Surgical instruments for in vivo assembly
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorJames T. Spivey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of assembling a surgical instrument inside a patient and a device likewise configured to be assembled in vivo through a body wall of the patient is provided. In at least one embodiment, the method includes delivering an end effector to a body cavity of the patient, inserting a shaft into the body cavity, and connecting the shaft to the end effector inside the body cavity. In such embodiments, the end effector can be operably engaged with a flexible member, wherein pulling the flexible member can cause the end effector to move toward the shaft such that the end effector connects to the shaft.
Claims20
A surgical kit, comprising:
- an end effector configured to be delivered into a body cavity of a patient;
- a flexible member extending from said end effector;
- and
- a cannula comprising:
- a first end configured to be inserted into the body cavity, said first end comprising a connector portion configured to be releasably attached to said end effector;
- a second end;
- and
- an aperture, wherein said aperture is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said flexible member.
A surgical instrument, comprising:
- an end effector configured to be delivered into a body cavity of a patient through a natural opening in the patient;
- an elongate flexible member connected to said end effector;
- a cannula comprising:
- a first end configured to be inserted into the body cavity through a second opening in the patient, said first end comprising a connector portion configured to be releasably attached to said end effector;
- a second end;
- and
- an aperture, wherein said aperture is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of said flexible member;
- and
- an actuation shaft comprising an attachment portion, wherein said attachment portion is configured to be releasably attached to said end effector such that operation of said actuation shaft can operate said end effector.
A method of assembling a surgical instrument inside a patient, said method comprising the steps of:
- delivering an end effector to a body cavity of the patient, wherein said end effector is operably engaged with a flexible member;
- inserting a shaft into the body cavity;
- pulling said flexible member relative to said shaft such said end effector moves relative to said shaft;
- and
- connecting said shaft to said end effector inside the body cavity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.