Forceps with replaceable tips
Inventors
GREENLEE, Joshua • von Bueren, Erico • Sheppard, Robert Jeffrey
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11719604-B2
Publication Date
2023-08-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
Handheld forceps comprising: a body comprising trunk and a first arm and a second arm extending from a base of the trunk coupled at one end and separated from one another at a second end; a rod disposed in the body, the rod comprising a first end positioned in the first arm and a second end positioned in the second arm and forming an apex in the trunk; a compression spring disposed around the apex of the rod in the trunk; and a button coupled to the apex of the rod and protruding through an opening in the trunk. Also a method of using the handheld forceps.
Core Innovation
A handheld forceps is provided for pathology grossing that includes replaceable/disposable tips at grasping ends. The forceps includes a body with a trunk and a first arm and a second arm extending from a base of the trunk and separated from one another at a second end.
A rod is disposed in the body, with a first end positioned in the first arm and a second end positioned in the second arm while forming an apex in the trunk. A compression spring is disposed around the apex of the rod in the trunk, and a button is coupled to the apex of the rod and protrudes through an opening in the trunk.
Depressing the button moves the rod to eject/displace the tips from the arms without direct contact, and releasing the button allows spring return to enable tip reinstallation. Orientation features are described to align tips with the grasping ends, including a tab or key and a mating groove, and example replaceable tips are described as serrated tips and grossing tips.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a handheld forceps structure with a rod-apex compression spring and a button that protrudes through a trunk opening to move the rod and eject/displace replaceable/disposable tips from arm grasping ends. Dependent claims further refine internal trunk/spring stop geometry, two-position rod function for accepting versus separating tips, and button-depressed rod movement. A further independent method claim is directed to pushing tips onto the arms and depressing the button to disengage the tips.
Handheld forceps with rod apex and compression spring
A body comprising trunk, a first arm, and a second arm; a rod disposed in the body with a first end positioned in the first arm and a second end positioned in the second arm forming an apex in the trunk; a compression spring disposed around the apex of the rod in the trunk; and a button coupled to the apex of the rod and protruding through an opening in the trunk.
Trunk shelf spring stop and button placement
The trunk includes an internal volume defined by an end opening and a shelf; the compression spring contacts the shelf; and the button is disposed around the spring.
Two-position rod for accepting and separating tips
A rod is movable between a first position to accept tips at first and second ends via the arms and a second position that separates the tip from the corresponding end.
Comparative rod displacement in separating position
In the second position, both ends of the rod are positioned farther from the respective ends of the first and second arms than in the first position.
Button-depressed rod movement between positions
The rod is movable from a first position to a second position by depressing a button toward an opening in the trunk.
Method of pushing tips onto arms and disengaging via button
A method using handheld forceps that pushes a first tip onto a first arm and a second tip onto a second arm, then depresses a button to move a rod so the first and second tips are disengaged off their respective arms.
Overall coverage centers on a handheld forceps having a rod with an apex in a trunk and a compression spring around the apex, where a button protruding through a trunk opening moves the rod to eject/displace tips from the arms. Dependent claims further define trunk shelf spring stop structure and refine rod operation into a two-position acceptance versus separation function, including relative rod placement in the separated position and button-depressed triggering. A method claim covers pushing tips onto the arms and depressing the button to disengage them.
Stated Advantages
Enables ejection/displacement of replaceable/disposable tips from the arms by depressing the button without direct contact.
Allows spring return to enable tip reinstallation.
Documented Applications
Pathology grossing using handheld thumb forceps with replaceable/disposable tips.
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