Needle drivers and methods of manufacture and use thereof
AssigneeErgosurgical Group Corp.
InventorLuis Jose Almodovar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A needle driver can include a first jaw hosting a first shaft and a second jaw hosting a second shaft. The first shaft hosts a first roller and a first set of teeth. The second shaft hosts a second roller and a second set of teeth. The second jaw moves relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position. The first set of teeth meshes with the second set of teeth when the second jaw is in the closed position such that (a) the first set of teeth can drive the second set of teeth and (b) the first roller and the second roller can drive a needle therebetween when the first set of teeth drives the second set of teeth.
Claims23
A method comprising:
- causing a device to be inserted into a first object, wherein the device includes a first jaw hosting a first shaft and a second jaw hosting a second shaft, wherein the first shaft hosts a first roller and a first set of teeth, wherein the second shaft hosts a second roller and a second set of teeth, wherein the second jaw moves relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position, wherein the first set of teeth meshes with the second set of teeth when the second jaw is in the closed position such that (a) the first set of teeth can drive the second set of teeth and (b) the first roller and the second roller can drive a needle therebetween when the first set of teeth drives the second set of teeth;
- and
- causing the first roller and the second roller to at least one of grasp, manipulate, dissect, isolate, or separate a second object within the first object when the second jaw is in the closed position;
- and
- coupling the first jaw to the second jaw when the second jaw is in the closed position via a mating mechanism located between the first shaft and the second shaft, wherein the mating mechanism includes a first retaining block supported by the first shaft and a second retaining block that opposes the first retaining block and is supported by the second shaft, and wherein the first retaining block is U-shaped and is configured to receive the second retaining block when the second jaw is in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.