Forceps with locking mechanism
Inventors
Adkisson, Todd • Jungles, Luke T. • Kennedy, II, Kenneth C.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12290248-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of engaging tissue is provided. The method includes: providing a forceps including a housing, a first jaw and a second jaw slidably and pivotably connected to a distal portion of the housing, and a driver; advancing the forceps in a closed configuration through a body lumen until the forceps are near a target tissue site; moving the driver in a distal direction relative to the housing to move the first and second jaws to an open configuration; positioning the first and second jaws adjacent to the target tissue site; and securing a tissue sample within the first and second jaws by moving the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing to rotate the first and second jaws relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, which also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally in a proximal direction.
Core Innovation
A lockable endoscopic forceps is provided for engaging tissue. The forceps includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis extending between proximal and distal ends, and first and second jaws slidably and pivotably connected to a distal portion of the housing via a connecting pin. Each jaw includes an opening having a first portion and a second portion with different shapes.
The forceps further includes first and second connection members, each pivotably attached to a respective jaw, and a driver pivotably connected to second ends of the connection members. Advancing the forceps in a closed configuration through a body lumen positions the jaws near a target tissue site, and moving the driver in a distal direction relative to the housing moves the jaws to an open configuration for positioning adjacent to the target site.
Securing a tissue sample is performed by moving the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing to rotate the first and second jaws with respect to the connecting pin from the open configuration toward the closed configuration. As the driver moves proximally, the jaws also translate longitudinally with respect to the connecting pin along the second portions of the openings, and when the connecting pin is at least partially disposed within the second portions, the jaws are prevented from fully rotating between the open configuration and the closed configuration.
The closing step can include connection members contacting housing to urge the jaws toward the closed configuration, and in the closed configuration at least a portion of at least one connection member can be wedged against the housing, thereby constraining jaw motion.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes one independent claim. It contains multiple inventive features centered on a lockable endoscopic forceps architecture and a driver-based sequence that constrains jaw rotation during tissue sample securing.
Forceps with housing, internal passageway, and longitudinal axis
The forceps includes a housing defining an internal passageway and a longitudinal axis extending between proximal and distal ends of the housing.
First jaw with differently shaped opening portions
A first jaw slidably and pivotably connected to a distal portion of the housing via a connecting pin, wherein the first jaw comprises a first opening including a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion and the second portion of the first opening have different shapes.
Second jaw with differently shaped opening portions
A second jaw slidably and pivotably connected to the distal portion of the housing via the connecting pin, wherein the second jaw comprises a second opening including a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion and the second portion of the second opening have different shapes.
Pivotable first and second connection members and driver
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 a second end of the first connection member and a second end of the second connection member.
Advance in closed configuration to target site
Advancing the forceps in a closed configuration through a body lumen until the forceps are near a target tissue site.
Distal driver movement opens jaws
Moving the driver in a distal direction relative to the housing to move the first and second jaws to an open configuration.
Position jaws adjacent to target site
Positioning the first and second jaws adjacent to the target tissue site.
Proximal driver movement secures sample and constrains rotation via connecting pin
Securing a tissue sample within the first and second jaws by moving the driver in a proximal direction relative to the housing to rotate the first and second jaws with respect to the connecting pin when the connecting pin is disposed within the first portions of the first and second openings and relative to the housing from the open configuration towards the closed configuration, wherein movement of the driver in the proximal direction also moves the first and second jaws longitudinally with respect to the connecting pin along the second portions of the first and second openings in the proximal direction along the longitudinal axis of the housing, and wherein when the connecting pin is at least partially disposed within the second portions of the first and second openings, the first and second jaws are prevented from fully rotating between the open configuration and the closed configuration.
Across the independent claim, the core coverage is a forceps whose jaws include openings with first and second portions of different shapes, together with a driver and connection members that open the jaws and then close and lock them by rotating and longitudinally translating the jaws while using the connecting pin’s position to prevent full rotation between open and closed configurations.
Stated Advantages
The jaws are prevented from fully rotating between the open configuration and the closed configuration when the connecting pin is at least partially disposed within the second portions of the first and second openings.
During closing, at least one of the first or second connection members can contact the housing to urge the jaws toward the closed configuration.
In the closed configuration, at least a portion of at least one of the first and second connection members can be wedged against the housing.
Documented Applications
Biopsy use in which jaws are delivered in a closed configuration, opened to position adjacent to a target tissue site, and then closed to secure and remove a tissue sample.
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