrical continuity to the heaters. Switch actuation is magnetically actuated to control heater power based on arm motion without physical sensor contact, including embodiments using a magnetic reed switch. Additional embodiments describe tip attachment and alignment mechanisms such as press-fit connections, removable connections using attachment tabs/slots and guide pins, and a tip alignment device with upper and lower channels, pins/sockets, and movable cam locks.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides three independent claims: clm-00001, clm-00023, and clm-00033. Across these claims, the inventive features are directed to pivoting forceps handles with electrically conductive arm elements and removable tip interfaces maintaining alignment, electrically heated cautery tips with conductive tip elements connected through arm/tip sockets, and optional magnetically actuated switching and tip alignment structures that support reliable removable assembly.
Pivoting tweezer-shaped handle with overmolded electrically and fluidically insulative sheath
A handle comprising a pair of arms distally extending from a hinge at a proximal end of the handle, the pair of arms configured to pivot towards and away from each other at the hinge, the hinge configured to prevent torqueing of the handle and maintain tip alignment and comprising a metal frame having a tweezer shape with an overmolded sheath covering the metal frame.
Electrically-conductive arm element extending to arm interface socket wire connection
At least one arm of the pair of arms having an electrically-conductive arm element connectable to a power source, wherein each arm of the pair of arms includes an arm interface defining a socket, the electrically-conductive arm element includes a wire connection within the socket, and the electrically-conductive arm element extends to at least one arm interface of the pair of arm interfaces.
Removably connectable tip interface that fits into socket while keeping axial alignment
A pair of tips, at least one tip of the pair of tips having an electrically-conductive tip element, wherein each tip comprises a tip interface at a proximal end configured to fit into the socket of the arm interface such that the distal working surface extends beyond the arm interface and the distal working surface of each tip remains axially aligned with each arm, the tip interface also configured to removably connect to a respective arm interface.
Electrically-conductive tip element connected to heater on distal working surface via socket wire connection
The electrically-conductive tip element configured to removably and electrically connect to the electrically-conductive arm element via a wire connection within the socket that enables an electrical connection between the power source and the electrically-conductive tip element, and the electrically-conductive tip element is connected to a heater on the distal working surface.
Forceps handpiece with pivoting arms and arm interfaces that mechanically connect to tip interfaces
A forceps handpiece comprising a handle comprising a hinge and formed of a metal frame having a tweezer shape with an overmolded sheath covering the metal frame, a pair of arms distally extending from the handle and configured to pivot towards and away from each other, at least one arm having an electrically-conductive arm element connectable to a power source, wherein each arm comprises a respective pair of arm interfaces defining a socket, the electrically-conductive arm element extends to at least one interface of the pair of arm interfaces including a wire connection within the socket enabling electrical connection to the power source, and each arm interface configured to mechanically connect to a respective tip interface of a pair of tips via the socket with a working surface extending beyond the arm interface.
Arm interface electrically connects to heater on distal working surface via arm element
At least one arm interface configured to electrically connect to a heater on a distal working surface of a respective at least one tip of the pair of tips via the arm element.
Forceps tip system with removably press-fit tip interfaces and socket wire connection for electrical path
A forceps tip system comprising a pair of tips, a pair of tip interfaces respectively located at a proximal end of the pair of tips configured to removably connect to a socket of a respective pair of arm interfaces of a respective pair of arms of a forceps handle with a press-fit that maintains the pair of tip interfaces in the socket, at least one tip interface including a wire connection within the socket that enables an electrical connection between a respective tip and a respective arm.
Heater located on distal working surface electrically connected to electrically-conductive tip element
An electrically-conductive tip element located on at least one tip configured to electrically connect to a respective at least one arm interface of the pair of arm interfaces, and a heater located on the at least one working surface of the pair of working surfaces and electrically connected to the electrically-conductive tip element.
Across clm-00001, clm-00023, and clm-00033, the coverage centers on an electronic thermal cautery forceps architecture in which pivoting, tweezer-shaped overmolded handles provide electrically conductive arm elements that route electrical connections through arm-interface sockets, while removable tip interfaces fit into the sockets to keep distal working surfaces axially aligned and to connect electrically conductive tip elements to heaters on the distal working surfaces. The dependent material in the partial content further indicates magnetically actuated switching based on arm motion and additional mechanical tip alignment/attachment structures supporting removable assembly.
Stated Advantages
Maintain tip alignment by preventing torqueing of the handle.
Maintain axial alignment of the distal working surface of each tip with each arm when the tips are removably connected to the arm interfaces.
Provide an electrical connection between the power source and the electrically-conductive tip element through wire connections within the socket.
Control heater power based on arm motion using a magnetically actuated switch without physical contact between sensors.
Documented Applications
Thermal cautery using an electronic forceps system with electrically heated tips.
Use of a forceps handpiece for thermal cautery with electrically heated working surfaces.
Use of a forceps tip system with heaters on distal working surfaces for thermal cautery.
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