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US 12,543,998 B2Granted
Conductive instrument
AssigneeMedtronic Xomed, Inc.
InventorsMatthew L. Cantwell, John R. Prisco, Matthias Bissinger, Benedikt Florian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an instrument assembly for a selected procedure. The procedure may include a dissection and neural monitoring. The instrument may be insulated to allow for a selected and precise electrical conductive path.
Claims13
A system for monopolar nerve monitoring, comprising:
- a first handle member having a first side and a second side extending from a first end to a second end;
- a second handle member having a third side and a fourth side extending from a third end to a fourth end;
- a single signal connection formed with the first handle member;
- a hinge region defined by the first side of the first handle member positioned near and facing the third side of the second handle member, wherein the opposite second sides and fourth sides are exposed and facing away from the hinge region and each other;
- a hinge assembly extending between the first handle member and the second handle member in the hinge region, including:
- an elongated member positioned in a first bore of the first handle member in the hinge region and a second bore in the second handle member in the hinge region, wherein the elongated member is configured to allow movement of the first handle member relative to the second handle member,
- a first washer in electrical contact with the elongated member and at least one of the first handle member and the second handle member, the first washer including a bore defined by an inner wall, the inner wall configured to engage and bias the elongated member upon engagement thereof, and
- a biasing member including first and second radial cuts defined in the first washer forming a finger spring separated from the first washer, the finger spring moveable to bias against the elongated member upon engagement thereof, the finger spring extending inwardly past the inner wall into the bore;
- and
- an electrically insulating material coating the first handle member and the second handle member from the first end and third end to the respective second end and fourth end;
- wherein the hinge mechanism forms an electrical connection between the single connection and both the second end and the fourth end such that a first distal tip at the second end and a second distal tip at the fourth end are both electrically connected to the single signal connection, and
- wherein the finger spring is moveable during the movement of the elongated member upon actuation of the first and second handles to provide and maintain an additional biasing contact with the elongated member to ensure electrical continuity.
9 more elements
A system for monopolar nerve monitoring, comprising:
- a first handle member having a first side and a second side extending from a first end to a second end;
- a second handle member having a third side and a fourth side extending from a third end to a fourth end;
- a single connection formed with the first handle member;
- a hinge region defined by the first side of the first handle member positioned near third side of the second handle member;
- a hinge mechanism extending between the first handle member and the second handle member;
- an elongated member positioned in a first bore defined in the hinge region of the first handle member and a second bore defined in the hinge region of the second handle;
- a first washer in electrical contact with the elongated member and at least one of the first handle member and the second handle member, the first washer including a bore defined by an inner wall, the inner wall configured to engage and bias the elongated member upon engagement thereof, and
- a biasing member including first and second radial cuts defined in the first washer forming a finger spring separated from the first washer, the finger spring moveable to bias against the elongated member upon engagement thereof, the finger spring extending inwardly past the inner wall into the bore;
- and
- wherein the second side of the first handle member and the fourth side of the second handle member are substantially exposed relative to the hinge region;
- wherein the hinge mechanism forms an electrical connection between the single connection and both the second end and the fourth end;
- and
- wherein the finger spring is moveable during the movement of the elongated member upon actuation of the first and second handles to provide and maintain an additional biasing contact with the elongated member to ensure electrical continuity.
10 more elements
A method of monopolar nerve monitoring with a hinged instrument having a first handle member and a second handle member, comprising:
- providing a first handle member having an electrically insulating coating extending from a first end toward a second end, wherein a first tip at the second end is exposed;
- providing a second handle member having an electrically insulating coating extending from a third end toward a fourth end, wherein a second tip at the fourth end is exposed;
- providing a single electrical connection at the first end or the third end;
- and forming an electrical path between the first handle member and the second handle member at a hinge region between the first handle member and the second handle member;
- connecting the first handle member and the second handle member with an elongated member;
- and
- positioning a first washer in contact with the elongated member and at least one of the first handle member or the second handle member, the first washer including a bore defined by an inner wall, the inner wall configured to engage and bias the elongated member upon engagement thereof;
- and
- providing a biasing member including first and second radial cuts defined in the first washer forming a finger spring separated from the first washer, the finger spring moveable to bias against the elongated member upon engagement thereof, the finger spring moveable during the movement of the elongated member upon actuation of the first and second handles to provide and maintain an additional biasing contact with the elongated member to ensure electrical continuity, the finger spring extending inwardly past the inner wall into the bore.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.