# US 10,441,305 B2 · Surgical forceps

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- Number: US 10,441,305 B2
- Document ID: US10441305B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/666,142
- Filed: 2017-08-01
- Published: 2018-02-22
- Granted: 2019-10-15
- Earliest claimed: 2016-08-18
- Assignees: Covidien LP
- Applicants: Covidien LP
- Inventors: John J. Kappus; David N. Heard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441305B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/2841: {Handles}
- A61B 17/2909: {Handles}
- A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements
- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 34/70: {Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery}
- A61B 90/03: {Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety}
- A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston}
- A61B 2017/2913: {cams or guiding means}
- A61B 2017/2915: {arcuate shaped guiding means}
- A61B 2017/2923: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion}
- A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a housing, a handle, an elongated shaft, an end effector assembly, a drive assembly, a support, a roller, and an extension depending from the handle. The end effector assembly includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other jaw member. The drive assembly includes a drive bar extending at least partially through the elongated shaft such that longitudinal translation of the drive bar causes movement of the jaw members. The extension includes a proximal surface and a channel defined therein. The proximal surface is configured to contact a portion of the drive assembly such that movement of the handle with respect to the housing causes longitudinal translation of the drive bar. The channel is positioned for mechanical engagement by the roller.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing;
a handle pivotably connected to the housing;
an elongated shaft extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis;
an end effector assembly disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated shaft, the end effector assembly including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, at least one of the jaw members movable with respect to the other jaw member from a spaced-apart position to a position closer to the other jaw member for grasping tissue;
a drive assembly disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive assembly including a drive bar extending at least partially through the elongated shaft such that longitudinal translation of the drive bar causes the jaw members to move between the spaced-apart position and the closer position for grasping tissue;
a support mechanically coupled to the housing;
a roller rotationally supported by the support; and
an extension depending from the handle, the extension including a proximal surface and a channel defined therein, the proximal surface configured to contact a portion of the drive assembly such that movement of the handle with respect to the housing causes longitudinal translation of the drive bar, the channel positioned for mechanical engagement by the roller.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the roller is positioned at least partially within the channel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the roller is positioned at least partially within the channel when the handle pivots toward the housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the roller is positioned at least partially within the channel when the handle pivots away from the housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the channel includes a proximal wall and a distal wall.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein engagement between the channel and the roller limits the amount of longitudinal movement of the extension with respect to the housing.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein engagement between the channel and the roller limits the amount of longitudinal movement of the drive bar with respect to the housing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein engagement between the channel and the roller limits the amount of longitudinal movement of the drive bar with respect to the housing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 4)

The surgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein engagement between the channel and the roller limits the amount of longitudinal movement of the drive bar with respect to the housing.

### Claim 10

A method of manipulating tissue with a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
pivoting a handle of the surgical instrument toward a housing of the surgical instrument such that an extension depending from the handle engages a portion of a drive assembly;
longitudinally translating a drive bar of the drive assembly in response to the engagement between the extension and the portion of the drive assembly; and
engaging a channel defined in the extension with a roller supported at least partially within the housing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method according to claim 10, wherein engaging the channel with the roller occurs while the extending engages the portion of the drive assembly.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method according to claim 10, further comprising moving a first jaw member of the surgical instrument from a spaced-apart position to a position closer to a second jaw member for grasping tissue.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method according to claim 12, wherein moving the jaw members occurs as a result of pivoting the handle toward the housing.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method according to claim 10, further comprising pivoting the handle away from the housing.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method according to claim 14, wherein engaging the channel with the roller occurs while the handle is pivoted toward the housing and while the handle is pivoted away from the housing.