Forceps with locking mechanism
Inventors
Adkisson, Todd • Jungles, Luke T. • Kennedy, II, Kenneth C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11446014-B2
Publication Date
2022-09-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
A forceps is provided that includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis, first and second jaws slidably and pivotably connected to the housing, a first connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the first jaw, a second connection member having a first end pivotably attached to the second jaw; and a driver pivotably connected to the other ends of the first connection member and the second connection member, wherein the jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in a first direction rotates the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, wherein longitudinal movement of the driver in the first direction also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally along the longitudinal axis of the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration.
Core Innovation
A forceps includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis extending between proximal and distal ends of the housing, together with a first jaw and a second jaw pivotably connected to the housing. The first and second jaws have an open configuration and a closed configuration, and a driver is operably connected to the first and second jaws. Longitudinal movement of the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing rotates the first and second jaws toward the closed configuration.
The forceps further includes a connecting pin having a cross-section elongated in shape with at least one flattened edge and at least one curved edge. A first connection member has a first end pivotably connected to the first jaw, and a second connection member has a first end pivotably connected to the second jaw, with the driver connected to a second end of each connection member. During at least a portion of the movement from the open configuration to the closed configuration, at least one of the first and second connection members contacts the housing to urge the first and second jaws toward the closed configuration.
In the closed state, the described mechanism provides a locking interaction that prevents accidental reopening by a wedging of the links against the housing and a limited rotation determined by the geometry of an elongated cross-section connecting pin and complementary jaw openings. A second embodiment includes notches and/or protrusions on the jaws that cooperate with the housing to lock rotation in the closed configuration.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim is clm-00001. It defines the inventive framework using a driver that causes a coupled motion that rotates the jaws toward a closed configuration and uses connection members that contact the housing during that portion of the motion; the claim also specifies an elongated cross-section connecting pin with flattened and curved edges. Dependent refinements in the provided claim set include a wedging interaction in the closed configuration and a motion coupling in which both jaws are slidably connected so that proximal driver movement translates the jaws along the longitudinal axis.
Driver-induced rotation from open to closed configuration with housing contact
Longitudinal movement of the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing rotates the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration toward the closed configuration; during at least a portion of the movement, at least one of the first and second connection members contacts the housing to urge the first and second jaws toward the closed configuration.
Elongated cross-section connecting pin with flattened and curved edges
A connecting pin having a cross-section that is elongated in shape with at least one flattened edge and at least one curved edge.
Pivoted connection members driven through driver ends
A first connection member having a first end pivotably connected to the first jaw and a second connection member having a first end pivotably connected to the second jaw, wherein a driver is operably connected to a second end of the first connection member and a second end of the second connection member.
Wedging of connection members against the housing in the closed configuration
In the closed configuration, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second connection members is wedged against the housing.
Slidably connected jaws that translate along the housing longitudinal axis
Both the first and second jaws are slidably connected to the distal portion of the housing so that proximal longitudinal movement of the driver moves the jaws along the housing axis from an open configuration to a closed configuration.
Across the independent and dependent claims provided, the key coverage is directed to a forceps with a housing and two pivotably connected jaws whose closure is driven by a driver and executed via connection members that contact the housing during closure. Further refinements specify that the housing interaction includes wedging in the closed state and that both jaws may be slidably connected to translate along the housing longitudinal axis during proximal driver movement.
Stated Advantages
Provides locking of the jaws against accidental reopening via a wedging of the links against the housing and geometry-based limited rotation.
Documented Applications
Tissue biopsy using the forceps (including optional teeth/rat’s tooth/spike for biopsy).
Optional electrical cauterization of tissue using the forceps with electrified jaws.
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