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US 10,238,409 B2Granted
Surgical assembly with flexible arm
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsDavid A. Mire, Kelli C. Armstrong, Paul F. Wheeler, David L. Fiorella
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical assembly includes a tensioner having a first end and a second end. A tension member extends from the first end of the tensioner. A mounting member is connected to the second end of the tensioner. An arm extends from the first end of the tensioner and includes a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore configured for disposal of the tension member. Each link defines a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed in a configuration such that tensioning of the tension member interlocks the first mating surface with the second mating surface of an adjacent link in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation.
Claims20
A surgical assembly comprising:
- a tensioner;
- an elastic cable coupled to the tensioner;
- and
- an arm extending from the tensioner and including a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore, the cable extending through the axial bores, each link defining a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed in a configuration such that tensioning of the tension member interlocks the first mating surfaces with the second mating surfaces in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation,
- wherein a distal one of the links comprises a mating surface configured to interlock with one of the second mating surfaces and an end defining a cavity configured for receiving a surgical instrument, and
- wherein the distal one of the links comprises a pair of pawls that are pivotable relative to a body of the distal one of the links from a first configuration in which a portion of each of the pawls is positioned within the cavity to a second configuration in which the portions are spaced apart from the cavity.
3 more elements
A surgical assembly comprising:
- a tensioner;
- an elastic cable coupled to the tensioner;
- and
- an arm extending from the tensioner and including a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore, the cable extending through the axial bores, the links comprising a first link having a spherical configuration and a second link having an elongated cylindrical configuration, the first links each comprising a first mating surface configured to interlock with a reciprocal second mating surface of one of the second links, the first links each comprising a third mating surface opposite the first mating surface configured to interlock with a reciprocal fourth mating surface of one of the second links, the fourth mating surface being positioned opposite the second mating surface,
- wherein tensioning of the tension member interlocks the mating surfaces in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation, and
- wherein the tensioner further includes a ratchet mechanism connected with the body and the slide, the body being selectively fixable with the ratchet mechanism, the tensioner further including a trigger connected with the ratchet mechanism and configured for manipulation to fix and release the body with the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet mechanism extending from a front surface of the slide and passing through a slot of the body.
3 more elements
A surgical assembly comprising:
- a tensioner;
- an elastic cable coupled to the tensioner;
- and
- an arm extending from the tensioner and including a series of relatively moveable links that define an axial bore, the cable extending through the axial bores, each link defining a first mating surface and a second mating surface disposed in a configuration such that tensioning of the tension member interlocks the first mating surfaces with the second mating surfaces in the series to selectively fix the links in a selected orientation, the first mating surfaces each having a spherical dome configuration and the second mating surfaces each defining a frustro-conical cavity,
- wherein a distal one of the links comprises a mating surface configured to interlock with one of the second mating surfaces and an end defining a cavity configured for receiving a surgical instrument, the distal one of the links comprising a pair of pawls that are pivotable relative to a body of the distal one of the links from a first configuration in which a portion of each of the pawls is positioned within the cavity to a second configuration in which the portions are spaced apart from the cavity,
- wherein the tensioner further includes a ratchet mechanism connected with the body and the slide, the body being selectively fixable with the ratchet mechanism, the tensioner further including a trigger connected with the ratchet mechanism and configured for manipulation to fix and release the body with the ratchet mechanism, the ratchet mechanism extending from a front surface of the slide and passing through a slot of the body.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.