Endoscopic instrument with bi-laterally widened cam-slot at end effector
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-8690909-B2
Publication Date
2014-04-08
Expiration Date
Abstract
An endoscopic instrument includes a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, a clevis at the distal end of the tubular member, and an end effector assembly mounted on the clevis. A control member extends through the tubular member and includes a cam-pin coupled to the distal end thereof. The end effectors are controlled with a cam-pin and cam-slot arrangement, with the end effectors including the cam-slot and such cam-slot having a proximal end slot bilaterally widened to permit the cam-pin additional movement therein. When the cam-pin is retracted to move the end effectors into a closed positions and then further retracted into the bilaterally widened area, the end effectors can rotate together in the same direction to facilitate movement through a rigid bend in an endoscope.
Core Innovation
An endoscopic instrument is provided for use with an endoscope having a working channel. The instrument includes a tubular member having proximal and distal ends defining a longitudinal axis, and a control member extending through the tubular member and movable relative to each other by a proximal handle assembly. A cam-pin coupled to the distal end of the control member interacts with a cam-slot on rotatably mounted end effectors carried by a clevis coupled to the distal end of the tubular member.
Each end effector includes a cam-slot having a longitudinal extension defined by first and second parallel sides and a proximal bilateral widening. The cam-pin rides in close tolerance with the longitudinal extension to define a non-giving assembly of the end effectors about the clevis for any given location of the cam-pin within the longitudinal extension. Longitudinal displacement of the cam-pin within the longitudinal extensions effects movement of the end effectors between open and closed positions in which the non-giving assembly requires defined opposite angular disposition relative to each other about the longitudinal axis.
When the cam-pin moves into the bilateral widening, the close-tolerance engagement is released or the cam-pin is released from engagement with the parallel sides, thereby permitting limited free rotation of the end effectors relative to each other, and relative to the longitudinal axis, to facilitate movement through a bent working channel of the endoscope. The arrangement is configured so the end effectors traverse a bent working channel, including movement through a tortuous passage of a retroflexed endoscope, while maintaining controlled open and closed positions during cam-pin travel along the longitudinal extension.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00009, clm-00015). Across these independent claims, the inventive features focus on a cam-pin riding in a close-tolerance cam-slot/longitudinal extension with parallel sides and a proximal bilateral widening, and release of close-tolerance engagement to permit limited free rotation to facilitate passage through a bent working channel, including a retroflexed endoscope tortuous passage, with the end effectors being rotatably mounted on a clevis and moved by a control member through a proximal handle assembly.
Cam-slot close-tolerance non-giving assembly with proximal bilateral widening
Each end effector includes a cam-slot having a longitudinal extension defined by first and second parallel sides and a proximal bilateral widening, wherein a cam-pin rides in close tolerance with said longitudinal extensions to define a non-giving assembly of said end effectors about said clevis for any given location of said cam-pin within said longitudinal extension.
Open and closed positioning via longitudinal displacement of cam-pin
Longitudinal displacement of said cam-pin within said longitudinal extensions effects movement of said end effectors between open and closed positions with said non-giving assembly requiring said end effectors to be angularly disposed oppositely relative to each other and about the longitudinal axis when said end effectors are displaced from said closed position.
Release into limited free rotation to traverse bent working channel
Movement of said cam-pin into said bilateral widening releases said end effectors from said non-giving assembly to permit limited free rotation of said end effectors relative to each other to facilitate movement of said end effectors through a bent working channel of the endoscope.
Smooth proximal cam-slot widening with close pin reception over travel
A cam-slot having distalmost and proximalmost ends with first and second parallel sides defining a longitudinal extension extending therebetween, wherein said first and second parallel sides are spaced apart a distance to closely receive said cam-pin along an entirety of travel along said longitudinal extension, and wherein a bilateral widening at said proximalmost end has a smooth and uninterrupted proximal surface extending thereacross.
Cam-pin release from parallel sides permits limited free rotation
Movement of said cam-pin into said bilateral widening releases said cam-pin from engagement with said parallel sides and thereby permits limited free rotation of said end effectors relative to each other to facilitate movement of said end effectors through a bent working channel of the endoscope.
Cam-pin close-tolerance engagement defining defined angular openings with bilateral widening release
A cam-slot with a longitudinal extension along said first and second parallel sides having a length extending between the distalmost and proximalmost ends, where said cam-pin rides in close tolerance engagement along an entirety of said length of said longitudinal extension such that for any location of said cam-pin along said longitudinal extension, said end effectors have defined angular openings relative to the longitudinal axis, and a bilateral widening at a proximal end of said longitudinal extension.
Limited free rotation relative to longitudinal axis for bent working channel passage
Movement of said cam-pin into said bilateral widening releases the close-tolerance engagement between said cam-pin and said longitudinal extension to thereby permit limited free rotation of said end effectors relative to the longitudinal axis in order to facilitate movement of said end effectors through a bent working channel of the endoscope.
Across clm-00001, clm-00009, and clm-00015, the independent claims cover an endoscopic scissors-style instrument architecture in which a distal cam-pin rides in a close-tolerance cam-slot/longitudinal extension with parallel sides and a proximal bilateral widening to create a non-giving assembly for open/closed positioning, and then release into limited free rotation when the cam-pin enters the bilateral widening to facilitate passage through a bent working channel, including tortuous passage of a retroflexed endoscope as recited in the dependent refinement set.
Stated Advantages
Facilitate movement of the end effectors through a bent working channel of the endoscope.
Permit limited free rotation of the end effectors after movement of the cam-pin into the bilateral widening.
Documented Applications
Movement of the end effectors through a bent working channel of the endoscope.
Movement of the end effectors through a tortuous passage of a retroflexed endoscope.
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