Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
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HANDLE FOR ENDOSCOPIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
AND JAW STRUCTURE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application is a division of copending
Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,075,333 filed
August 5, 1992.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to surgical
instruments, and more particularly relates to handle and jaw
structure for an endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical
instrument having reciprocating jaw members which pivot in
response to the opening and closing of the handle members,
where movement of the handle members is translated through
an elongated tubular body member to open and r~lose the jaw
mechanism. The present invention further relates to a
ratchet mechanism which is internally disposed within the
handle to provide incremental positioning of the jaw members
in relation to each other. The present invention further
relates to novel jaw members and method of manufacture for
same.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
In the prior art, various endoscopic surgical
instruments are disclosed which utilize generally comple.~
mechanisms for opening and closing handle members and jaw
members to facilitate use of the device at a surgical site.
Many devices provide an intricate construction in which a
linkage mechanism for opening anal closing the jaws requires
numerous moving parts, while a sliding arrangement is
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1 provided between two extended . od members to activate the linkage mechanism
in
response to movement of the handle members. In addition, pivoting of the
handle
members in many cases causes an unwanted radial torquing force on the rod
which
requires additional space to be provided in the handle members to accommodate
the
radial movement of the rod.
Furthermore, it is often necessary for the surgeon, or an assistant, to
maintain a constant force on the handles to keep the jaw mechanism closed in
the
event that the instrument is a grasping or gripping device such as forceps,
needle
holders, or retractors. This limits the surgeon's range, and in the case of an
assistant,
requires additional personnel to be present in the operating room, thus
restricting
movement in an already confining location. To alleviate this problem, it has
been
known to provide locking mechanisms on the handles of the surgical instruments
which allow the surgeon to Iock or clamp the jaw members in place to free his
hands
to operate additional instruments during the course of the operation. This
frees the
surgical assistant to support the surgeon and eliminates the need for
additional
assistants. Typical locking devices include arm members which extend between
the
handles so that a series of ridges or ribs on each arm member engage
corresponding
ridges on the opposite arm to lock the handles in position. Bending one arm in
relation to the other releases the locking mechanism.
A disadvantage associated with these devices concerns the release of the
locking mechanism for subsequent movement of the jaw members to remove or
reposition the instrument. Generally, the arm membezs of locking mechanisms
are
constructed of a resilient material, such as stainless steel or rigid plastic,
and the
locking forces which hold the arm members in engagement are generated by the
natural flexing and biasing of the material of which the arm members are
constructed.
To release the locking mechanism, the arms must be disengaged by overcoming
the
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locking forces of the arms. Typically, this is accomplished by manually
flexing the
arms away from each other, necessitating the use of two hands, one to grasp
the
instrument, and the other to forcibly move the arm members. This, of course,
requires the surgeon (or assistant) to cease what he is doing and release the
mechanism, thus reducing the effectiveness of the surgwn duzing the operation,
particularly in an emergency situation.
A further disadvantage lies in the fact that typical locking mechanisms
cannot be overridden; that is, the mechanism is always engaged, thereby
preventing
free movement of the handle and jaw mechanism. This usually requires the
surgeon
to choose an instrument either having the locking mechanism or one that does
not.
This leads to an oven-abundance of instruments in the operating room and tends
to
complicate an already complex situation.
1S
Finally, locking mechanisms located on the handles require special care
in sterilization, packaging and storage, as well as in normal handling in the
operating
room. Dirt and debris may clog the nibs of the locking mechanism thus reducing
its
effectiveness, and damage to the ribs during storage or packaging may destroy
the
20 ribs, rendering the Locking mechanism useless.
U.S. Patent No. 1,452,373 to Gomez discloses a typical locking
mechanism for a surgical instrument, in which a plurality of ribs are provided
on an
extension of the handle member which engage a similar rib member on the
opposite
25 h~dle. Once engaged, the fiandles must be moved away fcom each other
perpendicular to their longitudinal axis to disengage the locking mechanism to
release
the jaw mechanism.
U. S. Patent No. 4, 896, 661 to Bogert et al. disclose a surgical
30 instrument having a ratchet mechanism positioned on the handle members
which
includes a curved rack member attached to one handle member which passes
through
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1 a slot in the other handle member. A releasable pawl rnember is provided on
the
second handle to engage the rack member and provide a means for releasing the
ratchet.
U.S. Patent 3~~0. 4,935,027 to xoon discloses a. surgical instrument
having a ratchet mechanism positioned between the handle members. A rack
member
is provided which extends from one handle and passes through a slot in the
second
handle to lock the handles in place. Pivoting the rack member away from
7 0 c°~esponding grooves in th.e slot will release the ratchet
mechanism.
U.S. Patent No. 4,428,374 to Auburn discloses a surgical instrument
having means for positioning and holding the handle member.-s in relation to
each
other. A rack member is provided on one handle member v~rhich extends through
a
slot in the second handle member in which a releasable pawl mechanism is
provided
to engage and disengage the ratcheting mechanism.
With respect: to jaw mechanisms .and, in particular, ,traumatic jaw
mechanisms such as graspers and clamps, it is important fox surgeons to be
able to
gauge or "feel" the amount of force being applied to the jaw mechanisms. This
z0 ability is particularly important in endoscopic procedures where visibility
is somewhat
limited and surgeons must place a greater reliance on their sense of touch. In
conventional jaw mechanisms, the elements of the jaws are typically forged or
cast of
a rigid material into a predetermined shape. These forged or cast elements
require
elaborate metal working facilities and a relatively large amount of labor in
finishing
the elements. The finished elements usually exhibit very little flexural
ability thus
inhibiting the surgeon's perception of the amount of force to which the
grasped or
clamped tissue is exposed.
The novel surgical instrument pursuant to the present invention obviates
the disadvantages encountered in the prior art and provide, a precise
instrument which
3S
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is easy to manufacture and efficient to use, which eliminates many of the
moving
parts required by prior art devices. The instrument of the present invention
incorporates many features v;~hich are of use to the surgeon during an
operation,
including an internal ra.tcheting mechanism to provide for incremental
movement of
the tool mechanism and locking of the jaws if desired, while ~-naintaining a
lightweight
construction in an easy to handle device in which all of the features may be
operated
with one hand. Also, the features are so positioned so as to provide a maximum
line
of sight for the surgeon without obstructing the view to the surgical site.
Furthermore, novel jaw mechanisms may be incorporated which are easy to
precisely
manufacture and, in the case of atraumatic graspers or clamps, have flexural
capabilities which allow surgeons to gauge the amount: of force being applied.
SLTN121~iARY OF TIDE INVET~ITTON
The preservt invention provides a novel endoscopic or laparoscopic
surgical device which incorporates many features necessary for endoscopic or
laparoscopic surgical procedures, and provides a lightweight and easy to use
device
which may be operated with one hand. The device includes an internal
ratcheting
mechanism located preferably within the barrel of the handle mechanism which
provides for incremental positioning of the tool mechanism for performing the
surgical procedure. The device is simple to manufacture, and may incorporate
any
one of a series of jaw mechanisms for various surgical procedures. The device
is a
high precision instrument in which many moving parts normally associated with
such
a device are eliminated, thus reducing instances of mechanical failure
requiring
expensive repair or ultimate destruction of the instn.~ment.
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In accordance with one embodiment o:~ the present
invention there is provided an endoscopic or :Laparoscopic
surgical instrument comprising: a handle assembly including
a barrel portion, stationary handle and a pivoting handle; a
body assembly comprising a pair of coaxial members attached
at one end to the handle assembly, including an inner rod
member slidable within an outer tube member in response to
movement of the handle assembly, the body assembly
terminating at an end remote from the handle assembly in a
reciprocatingly movable tool mechanism; and a ratchet
mechanism positioned within the barrel portion of the handle
assembly, the ratchet mechanism engaging the body assembly
to provide incremental movement of the tool mechanism.
In accordance with another embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a surgical instrument
comprisinga a pair of jaws, each jaw formed from a single
sheet of material having a proximal, distal and intermediate
portion, the jaws being twisted in the intermediate portion
such that the distal portion is substantially perpendicular
to the proximal portion; means for pivotally mounting the
jaws in cooperative alignment: and means for selectively
pivoting the jaws.
Another aspect of the endoscopic or laparoscopic
surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly, an
elongated body assembly and a tool mechanism. A ratchet
mechanism may be attached within the barrel portion of the
handle assembly. The handle assembly includes a stationary
handle and pivoting handle, attached to the barrel portion,
and the body assembly is attached to the barrel portion and
extends therefrom. The body assembly consists of an outer
tubular member and an inner rod member which coaxially
passes within the outer tubular member. The rod member is
attached to the pivoting handle, while i:he tube member is
secured in a conventional manner to the barrel portion which
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extends into the stationary handle. As t::he pivoting handle
moves, the rod member slidably reciprocates within the outer
tube member.
Attached to .a distal end of the: body assembly is
the tool mechanism which opens and closes in .response to
movement of the pivoting handle in relation to the
stationary handle. The tool mechanism may comprise a jaw
mechanism with a pair of jaw members wherein one or both jaw
90 members open and close to perform various endoscopic or
laparoscopic surgical procedures. The tool mechanism
includes, but is not limited to, a scissor device, a
dissecting device, a grasping device, a retractor device,
and like mechanisms.
The present invention further includes novel
atraumatic jaw mechanisms having flexural characteristics
which serve to better transmit to the user a more accurate
gauge of the force being applied to the captured tissue.
This is accomplished by fabricating the jaw members of a
20 material or in a configuration which permits the jaw members
to flex and allow the user to gauge the amount of force
applied to the tissue by the jaw mechanism. This flexural
ability reduces the likelihood of unintentional traumatic
injury, particularly i.n reduced visibility, endoscopic or
laparoscopic procedures. Tn particularly advantageous
embodiments, the jaw members are fabricated using a unique
manufacturing technique which eliminates the need for
elaborate and expensive metal working equipment. This
technique includes fabricating the individual jaw members
30 from a single sheet of malleable material and twisting or
bending the jaw membez:s into a predetermined position.
A second picot point on the pivoting handle, to
which the inner rod member is attached could be provided. As
the handle pivots, the second pivot point rotates to allow
the inner rod to move longitudinally in the outer tube with
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minimal radial deflection. This feature .reduces the radial
wear on the inner rod and prevents weakening of the
structure during long term use. =Cn addit:i.on, it allows for
a reduction of the required internal spacing between the
outer tube and inner rod to result in a mare compact and
streamlined instrument. Furthermore, unw.ante~u torquing
forces are eliminated at the pivot point thus minimizing the
possibility of mechanical breakdown of the instrument at the
connection between the pivoting handle and the: movable inner
rod.
The present invention may include the provision of
a rotatable knob on the outer tubular member to allow the
body assembly and tool mechanism to rotate to position the
jaws at desired angles to the longitudinal axis during the
surgical procedure. Preferably, the rotatable knob is
secured to the outer 'tube and positioned in a slot which
passes through the barrel portion of the stat~_onary handle,
so that a surgeon may rotate the knob and consequently the
body assembly and jaw mechanism, through the use of his
thumb whale he is holding the stationary handle with his
fingers. This frees the surgeon's other hand to
' simultaneously operate another instrument during surgery.
.Another novel feature of the present invention is
the provision of a ratchet mechanism located internally
within the barrel of the handle assembly to p~~ovide for
incremental movement of the jaw mechanism. Since it is
located internally within the barrel portion of the handle
assembly, it is not subjected to environmental conditions
which may result in clogging or damage to the ratchet
mechanism during handling and storage. furthermore, the
novel ratchet mechanism of the present invention provides
for simple handling and maneuvering durir.~g the surgical
procedure and allows the surgeon to operate the device with
one hand, thus freeing his other hand for performing other
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functions during the surgical procedure.
The ratchet mechanism of the present invention
includes a trigger mechanism for engaging and disengaging
the ratchet feature. In a first embodiment, a rack member
is provided on the surface of the pivoting handle which
engages the pawl arm of the trigger portion oi= the ratchet
mechanism. The pawl arm is biased by a leaf spring member
which maintains the pawl arm in contact with the rack
member. The trigger member, when depressed, overcomes the
force of the leaf spring and pivots the pawl <~rm away from
the rack member to relf~ase the ratchet mechanism. If the
trigger mechanism is continually pressed, the ratchet
mechanism is overridden and the device functions as a
conventional surgical _instrument. The trigger mechanism is
preferably positioned on the barrel portion of the
stationary handle member. The rack member consists of a
plurality of indentations or notches into which the pawl arm
fits to secure the handles in incremental positions during
operation of the tool mechanism.
A second embodiment of the ratchet mechanism
provides the trigger mechanism positioned on the stationary
handle at the barrel portion and include~~ a pawl arm which
engages a rack member which is constructed iwtegral with the
inner rod member of the body assembly. The rack member may
comprise a plurality of indentations cut into the rod member
which engage the pawl arm of the trigger mechanism. The
trigger mechanism is s;~ring biased so that the pawl arm is
continually engaged with the rack member. Constant
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
depression of the trigger mechanism overrides the ratchet mechanism and the
handles
may be operated as in a conventional tool.
Alternately, the indentations may be part of a block device which is
secured to the rod member and provided with the plurality of indentations or
notches
to engage the pawl arm. Preferably, however, the notches o~.°
indentations are
constructed integral with the rod member, and in a preferred embodiment are
provided as a series of circumferential notches about the rod member. This
allows
for the provision of a rotatable body assembly through the use of a rotation
knob
which provides 360°, or any portion thereof, rotation of the body
assembly to rotate
the jaws of the tool mechanism to desired angles alon~; the longitudinal axis
of the
instrument during the surgical procedure. Accordingly, the ratchet mechanism
may
operate at any orientation of the jaw members.
In order to provide a complete override feature of the ratchet
mechanism, the present invention may include a novel actuator device which
cooperates with the trigger mechanism to provide an on/off mechanism for the
ratchet
feature. Tn this embodiment, the trigger mechanism includes an articulated
body
poi-Lion having a projection or finger-like member which acts as a camming
membez
to engage the actuator means. The actuator means essentially comprises a
pivotable
camming member having a slot into which the finger-like projection extends.
When
pivoted in a first direction, the caroming slot.engages the eawnming member of
the
articulated body and causes the body to pivot into engagement with the
circumferential rack disposn.,d on the inner rod member. When the actuator
means is
pivoted in a second direction, the caroming slot is of such a configuration so
as to
disengage with the caroming member of the articulated body which causes the
pawl
arm to fall aut of engagement with the rack means of the inner rod member. In
this
embodiment, the trigger mechanism is also spring biased so that when the
actuator
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means is in the "on" position, the pawl arm is biased into
engagement with the rack means.
A further optional feature of the present
invention is the provision of a stop mecr~anism to arrest
rotation of the body assembly. The stop mechanism is
provided in conjunction with the rotation knob and allows
the surgeon to lock the body assembly at a particular
orientation during rotation. The lock mechanism is provided
on the barrel portion of the handle assembly and is
positioned so that the surgeon may activate the lock
mechanism with a single hand.
The present .invention may also feature a
connection port to provide the device with electrocautery
capabilities. A connection port allows f:or t:he connection
of a suitable jack member to be inserted into the device.
The outer tube of the body assembly is pi:ovided with
electrical insulation, preferably heat shrink tubing, which
extends a substantial portion of the length of the outer
tube. In this embodiment, the handle is molded of plastic
a
material to provide electrical insulation for the user.
In the preferred embodiment, all the above
features are incorporated into a single endoscopic and
laparoscopic surgical instrument, so that the instrument has
electrocautery, rotational, and ratcheting capabilities.
However, the instrument of the present invention is
constructed with at least the ratcheting capabilities to
provide for incremental adjustment of the tool mechanism
during a surgical procedure.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~1.WINGS
The foregoing features of the invention will
become more readily apparent and may be understood by
referring to the following detailed description of an
illustrative embodiment of the endoscopic: or :~aparoscopic
surgical instrument having an internal ratche~r mechanism,
taken in conjunction w:Lth the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an
endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument possessing
the ratchet mechanism according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a side plan view and partial
cut-away of the surgical instrument of Figure 1;
30
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1 , Figure 3 illustrates an exploded side cut-away view of the device of
Figure 2 showing in detail the ratchet mechanism according to the present
invention;
Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a side plan view and a perspective view,
respectively, of the ratchet mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure b illustrates a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument employing the ratchet
mechanism
of the present invention;
Figure 7 illustrates a side plan view of l:he laparoscopic surgical
instrument of Figure 6;
Figure 8 illustrates a top plan view of the device of Figure 6;
Figure 9 illustrates a side cut-away vievr of the endoscopic or
laparoscopic surgical instrument of Figure 6 having the ratchet mechanism of
the
present invention;
Figure 10 illustrates a further embodiment of the endoscopic or
laparoscopic surgical instrument employing the ratchet mechanism of the
present
invention;
Figure 11 i112:zstrates a side view of the device of Figure 10;
Figure 12 illustrates a side cut-away view of the device of Figure 10;
Figure 13 illustrates another embodiment of the endoscopic or
laparoscopic surgical instrument employing the ratchet: mechanism of the
present
Invention;
Figure 14 illustrates a side plan view of the device of Figure 13;
Figure 15 ilh:IStrates a side cut-away viE:w of the device of Figure 13;
Figure 16 illustrates a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument employing the ratchet mechanism
of
the present invention;
i
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1 Figure I7 illustrates a side plan view of the device of Figure 16;
Figure I8 illustrates a side cut-away view of the device of Figure I6;
Figure 19 illustrates a plan view of an embodiment of the actuation
means for use with the ratchet mechanism of the present invention;
Figure 20 illustrates a plan view of the stop means for use with the
rotation knob of the present/ invention;
Figure 21 illustrates a top plan view of a jaw member in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention prior to being formed;
Figure 22 illustrates a top plan view of the jaw member of Figure 21
wherein a proximal end is bent relative to the distal end;
Figure 23 illustrates a side plan view o;F the jaw member of Figure 22
wherein the distal end is formed in a semicircular configuration;
Figure 24 illustrates a perspective view in partial phantom of a jaw
mechanism in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with the
jaw
members closed;
Figure 25 illustrates a perspective view of the jaw mechanism of Figure
24 with the jaw members i;n the open position;
Figure 26 illustrates a perspective view of an endoscopic instrument
4
incorporating the jaw mechanism of Figure 24;
Figure 27 illustrates a top plan view of a jaw member in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 28 illustrates a front plan view in cross section of a jaw member
taken along line 28-28 of Figure 27;
Figure 29 illustrates a side plan view of the jaw member of Figure 27;
Figure 30 illustrates a perspective view in paztial phantom of a jaw
mechanism in accordance with jaw members of Figure 27 in the closed position;
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Figure 3I illustr~fes a perspective view of the jaw mechanism of Figure
30 with the jaw members irl the open position;
Figure 32 illustrates a perspective view of a jaw member in accordance
with another embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 33 illustrates a side plan view in cross section of an endoscopic
instrument incorporating the jaw member of Figure 32.
RETAILED ~DESCR7CP'TION OF 'IT~E PRE ~ ~ RRED EMIiODIMMENTS
Referring now in specific detail to the drawings, in which like
reference numerals identify similar or identical elements, Figure I
illustrates a first
. embodiment of the endoscopic or laparoscopic surgical instrument 10. In its
simplest
form, device 10 comprises a handle assembly 12, a body assembly 20, and a
ratchet
mechanism 28. Handle assembly 12 comprises a pivoting handle 14, a stationary
handle 16, and a barrel portion 18 to which body assembly 20 is attached. Body
assembly 20 essentially comprises an outer tubular member 22 through which an
inner
rod member 24 coaxially passes in a slidable arrangement. Preferably, outer
tube 22
is secured to barrel portion 18 and remains stationary during operation of the
device.
Upon movement of pivoting handle 14, inner rod 24 reciprocates within tube
member
22 to operate a tool mechanism provided at the distal end of the instrument
10. This
t~l mechanism (not shown)'tnay comprise a surgical implement, such as
scissors,
graspers, forceps, retractors and the like. A rotation knob 26 may be provided
which
rotates body assembly 20 to orient the tool mechanism at various angles to the
longitudinal axis.
As best seen in Figures 2 and 3, ratchet mechanism 28 is provided to
incrementally adjust and hold the position of pivoting handle 14. This
incremental
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positioning, which Sets pivotingwhandle 14 at various locations along its path
of travel,
provides a means to incrementally open and close the tool mechanism during the
surgical procedure. Ratchet mechanism 28 is essentially positioned internally
within
barrel portion 18 and stationary handle 16 so that none of the mechanism is
exposed
to environmental conditions.
Ratchet mechanism 28 includes a pawl member 32 which engages a
rack member 30 which is located on the pivoting handle I4. Rack member 30
7 0 comprises a plurality of indentations or notches which accepts pawl arm 32
to hold
pivoting arm 14 in place. Ratchet mechanism 28 utilizes an integrally
constructed
leaf spring member 34 which biases ratchet mechanism 28 into the engaged
position
such that pawl member 32 engages rack member 30. 'T'o release the ratchet
mechanism, a trigger member 36 is provided which, when depressed by the user
in
the direction of arrow A in Figure 3, causes the ratchet mechanism 28 to pivot
about
pivot point 38 in the direction of arrow B to disengage pawl member 32 from
rack
member 30. Tt can be appreciated that continual depression of trigger member
36 in
the direction of arrow A allows the ratchet mechanism 28 to be overridden so
that
20 pivoting handle I4 may operate freely without the constraints of ratchet
mechanism 28. Releasing trigger member 36 will zeturn the pawl member 32 to
the
engaged position. Ratchet mechanism 28 can be best seen in Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of the surgical instrument
25 employing the ratchet mechanism of the present invention. l:nstrument 40 is
similar to
instrument 10 described above and includes a handle portion 42 to which body
assembly 50 is attached. Body assembly 50 terminates in a tool mechanism
similar to
that described above.
30 H~dle assembly 42 comprises a pivoting handle 44, a stationary handle
46 and a barrel portion 48. Body assembly 50 compz:ises an outer tubular
member 52
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through which an inner rod metrtber 54 coaxially passes in sliding
arrangement.
Movement of pivoting handle 44 causes inner rod member 54 to reciprocate
within
outer tube 52. Outer tube 52 is secured within barrel portion 48. As can be
seen in
Figure 6 and Figure 7, a rotation knob 56 may be provided, along with ratchet
mechanism 58.
Figure 9 illustrates a cut-away view of the device of Figure 6. Inner
rod member 54 includes a :rack member 6tJ which cornprises a plurality of
circumferential notches cut into rod member 54. The circumferential notches
allow
for activation of the ratchet mechanism at any orientation of the body
assembly 50
due to rotation of rotation :knob 56. While it is shown that rod member 54
contains
the circumferential notches or indentations, a separate block member may be
provided
to which rod member 54 is attached to accomplish the same ratcheting
principle.
Engaging rack member 60 is a pawl member 62 which is part of ratchet
mechanism 58. Pawl member 62 is biased into the engaged position by spring 64,
and is pivotable about pivot point 68.
In use, pivoting handle 44 is moved to open and close the jaw members
20 of the tool mechanism (not shown). As pivoting handle 44 moves, pawl member
62
moves along rack member 60 to a desired location for the tool mechanism. To
release ratchet mechanism 58, trigger member 66 is moved in the direction of
phantom arrow C to overcome the spring force and move th.e pawl mechanism in
the
z5 direction of arrow D. Once-this mechanism is released, handle 44 is free to
move
without obstruction. In order to override the ratcheting mechanism, trigger
member
66 may be continually depressed in the direction of phantom arrow C so that
the
pivoting handle 44 may operate freely.
Figure 10 illustrates a third embodiment of Clue endoscopic or
laparoscopic surgical instmment employing the ratchet mechanism of the present
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
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~ . invention. Instrument 70 is sirriiTar to devices 10 and 40 above and
includes a handle
assembly 72 and a body assembly 80. Body assembly 80 terminates in a tool
mechanism similar to that described above. Handle assembly 72 includes a
pivoting
handle 74, a stationary handle 76 and a barrel portion 78. Body assembly 80
includes
an outer tube member 82 which is secured to barrel portion '78, and an inner
rod
member 84 which coaxially passes through outer tube member 82 in sliding
arrangement. Inner rod 84 reciprocates within outer tube member 82 upon
movement
of pivoting handle 74. A rotation knob 86 may be provided, and ratchet
mechanism
88 is provided as a trigger grip extending from barrel portion 78.
Turning to Figure 12, there is illustrated the ratchet mechanism 88
which is disposed within barrel portion 78. A rack member 90 is provided which
comprises a plurality of circumferential notches or indentations in inner rod
member
84 which provide for engagement of the ratchet mechanism 88 regardless of the
orientation of the tool mechanism due to rotation of rotation knob 86.
In this embodiment, ratchet mechanism 88 essentially comprises an
articulated body which is Comprised of pawl member 92 and trigger member 96.
Trigger member 96 is biased by spring 94 which maintains pawl member 92 in
engagement with rack member 90. The articulated body is formed about floating
pivot point 98 which joins pawl member 92 with trigger member 96. Both the
pawl
member 92 and trigger member 96 are each secured at stationary pivot points
while
floating pivot point 98 allows- pawl member 92 to move into and out of
engagement
with rack member 90.
In use, pivoting handle 74 is moved to set the jaws of the tool
mechanism (not shown) to the desired configuration. Spring member 94 biases
trigger member 96 forwardly, so that floating pivot point 98 urges pawl member
92
into engagement with rack means 90. To release the ratchet mechanism, trigger
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
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member 96 is urged rearwardly-~ against the biasing force of spring 94 so that
floating
pivot point 98 shifts downwardly to move pawl member 92 out of engagement with
rack means 90. Maintaining this rearward depression of trigger member 96 will
provide an override for the ratchet mechanism 88, and allow pivoting handle 74
to
move freely.
Figure 13 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the endoscopic or
laparoscopic surgical instrument 100 employing the ratchet mechanism of the
present
invention. Instrument I00 is similar to instruments 10, 40 and 70 above, and
includes
a handle assembly 102, a body assembly 110, and a ratchet mechanism I18.
Handle
assembly 102 comprises a pivoting handle 144, a stationary handle lOb and a
barrel
portion 108, to which body assembly 1l0 is secured. Body assembly l I0
comprises
an outer tubular member 112 and a coaxial inner rod :member 114 which slides
therein. Outer tube member 112 is secured to barrel ;portion. 108, while inner
rod
member 114 is secured to pivoting handle 104 and reciprocates within outer
tube
member 1I2 upon movement of pivoting handle I04. A rotation knob 116 is
provided to adjust the orientation of the tool mechanism (not shown) which is
located
at the distal end of the body assembly 110. Ratchet mechanism 118 is provided,
along with actuation means 120, whose function will be des<:ribed below.
Turning now to Figure 15, there is illustrated a side cut-away view of
instrument 100 showing the ratchet mechanism 118 o:F the present invention.
Inner
r~ member 114 includes a rack member 122 which comprises a plurality of
circumferential notches or indentations which allows for use of the ratchet
mechanism
118 regardless of the orientation of the tool mechanism due to rotation of
body
assembly I10 by rotation knob 116. Ratchet mechanism 118 comprises an
articulated
body which is formed by pawl member 124, trigger member 128 and a camming
member 134 which extends from pawl member 124. Triggf:r member 128 pivots
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
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about a stationary pivot point I3I and is biased in the forward direction by
spring
126. Trigger member 128 is joined to pawl member I24 through floating pivot
point
130, while pawl member 124 is pivoted further about stationary pivot point
132.
An actuation means 120 is provided, which is best seen in Figure 19.
Actuation means 120 comprises a body portion 186 and is provided with a
ramming
slot I36 into which caroming member 134 passes. Lamming surface 138 engages
ramming member 134 to urge pawl member I24 into engagement with rack member
122. When actuation means 120 is pushed in a first direction, caroming member
134
disengages from ramming surface I38 and pawl member 124 disengages from rack
member 122. When actuation means 120 is pushed in the opposite direction,
ramming surface 138 contacts ramming member I34 which urges pawl member I24
into engagement with rack member 122. Actuation means 120 functions as a
switch
to the user to override the ratchet mechanism so that the device 100 may be
used in a
conventional manner without requiring the user to hold any component of the
instrument.
Figure I6 il~.ustrates a fifth embodiment of thc~ endoscopic or
laparoscopic surgical instrument I40 employing the ratchet mechanism of the
present
invention. Device 140 is identical to device 100 described above in relation
to
Figures 13-15, except for the provision of rotation stop means I62.
Instrument 140 comprises handle assembly 1~2, body assembly 150,
~d ratchet mechanism 158. -°Handle assembly 142 camprises pivoting
handle 144,
stationary handle 146, and barrel portion i48. Body assembly 150 attaches to
barrel
portion I48 in the manner described above, such that outer tube member I52 is
secured to barrel portion 158 while inner rod member 154 slidingly passes
through
tube member I52 and is secured to pivoting handle 144. Inner rod member I54
reciprocates within outer tube member I52 in response to movement of pivoting
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
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1 handle 144. A rotation knob 156 is provided, along with actuation means 160
which
cooperates with ratchet mechanism 158 as described above.
Turning now to Figure I8, and in view of Figure 20, ratchet
mechanism I58 and actuation means 160 operate in a manner identical to that
described above in reference to Figures I3-15. Stop means 162 is provided
having a
body portion 182 surrounds outer tube member 152. Rotation of rotation knob
I56
allows for various orientations of the tool mechanism (not shown) which is
provided
at the distal end of body assembly 150. In order to secure body assembly I50
at a
particular orientation, stop means 162 is provided which frictionally engages
outer
tubular member 152 to lock it in place at the desired orientation. The
friction force is
applied upon rotation of stop means 162 through the provision of guide posts
184
which travel in tracks provided in barrel portion 148. Guide posts 184 provide
a
torque to body portion I82 which grips outer tubular member I52 to arrest
rotational
movement at the desired orientation.
Embodiments of the present invention may further include novel tool
mechanisms in the form of atraumatic jaw mechanisms having jaw members with
flexural characteristics. These jaw members are capable of transmitting to
users a
more accurate "feel°' so that they can gauge the amount of force being
applied to the
captured tissue by the instrument. In particularly advantageous embodiments,
these
jaw members may be fabricated using a unique manufacturing technique which
eliminates or substantially reduces the need for elaborate and expensive metal
working
equipment.
Referring to Figures 2l-26 and in particular to Figures 21-23, a novel
jaw member and method of manufacturing same is illustrated. This jaw member is
shown in the form of a Babcock clamp jaw 200 adapted to capture and hold
tubular
tissue, preferably without causing traumatic injury. :Babco<;k clamp jaw 200
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
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comprises a proximal portion 202, an intermediate portion 204 and a distal
portion
206.
As shown in Figure 21, the proximal portion 202 of the Babcock clamp
jaw 200 is provided with a pivot bore 208 transversely formed therein for
receiving a
pivot pin 210 (Figure 24) to interconnect a pair of jaw members. Proximal
portion
202 further includes means for moving the interconnected jaw members pivotally
relative to one another. In the embodiment shown in Figures 21-26, this
structure
comprises a diagonal ramming slot 212 formed in the proximal portion 202,
which
slot receives a ramming pin 24 connected to and controlled by inner zod member
114.
Note that the present novel jaw structure is described in the context of a
surgical
instrument in accordance with the embodiment of Figure 1S discussed
hereinabove.
However, the jaw structure of the present invention may be equally
incorporated into
other surgical instrument configurations including the alternate embodiments
discussed
herein.
The distal portion 206 of the Babcock clamp jaw 200 includes a contact
surface 214 and a tissue expansion bore 216 formed therein. Tissue expansion
bore
216 also provides a fluid passage for fluids associated with grasped tissue.
The distal
portion is formed into a substantially semicircular shape defining a tissue
capturing
space 2I8 on an interior surface thereof.
Tntermediate portion 204 is disposed between proximal portion 202 and
z5 distal portion 206 and permits the distal portion 206 to flex transversely
with respect
to proximal portion 202 when the contact surface 214 of two opposing clamp jaw
members contact or when an enlarged tissue structure is contained within
tissue
capturing space 218. In the embodiment of Figures 21-26, the distal portions
206 of
clamp jaw member 200 are precambered inward such that as the opposing claim
jaws
are approximated, the contact surface 214 of the zespective distal portions
206 come
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
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into abutment first. This confrgvration allows the intermediate portion 204 to
flex or
bend thus transmitting a feel to the user of the force being applied.
The Babcock clamp jaws 200 may advantageously be formed in a novel
manner from a single sheet of material. Preferably, this material is
relatively strong
and malleable with good flexural characte~istacs, e.g. Series 302 or 304
stainless steel.
To form the jaws, the basic shape of the jaw is stamped or formed out
of a single flat sheet of material. Thereafter, any desired bores or slots may
be
formed as desired. Once the basic flat shape is present, the distal end of the
flattened
workpiece is twisted or bent so that the distal end is disposed in a
predetermined
angular orientation with respect to the proximal portion of the workpiece. In
the
embodiment of Figures 21-26, the distal portion 206 is twisted in the
direction of
arrow 220 (Figure 22) until the distal portion 206 is disposed in a plane
~ 5 approximately 90° transverse to the plane of the proximal portion
202.
Once the workpiece is bent into the correct shape, the distal portion
206 of the jaw member 200 is formed into its final semicircular shape using,
for
example, a dowel or other forming tool of a predetermined shape. See Figure
23.
z0 The distal portion may also be precambered to provide a larger range of
flexibility for
the jaw members.
The embodiment of Figures 21-26 demonstrate jaw members wherein
the distal portions thereof are each bent in the same transverse direction
relative to the
25 respective proximal portions:- This advantageous configuration permits the
jaws,
when assembled together to overlap and minimize visual obstruction of the
tissue
capturing area 218.
Referring to Figure 24, opposing Babcock clamp jaws 200 are disposed
in a closed approximated position with intermediate portions 204 overlapping
and
contact surfaces 214 in abutment. This position facilitates insertion of the
instrument
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
222 through a cannula (not shown). Once in place within the endoscopic
operative
site, the ratcheting mechanism I18 (Figure 15) is released by means of trigger
128
allowing Babcock clamp jaws 200 to spring open in preparation for tissue
capture.
The subject tissue (not shown) is maneuvered into the tissue capturing space
218 and
the jaws 200 are reapproximated using pivoting handle 104 and stationary
handle 106
to retract coaxial inner rod member 114 relative to outer tube member I12. As
the
contact surfaces 214 of the distal portions 206 abut, the user may effectively
gauge
the application of more force to the captured tissue a:; the distal portion of
the jaws
flex via the intermediate portion relative to the proximal portion.
Figures 27-31 illustrate a further embodiment of Babcock clamp jaws
230 in accordance with the present invention. These jaws 230 are substantially
the
same as Babcoek clamp jaws 200 discussed above with the exception of the
linkage
~ 5 means 232 used to connect the jaws 200 to the inner .rod 114 and activate
the jaws to
pivotally move them between an open position (Figure 31) and a closed position
(Figuze 30).
The jaws 230 include a proximal portion 234, an intermediate portion
236 and a distal portion 238. The proximal pardon 234 includes a pivot bore
208 for
receiving pivot pin 210 and a link pin bore 240 for receiving link pin 242 to
connect
the jaw 230 to articulating link 244. Links 244 of opposing jaws 230 are
connected
to coaxial inner rod member 114 at pin 246, and serve to drive the jaws 230
between
~ oPen and closed position as the rod member 114 is moved coaxially with
respect to
outer tube member 112.
The intermediate portion 236 is substantially the same as intermediate
portion 204 of Figures 21-26 and has flexural characteristics which allow
distal
portion 238 to flex relative to proximal portion 234.
35
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
-24-
The distal portion 238 is solid and terminates in a more aggressive
contact surface 248 provided with interdigitating teeth 250. As in the
previous
embodiment, the distal portion is precambered inwardly so that as the jaws 230
are
approximated, the contact surface 248 of respective opposing jaws contact
first,
leaving a space separating said intermediate portions 236 to allow for flexing
of the
jaws 230 relative to one another.
Turning now to Figures 32 and 33, there is illustrated a third
configuration of the Babcock clamp jaw in accordance with the present
invention.
The clamp jaw 260 includes a proximal portion 262, an intermediate portion 264
and
a distal portion 266. The proximal and distal portions of this embodiment of
the
Babcock clamp jaw 260 are formed in substantially tlve same configuration as
the
Babcock clamp jaw 200 disclosed above. The intermediate portion 264 is formed
~ 5 with the bend 268 located almost directly adjacent the near end of the
distal portion
266 such that only a relatively small percentage of the jaw structure is
disposed in the
distal portion in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the proximal portion
262. This
configuration allows for a Ionger intermediate portion 264 while maintaining
adequate
control and flexural characteristics of the jaw 260. Also, the .distal
portions 266 of
opposing jaw members 260 are formed or bent in correspondingly opposite
transverse
directions and do not substantially overlap as in jaws 200 and 230.
Figure 33 shows an instrument 270 incorporating jaws 260 in
conjunction with an extemal'ratchet 272 disposed between the stationary handle
274
and the pivoting handle 276. In the open position (shown in phantom) caroming
pin
24 disposed in coaxial inner rod 278 is in its distal most position caroming
opposing
jaws 260 apart. Compression of handles 274, 276 together causes inner rod 278
to
retract relative to outer tube 2$0 caroming the jaws 260 together such that
contacting
surfaces 282 of the distal portion 266 of jaw 260 come in contact. Further
CA 02428706 2003-05-22
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compression of the handles 274, 276 causes the distal portion 266 to flex
relative to
the proximal portion 262 through intermediate portion 264. The external
ratchet 272
permits the jaws 260 to be. locked in preselected degrees of closure and/or
compression.
While the above embodiments have been described in the context of a
Babcock clamp jaw, other jaw structure may advantageously be formed in this
fashion
and in these configurations. Examples of other appropriate jaw structures
include
graspers, dissectors, forceps, etc.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled
in the
art that various modifications in form and detail may be made therein without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly,
modifications such
as those suggested above, but not limited thereto, are to be considered within
the
scope of the invention.
25
35
